A Tale of Three Breaches

In the world of information security, breaches have shifted from being rare, shocking events to an all-too-common reality. Each new incident seems to follow its own path of chaos, hitting well-known organizations in ways that are often as surprising as they are devastating. This article examines some of the most infamous cases where seemingly minor vulnerabilities grew into massive crises: from the compromise of an HVAC vendor’s credentials to third-party access that went dangerously unchecked. We’ll unpack how a single weak link can unravel even the most fortified defenses, allowing attackers to infiltrate, escalate, and expose sensitive data on a vast scale. By tracing these incidents, we gain insight into how small missteps can ignite network-wide breaches and offer hard-earned lessons for staying one step ahead of potential threats.

Target: Vendor Blast Radius

It was just before the holiday shopping season in 2013, and customers were flocking to Target stores across the U.S., excited for sales and gift shopping. But behind the scenes, something far less festive was happening. Hackers had quietly infiltrated Target’s network through an unlikely source: a small third-party HVAC vendor. And by the time anyone noticed, the damage was done.

The Target data breach of 2013 was one of the largest and most alarming retail breaches in history. Personal and payment information for over 40 million customers was compromised, all traced back to a seemingly tiny flaw—an HVAC vendor’s compromised credentials. This vendor had remote access to Target’s network, and when hackers stole those login credentials, it was like handing over a “master key” to Target’s data vault. Without strict network boundaries, the HVAC system was connected to payment systems, creating a clear path for hackers.

For Target, the impact was immediate and costly, with $252 million in direct losses and a lasting reputational hit. The biggest lesson? Always evaluate the “blast radius” of a single vendor breach.

When Access Goes Too Far

When Target gave its HVAC vendor access, it was for basic upkeep—monitoring energy and environmental systems. Unfortunately, this access wasn’t confined to those areas alone. Without strong network segmentation, the vendor’s login acted as a ‘master key’ to Target’s wider network, allowing hackers to slip through unnoticed and install malware on Target’s point-of-sale (POS) systems. The malware stole credit card information in real-time, exposing millions of customers’ data.

If the HVAC vendor’s access had been restricted strictly to environmental systems, the hackers would have been locked out of POS systems entirely. This incident highlights a crucial point: in today’s interconnected business world, third-party access must be tightly restricted. Every new partner or tool is a potential risk. Always ask yourself: if this vendor’s access is compromised, what else is at risk?

Small Risks, Big Threats

The Target breach taught a hard truth: every vendor, no matter how seemingly peripheral, can become a backdoor for hackers. Protecting sensitive data means treating every third-party access point as a potential vulnerability. Contractual protections may feel reassuring, but every security practitioner knows they’re about as effective as a “no trespassing” sign.

In addition to network segmentation, regular risk assessments and strict controls are essential. With tight network controls, ongoing monitoring, and regular access reviews, companies can prevent any single point of entry from putting the entire network at risk.

Today, Target is a stronger, more security-conscious company. But the cost of that lesson was high, and it remains a cautionary tale for every business. In our interconnected world, a weak link anywhere in the chain can expose everything. By keeping third-party risks tightly managed, businesses can build not just secure networks, but resilient foundations of trust with their customers.

Equifax: Free as in freedom, not free from risk

It was just another day on the job, and I was combing through a list of software updates, scrolling past patches for our many tools. Then, there it was: an update for Apache Struts, an open-source framework we relied on. “High priority,” the release note read. I remember thinking, “I’ll get to it soon.” I had dozens of other tasks to tackle, and like everyone else, I figured it could wait just a bit longer. Three months later, the cost of procrastination became clear.

In 2017, Equifax was the victim of one of the most devastating data breaches in history. And it all started with a single missed patch on an open-source software library called Apache Struts. Like many companies, Equifax relied on this free, widely-used web application framework to manage some of its systems. Open-source libraries like these are everywhere, powering thousands of websites and applications around the world. These libraries offer a lifeline for developers, speeding up development with prebuilt code libraries, enhancing compatibility, and saving time and resources.

But as Equifax learned, open-source isn't set-it-and-forget-it when it comes to security. The Apache Software Foundation issued a security patch for a critical vulnerability in March 2017. This wasn’t just any minor update; this vulnerability was severe. It was classified as a “remote code execution” issue, meaning attackers could take control of a vulnerable system from anywhere in the world. Equifax, however, missed that patch. In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of credit reporting, updating open-source code may have seemed like a low priority. Within a few short months, cybercriminals exploited the unpatched flaw, gaining access to Equifax’s systems and ultimately compromising sensitive data belonging to 147.9 million Americans.

