IBM
Company Details
Linkedin ID:
ibm
Website:
Employees number:
341,860
Number of followers:
19,057,383
NAICS:
5415
Industry Type:
Homepage:
ibm.com
IP Addresses:
0
Company ID:
IBM_3075085
Scan Status:
In-progress
IBM Company CyberSecurity Posture
ibm.com
At IBM, we do more than work. We create. We create as technologists, developers, and engineers. We create with our partners. We create with our competitors. If you're searching for ways to make the world work better through technology and infrastructure, software and consulting, then we want to work with you. We're here to help every creator turn their "what if" into what is. Let's create something that will change everything.
IBM A.I CyberSecurity Scoring
IBM Risk Score (AI oriented)Between 700 and 749
IBM
Updated:
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IBM Global Score (TPRM)XXXX
IBM
- Instant access to detailed risk factors
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- Vulnerabilities
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IBM Company CyberSecurity News & History
Past Incidents
13
Attack Types
3
IBM: Critical IBM API Connect Vulnerability Enables Authentication Bypass
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks
Description: IBM Patches Critical Authentication Bypass Flaw in API Connect (CVE-2025-13915) IBM has released security updates to address a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in its API Connect platform, tracked as CVE-2025-13915, which carries a CVSS score of 9.8. The flaw allows remote attackers to circumvent authentication controls, granting unauthorized access to affected applications without requiring user interaction or prior privileges. The vulnerability, classified under CWE-305 (Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness), stems from a failure in enforcing authentication checks under specific conditions. Exploitation could lead to a full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the affected IBM API Connect environment, exposing sensitive data and backend services. ### Affected Versions The flaw impacts the following IBM API Connect releases: - V10.0.8.0 through V10.0.8.5 - V10.0.11.0 IBM has released interim fixes (iFixes) for all affected versions and urges immediate patching. For organizations unable to apply updates immediately, a temporary mitigation involves disabling self-service sign-up on the Developer Portal, though this does not fully resolve the risk. ### Impact and Response Given the severity of the flaw, security teams are advised to prioritize remediation and review API access logs for signs of unauthorized activity. The vulnerability was published in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on December 26, 2025, with IBM listed as the source. IBM API Connect is widely used in enterprise environments for API management, developer access control, and secure integrations, making this flaw particularly high-risk for connected systems. Organizations running affected versions should assess their deployments and apply fixes without delay.
IBM: Cost of Data Breach
Breach
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks
Description: IBM Report Highlights AI-Driven Data Breaches as a Growing Threat to Organizations IBM’s latest *Cost of a Data Breach Report* reveals a critical vulnerability in the rush to adopt AI: a widening gap between AI governance and security oversight is leaving sensitive data exposed. The study, which analyzed 600 breached organizations across 17 industries worldwide, underscores the financial and operational risks of inadequate data protection in AI initiatives. Key findings include: - Operational disruption impacted 31% of breached organizations, with recovery costs and downtime straining resources. - AI supply chain and model attacks contributed to 60% of breaches, directly compromising data integrity. - Beyond immediate financial losses including regulatory fines breaches eroded customer trust, leading to reputational damage and churn. For chief data officers (CDOs) and data leaders, the report serves as a stark reminder of the dual challenge they face: accelerating AI-driven innovation while safeguarding data against evolving threats. The findings position data security not just as a technical issue but as a strategic leadership priority, demanding stronger governance frameworks to balance transformation with resilience.
IBM
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack without any consequences: Attack in which data is not compromised
Description: The incident involves a 403 Forbidden error, indicating unauthorized or restricted access to an IBM web resource. While the error itself does not explicitly detail a cybersecurity breach, such errors can sometimes mask underlying security issues like misconfigured access controls, failed authentication attempts, or potential probing by malicious actors. If this error persists across critical systems or is part of a larger pattern (e.g., repeated unauthorized access attempts), it could signal a vulnerability in IBM’s web infrastructure either an exposed endpoint, improper permission settings, or a precursor to a more severe attack (e.g., reconnaissance for a future breach). Without additional context, the direct impact remains unclear, but unauthorized access attempts or misconfigurations could lead to data exposure or system compromise if left unaddressed.
IBM
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack without any consequences: Attack in which data is not compromised
Description: The incident involves a 403 Forbidden error, which typically indicates unauthorized access to a restricted resource on IBM’s systems. While the error message itself does not disclose specifics, such incidents can stem from misconfigured access controls, failed authentication attempts, or potential probing by malicious actors (e.g., cyber attackers testing for vulnerabilities). If this error resulted from an external attack such as a brute-force attempt, credential stuffing, or exploitation of an exposed API it could signal a security weakness in IBM’s web infrastructure. However, the provided details do not confirm data compromise, system breach, or operational disruption. The lack of further context (e.g., logs, incident reports) limits assessment to a potential low-impact security event, though it warrants investigation to rule out targeted reconnaissance or early-stage cyber threats.
IBM (as referenced in the study with Palo Alto Networks)
Breach
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack limited on finance or reputation
Description: The article highlights systemic vulnerabilities in IBM’s research, where organizations managing an average of 83 security tools from 29 vendors face severe operational inefficiencies. Fragmented architectures exemplified by IBM’s findings create blind spots, with 95% of security leaders admitting redundant tools lack full integration. This sprawl leads to 72-day delays in threat detection and 84-day delays in containment, directly enabling attackers to exploit gaps. The study underscores that one-third of breaches originate from phishing, with Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) failing to block an average of 67.5 phishing emails per 100 mailboxes monthly. Default configurations, misaligned protections, and unintegrated tools amplify risks, resulting in missed handoffs, poor detection, and inflated response costs. The cumulative effect is reputational damage, financial loss from prolonged breaches, and erosion of customer trust, particularly for smaller teams lacking resources to maintain defenses. IBM’s own data reveals that non-consolidated environments suffer 101% lower ROI compared to unified platforms, signaling systemic exposure to sophisticated social engineering and evolving threat tactics that bypass static defenses.
IBM
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack threatening the organization's existence
Description: IBM experienced a cloud outage on Wednesday that lasted over four hours, causing users to be unable to access the console for managing their cloud resources or to open and view support cases. This outage repeated a similar incident from Tuesday. Additionally, IBM identified a critical-rated vulnerability in its QRadar threat detection and response tools and Cloud Pak for Security integration suite, which left a password in a configuration file. The vulnerability was scored 9.6 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, and IBM's security bulletin also advised of four other QRadar flaws.
IBM
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack without any consequences: Attack in which data is not compromised
Description: The incident involves a 403 Forbidden error on an IBM web page, indicating unauthorized access or a misconfigured security restriction. While the error itself does not explicitly detail a cyberattack, it may suggest a potential access control vulnerability or an unintended exposure of internal systems. If exploited, such vulnerabilities could allow attackers to probe deeper into IBM’s infrastructure, potentially leading to data exposure or service disruptions. The incident reference number (18.561e1202.1762842001.646fd49b) implies internal tracking, but no public details confirm data breaches or operational impact. However, unaddressed access flaws could escalate into broader security risks, including credential stuffing, API abuses, or reconnaissance for targeted attacks. IBM’s global scale means even minor vulnerabilities could have cascading effects if left unresolved.
IBM
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack without any consequences: Attack in which data is not compromised
Description: The incident involves a 403 Forbidden error, indicating unauthorized access to an IBM web resource (Incident ID: 18.ceb0f748.1757485191.4eafbe3). While the error itself does not confirm a breach, it suggests a potential misconfigured access control, exposed internal page, or failed security measure that could allow attackers to probe for vulnerabilities. If exploited, this could lead to unauthorized data exposure, credential harvesting, or further system infiltration. The lack of public details implies IBM may have mitigated the issue internally, but the incident highlights risks of improper access restrictions, which are common entry points for cyber attacks. Without evidence of data theft or operational disruption, the impact remains speculative but warrants classification as a security vulnerability requiring remediation to prevent escalation.
IBM (as referenced in the article)
Breach
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack threatening the organization's existence
Description: The article highlights IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, which underscores escalating financial and operational damages from breaches due to prolonged investigations, regulatory scrutiny, and unauthorized data exposure including leaks via ungoverned AI tools or improper file sharing. The report aligns with broader trends cited by ENISA (2024), noting persistent ransomware and data theft targeting sensitive corporate and customer data. These breaches exploit weak access controls, unclear permissions, and inadequate audit trails in virtual data rooms (VDRs), leading to costly remediation, reputational harm, and compliance violations. The financial impact is compounded by delayed incident response, where breaches involving high-value data (e.g., M&A documents, employee records, or customer PII) incur higher cleanup costs and regulatory penalties. The article implies that organizations using substandard VDRs face increased risk of insider threats, third-party leaks, or ransomware attacks, as demonstrated by real-world cases where unauthorized AI processing or mass downloads of sensitive files went undetected until post-breach forensics. The cumulative effect threatens deal integrity, investor trust, and long-term business viability, particularly in high-stakes sectors like finance, healthcare, or critical infrastructure.
