California DMV Halts Data Transfers After Vendor Breach

A current cyber-attack on a firm based mostly in Seattle, Washington, could have compromised the knowledge of tens of millions of drivers residing in California.

The California Department of Motor Automobiles has contracted with Computerized Funds Transfer Services, Inc. (AFTS) because 2019 to cross-reference addresses with the national databases as component of a process to be certain the addresses to which vehicle registration renewal notices are mailed are accurate. 

According to a assertion launched by the DMV on Wednesday, information belonging to its customers might have been compromised when AFTS was hit with a ransomware attack previously this month.

“Automatic Resources Transfer Solutions, Inc. (AFTS) of Seattle was the sufferer of a ransomware attack in early February that might have compromised details provided to AFTS by the DMV, which includes the last 20 months of California car registration information that consist of names, addresses, license plate quantities and car or truck identification quantities (VIN),” said the DMV.

“AFTS does not have entry to DMV customers’ Social Security figures, birthdates, voter registration, immigration standing or driver’s license info, for that reason this information was not compromised.”

Since learning of the security incident, the DMV has ceased all information transfers to AFTS and described the cybercrime to law enforcement, which include the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Data privacy is a top precedence for the DMV. We are investigating this latest info breach of a DMV vendor in buy to promptly present clarity on how it may possibly effect Californians,” explained DMV director Steve Gordon.

“We are wanting at extra steps to apply to bolster security to secure info held by the DMV and businesses that we contract with.”

Officials at the DMV explained that no evidence had come to light-weight that California drivers’ info stolen in the attack had been misused. 

“While the DMV Investigations branch has no indicator at this time that information accessed by the ransomware attack on AFTS has been utilised by the attackers for any nefarious reason, the DMV urges shoppers to report any suspect activity to law enforcement,” officials claimed in a statement viewed by ABC News.

“The DMV will continue on to keep track of the situation and perform with the correct legislation enforcement companies.”

Statistics based on 2019 inhabitants estimates counsel that California, with a lot more than 26 million accredited motorists, has a lot more licensed motorists than any other point out.

Some elements of this article are sourced from:
www.infosecurity-journal.com