Security Breach Comparison Table
Company 1: Facebook Company 2: Equifax Data
Question
Data Breach (2019) Breach (2017)
Facebook is a social media Equifax is one of the largest
Company
platform connecting billions credit reporting agencies in
Description
of users. the U.S.
A data breach exposed A breach exposed sensitive
Summary of personal information of 540 information of 147 million
Events million users, including people, including Social
comments and likes. Security numbers.
Equifax became aware of
Facebook discovered the
the breach through an
Alert Method breach during routine
internal security monitoring
security audits.
system.
Facebook ignored earlier Equifax missed patching a
Warning Signs
concerns about user known vulnerability in their
Missed or Heeded
privacy settings. software.
Facebook had inadequate Equifax failed to update its
Risky Behavior privacy controls and user security systems and
data protections. policies promptly.
Users faced potential Many individuals had their
Effects on
identity theft and privacy identities compromised,
Individuals
violations. leading to financial risks.
Eroded public trust in social The breach led to increased
Societal/Economic
media platforms and scrutiny of credit reporting
Effects
concerns over data privacy. agencies and regulations.
Equifax invested in new
Facebook improved its data
Preventative security measures and
protection policies and
Steps Taken upgraded their
transparency.
infrastructure.
References
1. Facebook Data Breach:
o Zengler, T. (2019). “Facebook Exposed 540 Million User Records
on Unsecured Servers.” Reuters.
o McCarthy, J. (2019). “Facebook data breach: What you need to
know.” CNBC.
2. Equifax Data Breach:
o Zeller, T. (2017). “Equifax Says Cyberattack May Have Affected
143 Million.” The New York Times.
o McCoy, K. (2018). “What to know about the Equifax data
breach.” USA Today.