IBM: Average Cost of a Healthcare Data Breach Falls to $7.42 Million
Breach
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack threatening the organization's existence
Description: Healthcare Data Breach Costs Drop, but U.S. Breaches Hit Record High in 2025 IBM’s *2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report* reveals a mixed landscape for cybersecurity costs, with global averages declining for the first time in five years while U.S. breaches reach unprecedented levels. The study, based on data from 600 organizations across 16 countries and 17 industries, found that the global average cost of a data breach fell to $4.44 million, down from previous years. However, U.S. breaches surged to a record $10.22 million, a 9.2% increase from 2024, driven by higher regulatory fines and escalation costs. Healthcare remained the most expensive industry for breaches, though costs dropped significantly $7.42 million on average, down $2.35 million year-over-year. Despite the decline, healthcare breaches still took the longest to detect and contain (279 days), five weeks longer than the global average of 241 days, a nine-year low. Key Trends and Findings: - Initial Access Vectors: Phishing (16%) overtook stolen credentials (10%) as the top attack method, with supply chain compromise (15%) ranking second. - Ransomware: While attacks persist, fewer organizations paid ransoms 63% refused in 2025, up from 59% in 2024. Ransom demands averaged $5.08 million, but law enforcement involvement (now at 40%, down from 52%) reduced breach costs by $1 million when utilized. - Operational Impact: Nearly all breached organizations faced disruptions, with most taking over 100 days to recover. Nearly half (49%) planned to offset costs by raising prices, with a third considering increases of 15% or more. - Cost Drivers: Detection and escalation ($1.47 million), lost business ($1.38 million), and post-breach response ($1.2 million) remained the largest expense categories, though all saw slight declines. - Mitigation Factors: DevSecOps (-$227K), AI/ML-driven insights (-$223K), and security analytics (-$212K) were the most effective at reducing costs. Conversely, supply chain breaches (+$227K), security complexity (+$207K), and shadow IT (+$200K) unauthorized software or devices drove costs higher. Organizations with high shadow IT levels faced $670K more in breach expenses. - AI Risks: AI adoption outpaced governance, with 97% of breached organizations lacking proper AI access controls. 13% of organizations reported AI-related security incidents, while 16% of breaches involved attacker-used AI, primarily for phishing (37%) and deepfakes (35%). - Investment Shifts: Only 49% of organizations plan to increase cybersecurity spending in the next year, down from 66% in 2024, with less than half prioritizing AI-driven solutions. The report underscores persistent vulnerabilities in healthcare, the financial toll of delayed breach responses, and the growing risks of ungoverned AI and shadow IT in enterprise environments.
International Business Machines Corporation
Breach
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks
Description: The California Office of the Attorney General disclosed that IBM suffered an unauthorized access incident affecting the Janssen CarePath platform, a database containing personal information. The breach was reported on September 22, 2023, though the exact date of the intrusion remains undisclosed. While the specifics of the compromised data were not detailed in the report, the incident involved the exposure of personal information, likely belonging to customers or patients associated with the platform. Given the nature of Janssen CarePath a service supporting healthcare-related financial and treatment assistance the breach raises concerns about potential misuse of sensitive health or personally identifiable information (PII). IBM has not publicly confirmed the scale of the breach or whether the exposed data was exfiltrated, but the involvement of a government authority suggests regulatory scrutiny and possible compliance implications under data protection laws like CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) or HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) if health data was impacted.
IBM (Healthcare Sector Example)
Cyber Attack
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack that could injure or kill people
Description: The IBM report highlights the escalating financial toll of data breaches in the healthcare industry, which consistently ranks as the most expensive sector for such incidents. Between May 2020 and February 2025, the average cost of a healthcare data breach surged to $10.93 million USD, the highest across all industries. These breaches often involve the exposure of highly sensitive patient records, including medical histories, treatment details, and personally identifiable information (PII). A typical incident in this sector may stem from a cyber attack such as ransomware or targeted hacking where threat actors exploit vulnerabilities in hospital IT systems or third-party vendors.The consequences extend beyond financial losses, disrupting critical healthcare services. For instance, a ransomware attack could encrypt patient databases, delaying emergency treatments, surgeries, or diagnostic procedures. In extreme cases, such disruptions have been linked to increased patient mortality rates. The breach’s ripple effects also erode public trust, trigger regulatory fines (e.g., HIPAA violations), and necessitate costly remediation efforts, including system overhauls and credit monitoring for affected individuals.Given the life-or-death stakes of healthcare data integrity, these breaches are classified among the most severe, often involving criminal hackers or state-sponsored groups targeting intellectual property (e.g., drug patents) or aiming to destabilize regional health infrastructure.
IBM
Vulnerability
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack with significant impact with internal employee data leaks
Description: Four zero-day vulnerabilities impacted an IBM security product after the company refused to patch bugs following a private bug disclosure attempt. The bugs impacted the IBM Data Risk Manager (IDRM). It is an enterprise security tool that aggregates feeds from vulnerability scanning tools and other risk management tools to let admins investigate security issues. The compromise of product led to a full-scale company compromise, as the tool had credentials to access other security tools. It contained information about critical vulnerabilities that affect the company.
IBM Company Scoring based on AI Models
Cyber Incidents Likelihood 3 - 6 - 9 months
A.I Risk Score Likelihood 3 - 6 - 9 months
Underwriter Stats for IBM
Incidents vs IT Services and IT Consulting Industry Average (This Year)
No incidents recorded for IBM in 2026.
Incidents vs All-Companies Average (This Year)
No incidents recorded for IBM in 2026.
Incident Types IBM vs IT Services and IT Consulting Industry Avg (This Year)
No incidents recorded for IBM in 2026.
Incident History — IBM (X = Date, Y = Severity)
IBM cyber incidents detection timeline including parent company and subsidiaries
IBM Company Subsidiaries
At IBM, we do more than work. We create. We create as technologists, developers, and engineers. We create with our partners. We create with our competitors. If you're searching for ways to make the world work better through technology and infrastructure, software and consulting, then we want to work with you. We're here to help every creator turn their "what if" into what is. Let's create something that will change everything.
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IBM CyberSecurity News
January 15, 2026 06:22 PM
FalconStor Launches Habanero to Guard IBM Power Data
The company said its new SaaS product will integrate with existing IBM Power workloads to simplify off-site data protection.
January 13, 2026 11:48 AM
IBM and Palo Alto Networks team up for AI security
IBM collaborated with Palo Alto Networks on a new framework designed to tackle AI security risks. The Rapid AI Security Assessment is...
December 31, 2025 08:00 AM
Critical CVSS 9.8 Flaw Found in IBM API Connect Authentication System
IBM disclosed a critical CVSS 9.8 authentication bypass in IBM API Connect that could allow remote access; patches are now available.
December 26, 2025 08:00 AM
Seven cybersecurity trends next year, as seen by IBM: only two are not directly related to AI
IBM predicts that nearly all of the seven major cybersecurity trends for 2026 will center on Artificial Intelligence.
December 22, 2025 08:00 AM
Cyber Frontlines: Greg Tkaczyk
Learn more about our team of experts who closely monitor and assess cybersecurity trends and insights, including discovering and ethically...
December 22, 2025 08:00 AM
Major IBM training programme to boost India’s AI, cybersecurity and quantum skills
The initiative will span students and adult learners across schools, universities and vocational training ecosystems, with partnerships planned...
December 19, 2025 08:00 AM
IBM commits to skill 5 million Indian youth in AI, Cybersecurity & Quantum by 2030
IBM commits to skill 5 million Indian youth in AI, Cybersecurity & Quantum by 2030 ... New Delhi, India — December 19, 2025: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today...
December 19, 2025 08:00 AM
IBM has committed to skill five million learners across India in AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing by 2030, marking a major expansion of its workforce development efforts in the country. Announced in Delhi, the initiative will be delivered through IBM Skil
December 19, 2025 08:00 AM
IBM has committed to skill 5 million learners across India by 2030 in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing, marking one of the largest technology education initiatives announced in the country. Unveiled in New Delhi, the programme is ai
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore insights on cybersecurity incidents, risk posture, and Rankiteo's assessments.
IBM CyberSecurity History Information
Official Website of IBM
The official website of IBM is http://www.ibm.com.
IBM’s AI-Generated Cybersecurity Score
According to Rankiteo, IBM’s AI-generated cybersecurity score is 711, reflecting their Moderate security posture.
