FTV Employment Services, an industrial technology company based in Everett, Washington, recently reported a data breach involving the unauthorized access of personal and sensitive information. The breach occurred between January 25, 2023, and November 6, 2023, after two separate cybersecurity incidents involving unauthorized third parties. FTV detected unusual activity within its network environment in October and November 2023, prompting an immediate investigation. External cybersecurity experts assisted in thoroughly examining the incidents, which revealed that the unauthorized third parties gained access to certain files containing sensitive data, including personal information of Maine residents.
The personal information exposed in the breach includes a variety of sensitive identifiers such as full names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, and birth certificate numbers. In addition to these, financial account numbers, credit and debit card numbers, and health insurance information were also potentially compromised. After completing a review of the affected files on September 3, 2024, FTV confirmed that the personal data of several Maine residents was accessed by the unauthorized parties. The company has been working diligently to notify the impacted individuals and offer assistance to mitigate any potential risks.
FTV began notifying the affected Maine residents on October 3, 2024, in accordance with applicable laws. In addition to the notification letters, the company is providing 24 months of complimentary credit monitoring services to those impacted. FTV has also established a dedicated toll-free support line to answer any questions and assist individuals in managing the potential consequences of the breach. The notification includes best practices for safeguarding personal data, such as regularly reviewing financial statements for fraudulent activity and using fraud alerts or credit freezes.
To address the breach and prevent future incidents, FTV has taken a number of proactive measures. These include working closely with forensic consultants to investigate and contain the breaches, enhancing its security monitoring capabilities, and strengthening technical controls to protect personal information. FTV has also notified federal law enforcement authorities about the breach and is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of its customers’ personal data moving forward. The company remains focused on preventing similar incidents and has made significant improvements to its network security to safeguard personal information in the future.
