Introduction
On April 22, 2024 [1] [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9], DISA Global Solutions [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8] [9], a prominent US-based provider of employee screening services, disclosed a significant data breach [1] [4]. This incident compromised the personally identifiable information (PII) of millions [1] [6], raising serious concerns about data security and privacy.
Description
On April 22, 2024 [1] [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9], DISA Global Solutions [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [8] [9], a US-based employee screening services provider [6], reported a significant data breach that compromised the personally identifiable information (PII) of approximately 3,332,750 individuals [1]. The breach, which began on February 9, 2024 [3] [6] [8], went undetected for over two months and involved unauthorized access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers (SSNs) [1] [2] [6] [7], financial account details [1] [2] [4] [5] [6], and government-issued identification documents [1] [4] [8]. This incident specifically affected an estimated 3,332,750 people, including over 360,000 residents of Massachusetts and more than 15,000 residents of Maine. Although not all data points were present for every affected individual [1] [2], the exfiltration of SSNs raises significant concerns, as they can be easily exploited for identity theft, fraud [1] [4] [9], and corporate espionage [4].
Upon discovering the breach [1], DISA initiated an internal investigation and engaged third-party forensic experts to assess the extent of the intrusion. The company began notifying affected individuals on February 21, 2024 [1], providing details about the compromised information [1]. In response to the breach [2], DISA is offering 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services through Experian [9], with instructions for enrollment included in written communications [9]. A dedicated call center has also been established to address questions and concerns related to the incident [2].
With over 55,000 customers [6], including a significant portion of Fortune 500 companies [6], DISA is particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks due to the sensitive nature of the information it handles. The organization has taken immediate action to secure its network, alert law enforcement and state authorities [9], restore its systems [2], and implement enhanced security measures [1] [2]. However, experts have expressed concerns regarding the lack of clarity on the root cause of the breach and the effectiveness of DISA’s security measures, raising questions about the organization’s cyber resilience. The identity of the attackers and the method of compromise remain unknown [1] [8].
Affected individuals are advised to monitor their financial accounts and credit reports for signs of misuse [1], place fraud alerts or credit freezes with major credit bureaus [9], and report any fraudulent activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local authorities [9]. They should remain vigilant against potential scams and identity theft [9].
Conclusion
The data breach at DISA Global Solutions underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures, especially for organizations handling sensitive information. While DISA has taken steps to mitigate the impact, the incident highlights vulnerabilities that need addressing to prevent future breaches. Affected individuals must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their personal information, while DISA and similar organizations must enhance their security protocols to safeguard against evolving cyber threats.
References
[1] https://www.biometricupdate.com/202502/employee-screening-company-breach-exposed-pii-of-more-than-3-million
[2] https://hackread.com/disa-global-solutions-data-breach-records-including-ssns/
[3] https://www.itpro.com/security/data-breaches/disa-data-breach
[4] https://news.clearancejobs.com/2025/02/25/data-breach-of-disa-global-solutions-impacts-three-million-individuals/
[5] https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/disa-global-solutions-data-breach-2779802/
[6] https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/us-employee-screening-firm-disa-hit-with-data-breach-affecting-over-33-million-people-145658681.html
[7] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/disa-global-solutions-confirms/
[8] https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/25/us-employee-screening-giant-disa-says-hackers-accessed-data-of-more-than-3m-people/
[9] https://cyberinsider.com/data-breach-at-disa-global-solutions-exposes-3-3-million-americans/