How many security badges does IBM’ have ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM currently holds 0 security badges, indicating that no recognized compliance certifications are currently verified for the organization.
Has IBM been affected by any supply chain cyber incidents ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM has not been affected by any supply chain cyber incidents, and no incident IDs are currently listed for the organization.
Does IBM have SOC 2 Type 1 certification ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM is not certified under SOC 2 Type 1.
Does IBM have SOC 2 Type 2 certification ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM does not hold a SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
Does IBM comply with GDPR ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM is not listed as GDPR compliant.
Does IBM have PCI DSS certification ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM does not currently maintain PCI DSS compliance.
Does IBM comply with HIPAA ?
According to Rankiteo, IBM is not compliant with HIPAA regulations.
Does IBM have ISO 27001 certification ?
According to Rankiteo,IBM is not certified under ISO 27001, indicating the absence of a formally recognized information security management framework.
Industry Classification of IBM
IBM operates primarily in the IT Services and IT Consulting industry.
Number of Employees at IBM
IBM employs approximately 341,860 people worldwide.
Subsidiaries Owned by IBM
IBM presently has no subsidiaries across any sectors.
IBM’s LinkedIn Followers
IBM’s official LinkedIn profile has approximately 19,057,383 followers.
NAICS Classification of IBM
IBM is classified under the NAICS code 5415, which corresponds to Computer Systems Design and Related Services.
IBM’s Presence on Crunchbase
No, IBM does not have a profile on Crunchbase.
IBM’s Presence on LinkedIn
Yes, IBM maintains an official LinkedIn profile, which is actively utilized for branding and talent engagement, which can be accessed here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibm.
Cybersecurity Incidents Involving IBM
As of January 25, 2026, Rankiteo reports that IBM has experienced 13 cybersecurity incidents.
Number of Peer and Competitor Companies
IBM has an estimated 38,514 peer or competitor companies worldwide.
What types of cybersecurity incidents have occurred at IBM ?
Incident Types: The types of cybersecurity incidents that have occurred include Vulnerability, Breach and Cyber Attack.
What was the total financial impact of these incidents on IBM ?
Total Financial Loss: The total financial loss from these incidents is estimated to be $4.44 million.
How does IBM detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents ?
Detection and Response: The company detects and responds to cybersecurity incidents through an remediation measures with health checks of resources and contacting ibm cloud support, and communication strategy with messages sent to customers and apology issued by ibm japan, and remediation measures with replatforming (consolidating security tools), remediation measures with api-centric tool integration, remediation measures with adaptive capabilities (ml/behavioral analysis), remediation measures with automation for shared threat intelligence, and communication strategy with expert insights (techradar pro article), communication strategy with awareness of tool sprawl risks, and enhanced monitoring with continuous roi measurement (time-to-detect/respond), and remediation measures with verify url correctness, remediation measures with check access permissions, remediation measures with review waf/acl rules, remediation measures with clear cache/cookies, and recovery measures with restore access via correct credentials/permissions, recovery measures with update security policies if misconfigured, and communication strategy with reported to california office of the attorney general, and remediation measures with verify url correctness, remediation measures with check case sensitivity, remediation measures with review access permissions, remediation measures with inspect waf/acl rules if internal, and recovery measures with redirect users to ibm homepage, recovery measures with provide alternative contact methods for support, and containment measures with sso with mfa, containment measures with ip allow/deny lists, containment measures with session timeouts, containment measures with device checks, containment measures with granular role-based permissions, containment measures with document watermarking, containment measures with print/download controls, containment measures with copy-paste suppression, containment measures with browser-only viewers, containment measures with built-in redaction, containment measures with drm for files, containment measures with ai boundaries, and remediation measures with tamper-evident audit logs, remediation measures with anomaly detection alerts, remediation measures with region-pinned data storage, remediation measures with third-party security certifications, and recovery measures with backup restoration protocols, recovery measures with self-contained audit archives, and enhanced monitoring with user activity analytics, enhanced monitoring with behavioral anomaly flags (e.g., rapid page views, mass downloads), and remediation measures with suggested actions provided to users: verify url spelling, check case sensitivity, or navigate from the ibm homepage., and remediation measures with verify url correctness, remediation measures with check access permissions, remediation measures with review waf/acl rules, remediation measures with clear cache/cookies, and recovery measures with restore access via it support, recovery measures with update security policies if misconfigured, and containment measures with disable self-service sign-up on the developer portal (temporary mitigation), and remediation measures with apply interim fixes (ifixes) for affected versions (10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5 and 10.0.11.0), and enhanced monitoring with review api access logs for signs of unauthorized activity, and law enforcement notified with 40% of cases (down from 52%)..
Incident Details
Can you provide details on each incident ?
Title: IBM Data Risk Manager Zero-Day Vulnerabilities
Description: Four zero-day vulnerabilities impacted the IBM Data Risk Manager (IDRM) after the company refused to patch bugs following a private bug disclosure attempt. The compromise of the product led to a full-scale company compromise, as the tool had credentials to access other security tools.
Type: Zero-Day Exploit
Attack Vector: Unpatched Vulnerability
Vulnerability Exploited: Four zero-day vulnerabilities in IBM Data Risk Manager
Title: IBM Cloud Outage and Critical Vulnerability
Description: IBM experienced a cloud outage and a critical-rated vulnerability in its QRadar threat detection and response tools and Cloud Pak for Security integration suite.
Date Detected: 2023-05-21
Date Resolved: 2023-05-21
Type: Outage and Vulnerability
Vulnerability Exploited: CVE-2025-2502
Title: Security Architecture Bloat and Fragmentation Leading to Increased Cybersecurity Risks
Description: The average organization now manages 83 security tools from 29 vendors, leading to rising complexity, tool sprawl, and mounting pressure on security teams. This fragmentation creates blind spots, slower threat detection (72 days longer), and weaker response times (84 days longer to contain threats), making it easier for attackers to exploit gaps. Traditional tools like Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) fail to block modern phishing attacks, with an average of 67.5 phishing emails evading SEGs per 100 mailboxes monthly. Smaller organizations are disproportionately affected, facing 7.5× more missed attacks than larger counterparts due to understaffing and misconfigured tools. Attack vectors include phishing (1/3 of breaches per Verizon DBIR), vendor scams, credential theft, and image-based phishing, which bypass static filtering and signature-based detection.
Date Publicly Disclosed: 2023-10-04T00:00:00Z
Type: Operational Risk
Attack Vector: Phishing (Email)Vendor ScamsCredential TheftImage-Based PhishingSocial Engineering
Vulnerability Exploited: Fragmented Security Tool IntegrationDefault Configurations in Security ToolsLack of API-Centric Threat Intelligence SharingStatic Filtering in SEGsSignature-Based Detection Gaps
Title: None
Description: IBM's report on the average cost of a data breach worldwide from May 2020 to February 2025, segmented by industry. The data highlights financial impacts across various sectors, emphasizing the escalating costs associated with cyber incidents over time.
Date Publicly Disclosed: 2025-08-12
Type: Data Breach Cost Analysis
Title: None
Description: A 403 Forbidden error was encountered when attempting to access an IBM page. Incident Number: 18.ceb0f748.1757485191.4eafbe3. The page could not be displayed, possibly due to access restrictions, misconfigured permissions, or a security measure (e.g., WAF blocking, IP restriction, or authentication failure).
Type: access_denial
Title: Unauthorized Access to Personal Information on IBM's Janssen CarePath Platform
Description: The California Office of the Attorney General reported that International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) experienced unauthorized access to personal information in their database used on the Janssen CarePath platform.
Date Publicly Disclosed: 2023-09-22
Type: Data Breach / Unauthorized Access
Title: None
Description: A 403 Forbidden error was encountered when attempting to access an IBM page. Incident Number: 18.561e1202.1761373223.528ac1d8. The page could not be displayed, possibly due to access restrictions, misconfigured permissions, or a security measure (e.g., WAF blocking).
Type: access_denial
Title: None
Description: The article discusses the rising importance of secure virtual data room (VDR) software in 2025 due to increasing data breach costs, regulatory scrutiny, and sophisticated cyber threats like ransomware and data theft. It highlights the need for robust security features in VDRs, including identity management, granular permissions, document controls, Q&A safeguards, anomaly detection, tamper-evident audit trails, data residency compliance, and secure AI integration. The context implies heightened risks in high-stakes dealmaking (M&A, financings, audits) where unsecured data rooms could expose sensitive information to breaches, leaks, or unauthorized AI processing. IBM’s 2024 *Cost of a Data Breach* and ENISA’s 2024 threat reports are cited as evidence of escalating cyber risks, emphasizing the financial and operational impacts of inadequate data protection.
