Salt Lake City School District Vendor Data Breach

**Salt Lake City School District Vendor Breach Exposes Student Data, Highlighting Growing Social Engineering Risks** A recent data breach affecting the Salt Lake City School District has exposed sensitive student information, underscoring the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. In an email to parents, the district confirmed that hackers infiltrated one of its vendors, compromising personal data—including names, dates of birth, grades, addresses, and contact details—though Social Security numbers were reportedly unaffected. While the breach did not include financial information, cybersecurity experts warn that even basic personal data can be weaponized. Gerald Kasulis of NordVPN noted that scammers are increasingly shifting from traditional financial fraud to **social engineering attacks**, using stolen details to impersonate trusted figures—such as government officials, medical providers, or family members—to manipulate victims. A NordVPN survey revealed that many Americans underestimate the risks of such breaches, despite widespread awareness that personal data is often circulating on the dark web. Kasulis emphasized that even seemingly minor exposures can lead to significant harm, as attackers exploit trust to gain access to more sensitive information. The incident serves as a reminder that non-financial data breaches, while often dismissed as low-risk, can still enable sophisticated fraud schemes. The Salt Lake City School District’s case highlights the broader trend of cybercriminals leveraging basic personal details to bypass traditional security measures.