The aftermath was enormous. Equifax faced severe reputational damage, hefty regulatory fines, and class-action lawsuits from outraged consumers. They became an enduring example of the high cost of overlooking the security of open-source components. But why, really, did this breach happen? And what lessons can other companies learn to avoid a similar fate?

The Hidden Cost of Free

Open-source libraries are powerful tools because they offer ready-to-use, frequently updated, and often free resources that companies can use to build faster with distributed expertise. But because these libraries are freely available to all, they are equally available to hackers. As soon as a vulnerability is publicly identified and a patch released, attackers are quick to develop ways to exploit the flaw in unpatched systems.

When companies adopt open-source libraries, they also inherit the risks associated with them. Without a solid process to monitor, update, and secure these libraries, any one of them can become a gateway for cybercriminals. It is critical that companies develop internal maintenance policies to update frequently. Even minor updates can seem insurmountable if you are years behind in patches.

In the end, the cost of not updating a single library in time became astronomical for Equifax. For other businesses, the lesson is clear: in a world where open-source software powers everything from small websites to critical enterprise applications, vigilance and a proactive approach to security are not optional – they’re essential. And the best way to avoid the mistakes of Equifax is to treat every open-source component as a potential vulnerability, securing it with the same care as anything built in-house.

British Airways: Destination Unknown

It is a busy Summer day at British Airways HQ. Passengers are booking flights, checking in, excited for far off destinations. But somewhere deep within the company’s digital infrastructure, a door is unintentionally left open, one created by a third-party supplier with less-than-perfect security. Soon, personal details and payment information for half a million customers leave through this open door to destinations unknown.

In 2018, British Airways (BA), one of the most recognizable and reputable names in the airline industry, was the victim of a major data breach. Hackers managed to steal sensitive information from approximately 500,000 customers, including names, addresses, and credit card details. The breach wasn’t due to a failure on BA’s direct part, but rather the result of a weakness in a third-party supplier’s security.

The real sting came afterward, when British Airways found itself not only facing the anger and distrust of its customers but also enduring a record-breaking fine from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). BA was penalized ￡20 million, marking one of the ICO’s largest penalties under the GDPR, which had recently come into effect. This incident didn’t just expose data; it exposed the real financial and reputational risks that come when companies fail to secure their third-party ecosystem.

The Consequences

The BA breach is a cautionary tale for businesses of all sizes. In today’s interconnected world, companies rely on a web of third- and fourth-party vendors and partners to provide essential services. These relationships help businesses improve functionality, speed up processes, and, ideally, enhance customer experience. But as BA learned, every vendor is a potential vulnerability. And in some cases, a single gap in security can result in a very public crisis.

When the ICO investigated, it found that British Airways hadn’t done enough to prevent such a breach. The fine wasn’t just for the hack itself; it was for failing to have robust security measures and thorough oversight over their third-party suppliers. This regulatory scrutiny was not only costly for BA but also damaging to its brand. Customers and news outlets alike criticized BA for failing to protect customer data, especially at a time when public trust in corporate data security was already fragile.

Trust is Hard to Regain

Beyond the regulatory fines, British Airways faced the monumental task of rebuilding customer trust. Decades of quality service were burned to a crisp. The breach cast a shadow over this one sterling brand, one that even significant marketing efforts couldn’t easily dispel. Customers place immense trust in companies to handle their data responsibly. Just like BA, your company's hard-earned trust could be torn away because a single vendor lacked proper security.

BA’s story serves as a reminder that while third-party vendors can enhance business operations, they also introduce additional layers of risk. Securing a company’s own data is only part of the equation. Every partner, every supplier, and every line of outsourced code is a potential vulnerability. And when one of those vulnerabilities is exploited, the consequences can be devastating.

In today’s world, third-party security is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s a business necessity. The cost of overlooking it isn’t measured just in fines and penalties, it’s measured in lost trust and future revenue.

The cost of regaining that trust among consumers and business partners is miniscule compared to the cost of implementing a third-party due diligence program. These programs don't require the labor intensive processes they used to. Automation means you can keep an eye on not just your riskiest partners, but all of them.

From Risks to Resilience

As we reflect on these high-profile breaches, one thing is clear: security is only as strong as its weakest link. From overlooked third-party access to lax segmentation between networks, each incident underscores the importance of vigilance at every level of an organization’s defenses. Regular audits, tighter control over vendor access, and proactive threat detection aren’t just best practices—they’re essential to staying resilient in the face of evolving threats. While we can’t eliminate every risk, we can learn from past breaches and build security frameworks that anticipate the unexpected. In the end, these lessons remind us that true security requires a blend of technology, strategy, and, most importantly, a culture committed to continuous improvement and awareness.