Type: Data Breach Risk
Vulnerability Exploited: Loose Sharing PermissionsUncontrolled AI Tool IntegrationInadequate Access ControlsLack of Anomaly DetectionPoor Data Residency Enforcement
Title: None
Description: A 403 Forbidden error was encountered when attempting to access an IBM page. Incident Number: 18.ceb0f748.1762453764.1d2b5fb7. The page could not be displayed, possibly due to incorrect URL spelling, case sensitivity, or access restrictions.
Type: Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error)
Title: None
Description: A 403 Forbidden error was encountered when attempting to access an IBM page. Incident Number: 18.561e1202.1762842001.646fd49b. The page could not be displayed, possibly due to access restrictions, misconfigured permissions, or a security measure (e.g., WAF blocking, IP restriction, or authentication failure).
Type: access_denial
Title: IBM API Connect Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2025-13915)
Description: IBM has released security updates to address a critical IBM API Connect vulnerability that could allow remote attackers to bypass authentication controls and gain unauthorized access to affected applications. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-13915, carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8, placing it among the most severe vulnerabilities disclosed in recent months. The vulnerability stems from an authentication bypass weakness that could be exploited remotely without any user interaction or prior privileges.
Date Publicly Disclosed: 2025-12-26
Type: Authentication Bypass
Attack Vector: Network
Vulnerability Exploited: CVE-2025-13915 (CWE-305: Authentication Bypass by Primary Weakness)
Title: AI-Driven Data Breaches Highlighted in IBM Report
Description: IBM’s latest *Cost of a Data Breach Report* reveals a critical vulnerability in the rush to adopt AI: a widening gap between AI governance and security oversight is leaving sensitive data exposed. The study analyzed 600 breached organizations across 17 industries worldwide, highlighting financial and operational risks of inadequate data protection in AI initiatives.
Type: Data Breach
Attack Vector: AI supply chain and model attacks
Vulnerability Exploited: Inadequate AI governance and security oversight
Title: Healthcare Data Breach Costs Drop, but U.S. Breaches Hit Record High in 2025
Description: IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report reveals a mixed landscape for cybersecurity costs, with global averages declining for the first time in five years while U.S. breaches reach unprecedented levels. The study found that the global average cost of a data breach fell to $4.44 million, but U.S. breaches surged to a record $10.22 million. Healthcare remained the most expensive industry for breaches, though costs dropped significantly to $7.42 million on average. Phishing overtook stolen credentials as the top attack method, and ransomware attacks persisted with fewer organizations paying ransoms.
Date Publicly Disclosed: 2025
Type: Data Breach
Attack Vector: PhishingStolen CredentialsSupply Chain Compromise
What are the most common types of attacks the company has faced ?
Common Attack Types: The most common types of attacks the company has faced is Vulnerability.
How does the company identify the attack vectors used in incidents ?
Identification of Attack Vectors: The company identifies the attack vectors used in incidents through Phishing emails (1/3 of breaches)Vendor impersonationCredential theft.
Impact of the Incidents
What was the impact of each incident ?
Incident : Zero-Day Exploit IBM162291222
Data Compromised: Critical vulnerability information
Systems Affected: IBM Data Risk ManagerOther security tools
Operational Impact: Full-scale company compromise
Incident : Outage and Vulnerability IBM347060525
Systems Affected: IBM Cloud ConsoleSupport Cases
Downtime: ['2023-05-21 09:03 AM UTC', '2023-05-21 01:20 PM UTC']
Operational Impact: Users unable to access cloud resources and support cases
Brand Reputation Impact: Apologies issued by IBM Japan
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Systems Affected: Email Systems (SEGs)Endpoint SecurityIdentity Management
Operational Impact: 72-day longer threat detection84-day longer threat containmentIncreased operational risk due to tool sprawlStretched security teamsHigher response costs
Brand Reputation Impact: Reputational damage due to delayed breach detection/responsePerceived insecurity by customers/partners
Identity Theft Risk: ['Credential theft via phishing']
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Incident : access_denial IBM4262042091025
Systems Affected: unspecified_IBM_web_page
Downtime: temporary (until access is restored or issue is resolved)
Operational Impact: minor (limited to inability to access a specific page)
Brand Reputation Impact: low (unless part of a larger outage or targeted attack)
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Data Compromised: Personal information
Systems Affected: Janssen CarePath platform database
Identity Theft Risk: Potential (personal information exposed)
Incident : access_denial IBM4862048102525
Systems Affected: unspecified_IBM_web_page
Downtime: temporary (until access is restored or permissions corrected)
Operational Impact: minor (limited to inability to access a specific page)
Brand Reputation Impact: low (unless part of a broader outage or misconfiguration trend)
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Financial Loss: Potential high costs due to prolonged breach investigations, regulatory fines, and cleanup (cited from IBM’s 2024 *Cost of a Data Breach*).
Systems Affected: Virtual Data Rooms (VDRs)Sensitive Deal DocumentsAI Processing Tools
Operational Impact: Slowed dealmaking processes due to heightened scrutiny, manual reviews, and distrust in insecure VDRs.
Brand Reputation Impact: Risk of reputational damage if breaches occur due to inadequate VDR security, leading to loss of trust in dealmaking partners.
Legal Liabilities: Potential violations of data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) due to uncontrolled data transfers or leaks.
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Systems Affected: Potential IBM web page or service (unconfirmed)
Operational Impact: Possible minor disruption for users attempting to access the specific IBM page.
Brand Reputation Impact: Minimal (if any), as this appears to be an isolated access error rather than a breach.
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Systems Affected: IBM webpage (unspecified)
Downtime: temporary (until access is restored or issue is resolved)
Operational Impact: minor (limited to inability to access a specific page)
Brand Reputation Impact: low (unless recurrent or part of a larger pattern)
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Data Compromised: Sensitive data and backend services managed through the platform
Systems Affected: IBM API Connect applications
Operational Impact: Complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the affected environment
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Financial Loss: Regulatory fines
Operational Impact: Operational disruption (31% of breached organizations)
Brand Reputation Impact: Eroded customer trust, reputational damage, and churn
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Financial Loss: $4.44 million (global average), $10.22 million (U.S. average), $7.42 million (healthcare average)
Downtime: >100 days for recovery
Operational Impact: Nearly all breached organizations faced disruptions
What is the average financial loss per incident ?
Average Financial Loss: The average financial loss per incident is $341.69 thousand.
What types of data are most commonly compromised in incidents ?
Commonly Compromised Data Types: The types of data most commonly compromised in incidents are Credentials (Via Phishing), Potential Pii (If Phishing Successful), , Personal Information, , Sensitive Deal Documents, Pii (Potential), Financial Records, Legal Contracts, and Sensitive data.
Which entities were affected by each incident ?
Incident : Outage and Vulnerability IBM347060525
Entity Name: IBM
Entity Type: Corporation
Industry: Technology
Location: Global
Size: Large
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Entity Name: Average Organization (Generalized)
Entity Type: Enterprise, SME
Industry: Cross-Industry
Location: Global
Size: ['Small (higher risk)', 'Medium', 'Large']
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Entity Name: IBM (Report Publisher)
Entity Type: Organization
Industry: Technology/IT Services
Location: Global
Size: Large (350,000+ employees)
Incident : access_denial IBM4262042091025
Entity Name: IBM
Entity Type: corporation
Industry: technology
Location: global (HQ: Armonk, New York, USA)
Size: large
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Entity Name: International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
Entity Type: Corporation
Industry: Technology / IT Services
Location: Armonk, New York, USA
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Entity Name: Janssen CarePath (platform under Johnson & Johnson)
Entity Type: Healthcare Platform
Industry: Pharmaceuticals / Healthcare
Incident : access_denial IBM4862048102525
Entity Name: IBM
Entity Type: corporation
Industry: technology
Location: global (HQ: Armonk, New York, USA)
Size: large (350,000+ employees)
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Entity Name: IBM
Entity Type: Corporation
Industry: Technology / IT Services
Location: Global (HQ: Armonk, New York, USA)
Size: Large (350,000+ employees as of latest reports)
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Entity Name: IBM
Entity Type: corporation
Industry: technology
Location: global (HQ: Armonk, New York, USA)
Size: large
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Entity Name: IBM API Connect
Entity Type: Software Platform
Industry: Technology/Enterprise Software
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Entity Type: Organizations
Industry: Multiple (17 industries)
Location: Worldwide
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Entity Type: Organization
Industry: Healthcare, Various (17 industries)
Location: GlobalU.S.
Response to the Incidents
What measures were taken in response to each incident ?
Incident : Outage and Vulnerability IBM347060525
Remediation Measures: Health checks of resources and contacting IBM Cloud Support
Communication Strategy: Messages sent to customers and apology issued by IBM Japan
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Remediation Measures: Replatforming (consolidating security tools)API-centric tool integrationAdaptive capabilities (ML/behavioral analysis)Automation for shared threat intelligence
Communication Strategy: Expert Insights (TechRadar Pro article)Awareness of tool sprawl risks
Enhanced Monitoring: Continuous ROI measurement (time-to-detect/respond)
Incident : access_denial IBM4262042091025
Remediation Measures: verify URL correctnesscheck access permissionsreview WAF/ACL rulesclear cache/cookies
Recovery Measures: restore access via correct credentials/permissionsupdate security policies if misconfigured
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Communication Strategy: Reported to California Office of the Attorney General
Incident : access_denial IBM4862048102525
Remediation Measures: verify URL correctnesscheck case sensitivityreview access permissionsinspect WAF/ACL rules if internal
Recovery Measures: redirect users to IBM homepageprovide alternative contact methods for support
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Containment Measures: SSO with MFAIP Allow/Deny ListsSession TimeoutsDevice ChecksGranular Role-Based PermissionsDocument WatermarkingPrint/Download ControlsCopy-Paste SuppressionBrowser-Only ViewersBuilt-In RedactionDRM for FilesAI Boundaries
Remediation Measures: Tamper-Evident Audit LogsAnomaly Detection AlertsRegion-Pinned Data StorageThird-Party Security Certifications
Recovery Measures: Backup Restoration ProtocolsSelf-Contained Audit Archives
Enhanced Monitoring: User Activity AnalyticsBehavioral Anomaly Flags (e.g., rapid page views, mass downloads)
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Remediation Measures: Suggested actions provided to users: verify URL spelling, check case sensitivity, or navigate from the IBM homepage.
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Remediation Measures: verify URL correctnesscheck access permissionsreview WAF/ACL rulesclear cache/cookies
Recovery Measures: restore access via IT supportupdate security policies if misconfigured
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Containment Measures: Disable self-service sign-up on the Developer Portal (temporary mitigation)
Remediation Measures: Apply interim fixes (iFixes) for affected versions (10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5 and 10.0.11.0)
Enhanced Monitoring: Review API access logs for signs of unauthorized activity
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Law Enforcement Notified: 40% of cases (down from 52%)
Data Breach Information
What type of data was compromised in each breach ?
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Type of Data Compromised: Credentials (via phishing), Potential pii (if phishing successful)
Sensitivity of Data: High (credentials)Medium (corporate email access)
Personally Identifiable Information: Potential (if phishing leads to account takeover)
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Type of Data Compromised: Personal information
Sensitivity of Data: High (personal information)
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Type of Data Compromised: Sensitive deal documents, Pii (potential), Financial records, Legal contracts
Sensitivity of Data: High (M&A, financings, audits, board matters)
Data Exfiltration: Risk highlighted due to loose permissions and unapproved AI tool usage.
File Types Exposed: PDFOffice DocumentsMedia Files
Personally Identifiable Information: Potential (if PII is stored in VDRs without proper controls).
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Sensitivity of Data: Sensitive data
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Type of Data Compromised: Sensitive data
Sensitivity of Data: High
What measures does the company take to prevent data exfiltration ?
Prevention of Data Exfiltration: The company takes the following measures to prevent data exfiltration: Health checks of resources and contacting IBM Cloud Support, Replatforming (consolidating security tools), API-centric tool integration, Adaptive capabilities (ML/behavioral analysis), Automation for shared threat intelligence, , verify URL correctness, check access permissions, review WAF/ACL rules, clear cache/cookies, , verify URL correctness, check case sensitivity, review access permissions, inspect WAF/ACL rules if internal, , Tamper-Evident Audit Logs, Anomaly Detection Alerts, Region-Pinned Data Storage, Third-Party Security Certifications, , Suggested actions provided to users: verify URL spelling, check case sensitivity, or navigate from the IBM homepage., verify URL correctness, check access permissions, review WAF/ACL rules, clear cache/cookies, , Apply interim fixes (iFixes) for affected versions (10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5 and 10.0.11.0).
How does the company handle incidents involving personally identifiable information (PII) ?
Handling of PII Incidents: The company handles incidents involving personally identifiable information (PII) through by sso with mfa, ip allow/deny lists, session timeouts, device checks, granular role-based permissions, document watermarking, print/download controls, copy-paste suppression, browser-only viewers, built-in redaction, drm for files, ai boundaries, and disable self-service sign-up on the developer portal (temporary mitigation).
Ransomware Information
Was ransomware involved in any of the incidents ?
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Ransom Demanded: $5.08 million (average)
Ransom Paid: 37% of organizations paid (63% refused)
How does the company recover data encrypted by ransomware ?
Data Recovery from Ransomware: The company recovers data encrypted by ransomware through restore access via correct credentials/permissions, update security policies if misconfigured, , redirect users to IBM homepage, provide alternative contact methods for support, , Backup Restoration Protocols, Self-Contained Audit Archives, , restore access via IT support, update security policies if misconfigured, .
Regulatory Compliance
Were there any regulatory violations and fines imposed for each incident ?
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Regulatory Notifications: California Office of the Attorney General
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Regulations Violated: Potential GDPR (Europe), Data Protection Laws (Cross-Border Transfers),
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Fines Imposed: Regulatory fines
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Fines Imposed: Higher regulatory fines contributed to U.S. breach costs
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
What lessons were learned from each incident ?
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Lessons Learned: Tool sprawl (83 tools from 29 vendors) increases complexity and risk, with 95% of leaders reporting redundant, unintegrated tools., Fragmentation leads to 72-day longer detection and 84-day longer containment, inflating costs and reputational damage., SEGs fail to block modern phishing (67.5 emails/month evade detection per 100 mailboxes), especially in understaffed SMEs., Default configurations and unintegrated tools create exploitable blind spots., AI/automation widens gaps when layered on disjointed architectures.
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Lessons Learned: The report underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures across industries, with costs rising annually. Proactive investments in prevention, detection, and response capabilities are essential to mitigate financial and operational risks.
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Lessons Learned: Insecure VDRs expose organizations to financial, operational, and reputational risks during high-stakes dealmaking. Proactive security measures (e.g., granular permissions, audit trails, AI governance) are critical to mitigating breaches and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Lessons Learned: Data security is a strategic leadership priority, demanding stronger governance frameworks to balance AI-driven innovation with resilience.
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Lessons Learned: Delayed breach responses increase costs; ungoverned AI and shadow IT pose significant risks; healthcare remains highly vulnerable despite cost reductions.
What recommendations were made to prevent future incidents ?
Incident : Outage and Vulnerability IBM347060525
Recommendations: Perform health checks of resources and contact IBM Cloud Support if issues persist
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Recommendations: Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience.Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience.Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience.Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience.Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience.Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience.
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Recommendations: Implement industry-specific cybersecurity frameworks tailored to high-risk sectors (e.g., healthcare, financial services)., Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses of security investments versus potential breach costs., Enhance employee training and incident response preparedness to reduce breach lifecycle durations., Leverage AI and automation for threat detection and response to lower average breach costs.Implement industry-specific cybersecurity frameworks tailored to high-risk sectors (e.g., healthcare, financial services)., Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses of security investments versus potential breach costs., Enhance employee training and incident response preparedness to reduce breach lifecycle durations., Leverage AI and automation for threat detection and response to lower average breach costs.Implement industry-specific cybersecurity frameworks tailored to high-risk sectors (e.g., healthcare, financial services)., Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses of security investments versus potential breach costs., Enhance employee training and incident response preparedness to reduce breach lifecycle durations., Leverage AI and automation for threat detection and response to lower average breach costs.Implement industry-specific cybersecurity frameworks tailored to high-risk sectors (e.g., healthcare, financial services)., Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses of security investments versus potential breach costs., Enhance employee training and incident response preparedness to reduce breach lifecycle durations., Leverage AI and automation for threat detection and response to lower average breach costs.
Incident : access_denial IBM4262042091025
Recommendations: Investigate whether the 403 error is due to a misconfiguration or a deliberate security block (e.g., DDoS protection, IP blacklisting)., Ensure web application firewalls (WAFs) and access control lists (ACLs) are properly tuned to avoid false positives., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts that may trigger such errors., Provide clear user guidance for troubleshooting 403 errors (e.g., checking URL typos, permissions, or VPN requirements).Investigate whether the 403 error is due to a misconfiguration or a deliberate security block (e.g., DDoS protection, IP blacklisting)., Ensure web application firewalls (WAFs) and access control lists (ACLs) are properly tuned to avoid false positives., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts that may trigger such errors., Provide clear user guidance for troubleshooting 403 errors (e.g., checking URL typos, permissions, or VPN requirements).Investigate whether the 403 error is due to a misconfiguration or a deliberate security block (e.g., DDoS protection, IP blacklisting)., Ensure web application firewalls (WAFs) and access control lists (ACLs) are properly tuned to avoid false positives., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts that may trigger such errors., Provide clear user guidance for troubleshooting 403 errors (e.g., checking URL typos, permissions, or VPN requirements).Investigate whether the 403 error is due to a misconfiguration or a deliberate security block (e.g., DDoS protection, IP blacklisting)., Ensure web application firewalls (WAFs) and access control lists (ACLs) are properly tuned to avoid false positives., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts that may trigger such errors., Provide clear user guidance for troubleshooting 403 errors (e.g., checking URL typos, permissions, or VPN requirements).
Incident : access_denial IBM4862048102525
Recommendations: Audit web server access controls and WAF rules to prevent false positives., Implement user-friendly error pages with troubleshooting guidance., Monitor for patterns of 403 errors that may indicate targeted scanning or misconfigurations.Audit web server access controls and WAF rules to prevent false positives., Implement user-friendly error pages with troubleshooting guidance., Monitor for patterns of 403 errors that may indicate targeted scanning or misconfigurations.Audit web server access controls and WAF rules to prevent false positives., Implement user-friendly error pages with troubleshooting guidance., Monitor for patterns of 403 errors that may indicate targeted scanning or misconfigurations.
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Recommendations: Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Maintain tamper-evident, exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications.
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Recommendations: Verify URL accuracy and case sensitivity when accessing IBM pages., Use the IBM homepage as a starting point for navigation if access issues persist., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts (if this is part of a broader issue).Verify URL accuracy and case sensitivity when accessing IBM pages., Use the IBM homepage as a starting point for navigation if access issues persist., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts (if this is part of a broader issue).Verify URL accuracy and case sensitivity when accessing IBM pages., Use the IBM homepage as a starting point for navigation if access issues persist., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts (if this is part of a broader issue).
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Recommendations: Implement proper error handling for 403 pages to avoid confusion with security incidents., Review access control lists (ACLs) and web application firewall (WAF) rules to prevent false positives., Ensure clear communication channels for users encountering access issues.Implement proper error handling for 403 pages to avoid confusion with security incidents., Review access control lists (ACLs) and web application firewall (WAF) rules to prevent false positives., Ensure clear communication channels for users encountering access issues.Implement proper error handling for 403 pages to avoid confusion with security incidents., Review access control lists (ACLs) and web application firewall (WAF) rules to prevent false positives., Ensure clear communication channels for users encountering access issues.
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Recommendations: Assess deployments immediately, apply recommended fixes, and prioritize remediation due to critical severity rating.
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Recommendations: Implement stronger AI governance and security oversight frameworks.
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Recommendations: Implement DevSecOps, AI/ML-driven security insights, and security analytics to reduce breach costs. Strengthen AI governance and access controls. Address shadow IT and supply chain vulnerabilities. Increase law enforcement involvement in ransomware cases.
What are the key lessons learned from past incidents ?
Key Lessons Learned: The key lessons learned from past incidents are Tool sprawl (83 tools from 29 vendors) increases complexity and risk, with 95% of leaders reporting redundant, unintegrated tools.,Fragmentation leads to 72-day longer detection and 84-day longer containment, inflating costs and reputational damage.,SEGs fail to block modern phishing (67.5 emails/month evade detection per 100 mailboxes), especially in understaffed SMEs.,Default configurations and unintegrated tools create exploitable blind spots.,AI/automation widens gaps when layered on disjointed architectures.The report underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures across industries, with costs rising annually. Proactive investments in prevention, detection, and response capabilities are essential to mitigate financial and operational risks.Insecure VDRs expose organizations to financial, operational, and reputational risks during high-stakes dealmaking. Proactive security measures (e.g., granular permissions, audit trails, AI governance) are critical to mitigating breaches and ensuring regulatory compliance.Data security is a strategic leadership priority, demanding stronger governance frameworks to balance AI-driven innovation with resilience.Delayed breach responses increase costs; ungoverned AI and shadow IT pose significant risks; healthcare remains highly vulnerable despite cost reductions.
What recommendations has the company implemented to improve cybersecurity ?
Implemented Recommendations: The company has implemented the following recommendations to improve cybersecurity: Perform health checks of resources and contact IBM Cloud Support if issues persist, Implement DevSecOps, AI/ML-driven security insights, and security analytics to reduce breach costs. Strengthen AI governance and access controls. Address shadow IT and supply chain vulnerabilities. Increase law enforcement involvement in ransomware cases., Assess deployments immediately, apply recommended fixes, and prioritize remediation due to critical severity rating. and Implement stronger AI governance and security oversight frameworks..
References
Where can I find more information about each incident ?
Incident : Outage and Vulnerability IBM347060525
Source: IBM Security Bulletin
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Source: IBM and Palo Alto Networks Study
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Source: Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR)
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Source: TechRadar Pro Expert Insights (Eyal Benishti, IRONSCALES)
URL: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
Date Accessed: 2023-10-04
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Source: Statista
URL: https://www.statista.com/statistics/387861/cost-data-breach-by-industry/
Date Accessed: 2025-09-04
Incident : access_denial IBM4262042091025
Source: IBM Error Page
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Source: California Office of the Attorney General
Date Accessed: 2023-09-22
Incident : access_denial IBM4862048102525
Source: IBM Error Page
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Source: IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Source: ENISA’s 2024 Threat Landscape Report
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Source: IBM Error Page
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Source: IBM Error Page
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Source: National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
Date Accessed: 2025-12-31
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Source: IBM Security Bulletin
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Source: IBM 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report
Date Accessed: 2025
Where can stakeholders find additional resources on cybersecurity best practices ?
Additional Resources: Stakeholders can find additional resources on cybersecurity best practices at and Source: IBM Security Bulletin, and Source: IBM and Palo Alto Networks Study, and Source: Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), and Source: TechRadar Pro Expert Insights (Eyal Benishti, IRONSCALES)Url: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-proDate Accessed: 2023-10-04, and Source: StatistaUrl: https://www.statista.com/statistics/387861/cost-data-breach-by-industry/Date Accessed: 2025-09-04, and Source: IBM Error Page, and Source: California Office of the Attorney GeneralDate Accessed: 2023-09-22, and Source: IBM Error Page, and Source: IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, and Source: ENISA’s 2024 Threat Landscape Report, and Source: IBM Error Page, and Source: IBM Error Page, and Source: National Vulnerability Database (NVD)Date Accessed: 2025-12-31, and Source: IBM Security Bulletin, and Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, and Source: IBM 2025 Cost of a Data Breach ReportDate Accessed: 2025.
Investigation Status
What is the current status of the investigation for each incident ?
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Investigation Status: Ongoing (Industry-Wide Analysis)
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Investigation Status: Completed (Report Published)
Incident : access_denial IBM4262042091025
Investigation Status: unconfirmed (could be benign or indicative of a security event)
Incident : Data Breach / Unauthorized Access IBM040091825
Investigation Status: Reported; details pending
Incident : access_denial IBM4862048102525
Investigation Status: unconfirmed (could be benign access issue or security-related)
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Investigation Status: Unconfirmed (likely a routine access error rather than a security incident).
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Investigation Status: unconfirmed (could be a false positive or legitimate access restriction)
How does the company communicate the status of incident investigations to stakeholders ?
Communication of Investigation Status: The company communicates the status of incident investigations to stakeholders through Messages sent to customers and apology issued by IBM Japan, Expert Insights (Techradar Pro Article), Awareness Of Tool Sprawl Risks and Reported to California Office of the Attorney General.
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories
Were there any advisories issued to stakeholders or customers for each incident ?
Incident : Outage and Vulnerability IBM347060525
Customer Advisories: Perform health checks of their resources and contact IBM Cloud Support if they continue to experience failures.
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Stakeholder Advisories: Security Leaders Urged To Replatform And Consolidate Tools To Reduce Risk..
Customer Advisories: Organizations advised to assess email security gaps (SEGs) and adopt adaptive defenses.
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Customer Advisories: Organizations are advised to evaluate VDR software based on security features that align with high-stakes dealmaking requirements, prioritizing governance, auditability, and risk mitigation.
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Customer Advisories: Users were advised to check URL spelling or start from the IBM homepage.
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Stakeholder Advisories: Chief data officers (CDOs) and data leaders must prioritize data security as a strategic leadership issue.
What advisories does the company provide to stakeholders and customers following an incident ?
Advisories Provided: The company provides the following advisories to stakeholders and customers following an incident: were Perform health checks of their resources and contact IBM Cloud Support if they continue to experience failures., Security Leaders Urged To Replatform And Consolidate Tools To Reduce Risk., Organizations Advised To Assess Email Security Gaps (Segs) And Adopt Adaptive Defenses., , Organizations are advised to evaluate VDR software based on security features that align with high-stakes dealmaking requirements, prioritizing governance, auditability, and risk mitigation., Users were advised to check URL spelling or start from the IBM homepage. and Chief data officers (CDOs) and data leaders must prioritize data security as a strategic leadership issue..
Initial Access Broker
How did the initial access broker gain entry for each incident ?
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Entry Point: Phishing Emails (1/3 Of Breaches), Vendor Impersonation, Credential Theft,
High Value Targets: Email Accounts, Corporate Credentials, Financial Systems,
Data Sold on Dark Web: Email Accounts, Corporate Credentials, Financial Systems,
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
High Value Targets: M&A Documents, Financial Records, Board Materials,
Data Sold on Dark Web: M&A Documents, Financial Records, Board Materials,
Post-Incident Analysis
What were the root causes and corrective actions taken for each incident ?
Incident : Operational Risk IBM500090325
Root Causes: Over-Reliance On Bolt-On Security Tools Without Integration., Lack Of Api-Centric Threat Intelligence Sharing., Static Detection Methods (Segs) Unable To Counter Social Engineering., Understaffed Teams Unable To Maintain Tool Configurations., Default Settings And Unintegrated Tools Creating Blind Spots.,
Corrective Actions: Transition To Unified Cybersecurity Platforms (101% Roi)., Replace Segs With Api-Based, Adaptive Email Security., Automate Threat Intelligence Sharing Across Tools., Continuous Tuning Of Security Tools To Address Evolving Tactics., Prioritize Domains With Highest Threat Volume (E.G., Email).,
Incident : Data Breach Cost Analysis IBM1362513090425
Root Causes: Increasing Sophistication Of Cyber Threats., Expanding Attack Surfaces (E.G., Cloud Migration, Remote Work)., Regulatory Complexities And Compliance Costs., Shortage Of Skilled Cybersecurity Professionals.,
Incident : Data Breach Risk IBM5434154110425
Root Causes: Inadequate Access Controls, Lack Of Activity Monitoring, Unsecured Data Sharing, Poor Data Residency Management, Unrestricted Ai Tool Integration,
Corrective Actions: Adopt Vdrs With Governed Workspaces And Predictive Security Controls., Enforce Least-Privilege Access And Just-In-Time Permissions., Implement Real-Time Anomaly Detection And Automated Containment., Ensure Tamper-Proof Audit Trails For Compliance And Dispute Resolution., Restrict Cross-Border Data Transfers To Compliant Storage Regions.,
Incident : Access Denial / Unauthorized Access Attempt (403 Forbidden Error) IBM4593045110625
Root Causes: Possible Misconfigured Access Permissions For The Specific Page., User Error (E.G., Incorrect Url Or Case Sensitivity)., Temporary Access Restriction (E.G., Maintenance Or Ip Blocking).,
Incident : access_denial IBM3762037111125
Root Causes: Potential Waf/Acl Misconfiguration, Incorrect Url Input, Session/Cookie Expiration, Ip-Based Restriction,
Corrective Actions: Audit Security Rules, Improve User Guidance For Errors, Log And Monitor 403 Events For Anomalies,
Incident : Authentication Bypass IBM1767621759
Root Causes: Failure in enforcing authentication checks under certain conditions
Corrective Actions: Apply interim fixes (iFixes) and upgrade to remediated versions
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139287
Root Causes: Widening gap between AI governance and security oversight
Corrective Actions: Stronger governance frameworks to balance transformation with resilience
Incident : Data Breach IBM1769139399
Root Causes: Phishing, Stolen Credentials, Supply Chain Compromise, Shadow It, Ungoverned Ai,
Corrective Actions: Devsecops Adoption, Ai/Ml-Driven Security Insights, Security Analytics, Ai Governance And Access Controls, Addressing Shadow It,
What is the company's process for conducting post-incident analysis ?
Post-Incident Analysis Process: The company's process for conducting post-incident analysis is described as Continuous Roi Measurement (Time-To-Detect/Respond), , User Activity Analytics, Behavioral Anomaly Flags (E.G., Rapid Page Views, Mass Downloads), , Review API access logs for signs of unauthorized activity.
What corrective actions has the company taken based on post-incident analysis ?
Corrective Actions Taken: The company has taken the following corrective actions based on post-incident analysis: Transition To Unified Cybersecurity Platforms (101% Roi)., Replace Segs With Api-Based, Adaptive Email Security., Automate Threat Intelligence Sharing Across Tools., Continuous Tuning Of Security Tools To Address Evolving Tactics., Prioritize Domains With Highest Threat Volume (E.G., Email)., , Adopt Vdrs With Governed Workspaces And Predictive Security Controls., Enforce Least-Privilege Access And Just-In-Time Permissions., Implement Real-Time Anomaly Detection And Automated Containment., Ensure Tamper-Proof Audit Trails For Compliance And Dispute Resolution., Restrict Cross-Border Data Transfers To Compliant Storage Regions., , Audit Security Rules, Improve User Guidance For Errors, Log And Monitor 403 Events For Anomalies, , Apply interim fixes (iFixes) and upgrade to remediated versions, Stronger governance frameworks to balance transformation with resilience, Devsecops Adoption, Ai/Ml-Driven Security Insights, Security Analytics, Ai Governance And Access Controls, Addressing Shadow It, .
Additional Questions
General Information
Has the company ever paid ransoms ?
Ransom Payment History: The company has Paid ransoms in the past.
What was the amount of the last ransom demanded ?
Last Ransom Demanded: The amount of the last ransom demanded was $5.08 million (average).
Incident Details
What was the most recent incident detected ?
Most Recent Incident Detected: The most recent incident detected was on 2023-05-21.
What was the most recent incident publicly disclosed ?
Most Recent Incident Publicly Disclosed: The most recent incident publicly disclosed was on 2025.
What was the most recent incident resolved ?
Most Recent Incident Resolved: The most recent incident resolved was on 2023-05-21.
Impact of the Incidents
What was the most significant data compromised in an incident ?
Most Significant Data Compromised: The most significant data compromised in an incident were Critical vulnerability information, , Personal Information, , Sensitive data and backend services managed through the platform and .
What was the most significant system affected in an incident ?
Most Significant System Affected: The most significant system affected in an incident was IBM Data Risk ManagerOther security tools and IBM Cloud ConsoleSupport Cases and Email Systems (SEGs)Endpoint SecurityIdentity Management and unspecified_IBM_web_page and Janssen CarePath platform database and unspecified_IBM_web_page and Virtual Data Rooms (VDRs)Sensitive Deal DocumentsAI Processing Tools and Potential IBM web page or service (unconfirmed) and IBM webpage (unspecified) and .
Response to the Incidents
What containment measures were taken in the most recent incident ?
Containment Measures in Most Recent Incident: The containment measures taken in the most recent incident were SSO with MFAIP Allow/Deny ListsSession TimeoutsDevice ChecksGranular Role-Based PermissionsDocument WatermarkingPrint/Download ControlsCopy-Paste SuppressionBrowser-Only ViewersBuilt-In RedactionDRM for FilesAI Boundaries and Disable self-service sign-up on the Developer Portal (temporary mitigation).
Data Breach Information
What was the most sensitive data compromised in a breach ?
Most Sensitive Data Compromised: The most sensitive data compromised in a breach were Sensitive data and backend services managed through the platform, Critical vulnerability information and Personal Information.
Ransomware Information
What was the highest ransom demanded in a ransomware incident ?
Highest Ransom Demanded: The highest ransom demanded in a ransomware incident was $5.08 million (average).
What was the highest ransom paid in a ransomware incident ?
Highest Ransom Paid: The highest ransom paid in a ransomware incident was 37% of organizations paid (63% refused).
Regulatory Compliance
What was the highest fine imposed for a regulatory violation ?
Highest Fine Imposed: The highest fine imposed for a regulatory violation was Regulatory fines, Higher regulatory fines contributed to U.S. breach costs.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
What was the most significant lesson learned from past incidents ?
Most Significant Lesson Learned: The most significant lesson learned from past incidents was AI/automation widens gaps when layered on disjointed architectures., The report underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures across industries, with costs rising annually. Proactive investments in prevention, detection, and response capabilities are essential to mitigate financial and operational risks., Insecure VDRs expose organizations to financial, operational, and reputational risks during high-stakes dealmaking. Proactive security measures (e.g., granular permissions, audit trails, AI governance) are critical to mitigating breaches and ensuring regulatory compliance., Data security is a strategic leadership priority, demanding stronger governance frameworks to balance AI-driven innovation with resilience., Delayed breach responses increase costs; ungoverned AI and shadow IT pose significant risks; healthcare remains highly vulnerable despite cost reductions.
What was the most significant recommendation implemented to improve cybersecurity ?
Most Significant Recommendation Implemented: The most significant recommendation implemented to improve cybersecurity was Deploy anomaly detection for unusual access patterns (e.g., off-hour activity)., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts that may trigger such errors., Assess current stack: Inventory tools for overlap, integration gaps, and misconfigurations., Ensure clear communication channels for users encountering access issues., Implement user-friendly error pages with troubleshooting guidance., Provide clear user guidance for troubleshooting 403 errors (e.g., checking URL typos, permissions, or VPN requirements)., Avoid 'more tools' mindset: Simplify to reduce operational burden and improve resilience., Investigate whether the 403 error is due to a misconfiguration or a deliberate security block (e.g., DDoS protection, IP blacklisting)., Implement industry-specific cybersecurity frameworks tailored to high-risk sectors (e.g., healthcare, financial services)., Enforce role-based permissions with inheritance and reversible exceptions., Ensure web application firewalls (WAFs) and access control lists (ACLs) are properly tuned to avoid false positives., Start small: Focus on high-risk domains (e.g., email, endpoint, identity) before expanding., Assess deployments immediately, apply recommended fixes, and prioritize remediation due to critical severity rating., Measure ROI: Track time-to-detect/respond to justify consolidation (101% ROI for platformized vs. 28% for fragmented)., Monitor for patterns of 403 errors that may indicate targeted scanning or misconfigurations., Prioritize adaptive tools: Use ML, behavioral analysis, and human feedback to counter evolving threats., Route Q&A through approval workflows for sensitive disclosures., Replatform: Consolidate tools into a unified, API-centric architecture with shared intelligence and automation., Use document controls (watermarks, DRM, redaction, screenshot deterrents)., Use the IBM homepage as a starting point for navigation if access issues persist., Review access control lists (ACLs) and web application firewall (WAF) rules to prevent false positives., Leverage AI and automation for threat detection and response to lower average breach costs., Implement stronger AI governance and security oversight frameworks., Pin data storage to specific regions and document sub-processors., Select VDR vendors with third-party security certifications., Perform health checks of resources and contact IBM Cloud Support if issues persist, Enhance employee training and incident response preparedness to reduce breach lifecycle durations., Restrict AI tool usage to governed environments with disable options., Implement proper error handling for 403 pages to avoid confusion with security incidents., Verify URL accuracy and case sensitivity when accessing IBM pages., Implement SSO with MFA and just-in-time user provisioning., Audit web server access controls and WAF rules to prevent false positives., Implement DevSecOps, AI/ML-driven security insights, and security analytics to reduce breach costs. Strengthen AI governance and access controls. Address shadow IT and supply chain vulnerabilities. Increase law enforcement involvement in ransomware cases., Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses of security investments versus potential breach costs., Monitor for patterns of unauthorized access attempts (if this is part of a broader issue)., Test security controls regularly (e.g., simulated breach attempts)., Maintain tamper-evident and exportable audit logs with comprehensive metadata..
References
What is the most recent source of information about an incident ?
Most Recent Source: The most recent source of information about an incident are IBM and Palo Alto Networks Study, IBM Error Page, California Office of the Attorney General, Statista, IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, ENISA’s 2024 Threat Landscape Report, IBM Security Bulletin, National Vulnerability Database (NVD), TechRadar Pro Expert Insights (Eyal Benishti, IRONSCALES), IBM 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report, Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) and IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report.
What is the most recent URL for additional resources on cybersecurity best practices ?
Most Recent URL for Additional Resources: The most recent URL for additional resources on cybersecurity best practices is https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro, https://www.statista.com/statistics/387861/cost-data-breach-by-industry/ .
Investigation Status
What is the current status of the most recent investigation ?
Current Status of Most Recent Investigation: The current status of the most recent investigation is Ongoing (Industry-Wide Analysis).
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories
What was the most recent stakeholder advisory issued ?
Most Recent Stakeholder Advisory: The most recent stakeholder advisory issued was Security leaders urged to replatform and consolidate tools to reduce risk., Chief data officers (CDOs) and data leaders must prioritize data security as a strategic leadership issue., .
What was the most recent customer advisory issued ?
Most Recent Customer Advisory: The most recent customer advisory issued were an Perform health checks of their resources and contact IBM Cloud Support if they continue to experience failures., Organizations advised to assess email security gaps (SEGs) and adopt adaptive defenses., Organizations are advised to evaluate VDR software based on security features that align with high-stakes dealmaking requirements, prioritizing governance, auditability, and risk mitigation. and Users were advised to check URL spelling or start from the IBM homepage.
Initial Access Broker
Post-Incident Analysis
What was the most significant root cause identified in post-incident analysis ?
Most Significant Root Cause: The most significant root cause identified in post-incident analysis was Over-reliance on bolt-on security tools without integration.Lack of API-centric threat intelligence sharing.Static detection methods (SEGs) unable to counter social engineering.Understaffed teams unable to maintain tool configurations.Default settings and unintegrated tools creating blind spots., Increasing sophistication of cyber threats.Expanding attack surfaces (e.g., cloud migration, remote work).Regulatory complexities and compliance costs.Shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals., Inadequate Access ControlsLack of Activity MonitoringUnsecured Data SharingPoor Data Residency ManagementUnrestricted AI Tool Integration, Possible misconfigured access permissions for the specific page.User error (e.g., incorrect URL or case sensitivity).Temporary access restriction (e.g., maintenance or IP blocking)., potential WAF/ACL misconfigurationincorrect URL inputsession/cookie expirationIP-based restriction, Failure in enforcing authentication checks under certain conditions, Widening gap between AI governance and security oversight, PhishingStolen CredentialsSupply Chain CompromiseShadow ITUngoverned AI.
What was the most significant corrective action taken based on post-incident analysis ?
Most Significant Corrective Action: The most significant corrective action taken based on post-incident analysis was Transition to unified cybersecurity platforms (101% ROI).Replace SEGs with API-based, adaptive email security.Automate threat intelligence sharing across tools.Continuous tuning of security tools to address evolving tactics.Prioritize domains with highest threat volume (e.g., email)., Adopt VDRs with governed workspaces and predictive security controls.Enforce least-privilege access and just-in-time permissions.Implement real-time anomaly detection and automated containment.Ensure tamper-proof audit trails for compliance and dispute resolution.Restrict cross-border data transfers to compliant storage regions., audit security rulesimprove user guidance for errorslog and monitor 403 events for anomalies, Apply interim fixes (iFixes) and upgrade to remediated versions, Stronger governance frameworks to balance transformation with resilience, DevSecOps adoptionAI/ML-driven security insightsSecurity analyticsAI governance and access controlsAddressing shadow IT.
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Latest Global CVEs (Not Company-Specific)
Description
The WP Go Maps (formerly WP Google Maps) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the processBackgroundAction() function in all versions up to, and including, 10.0.04. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to modify global map engine settings.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 5.3
Severity: LOW
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
Description
The Save as PDF Plugin by PDFCrowd plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘options’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link. NOTE: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires that the PDFCrowd API key is blank (also known as "demo mode", which is the default configuration when the plugin is installed) or known.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 6.1
Severity: LOW
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Description
The Hustle – Email Marketing, Lead Generation, Optins, Popups plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to incorrect file type validation in the action_import_module() function in all versions up to, and including, 7.8.9.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with a lower-privileged role (e.g., Subscriber-level access and above), to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible. Successful exploitation requires an admin to grant Hustle module permissions (or module edit access) to the low-privileged user so they can access the Hustle admin page and obtain the required nonce.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 7.5
Severity: HIGH
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Description
The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.9 via the wdk_public_action AJAX handler. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to extract email addresses for users with Directory Kit-specific user roles.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 5.3
Severity: LOW
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Description
The Meta-box GalleryMeta plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via admin settings in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with editor-level permissions and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 4.4
Severity: HIGH
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/meta-box-gallerymeta/tags/3.0.1/gallerymetaboxes.php#L119
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/meta-box-gallerymeta/tags/3.0.1/gallerymetaboxes.php#L314
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/meta-box-gallerymeta/tags/3.0.1/templates/single-mb_gallery.php#L31
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/meta-box-gallerymeta/tags/3.0.1/templates/single-mb_gallery.php#L33
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/bb9ae252-7e5f-4dc0-a162-100493b81980?source=cve
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Incident
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