Data breach notices sent to Washingtonians over past year exceed state’s population
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson released his ninth annual data breach report today that shows data breaches reached an all-time high since his office started tracking them nearly a decade ago.
This year, just over 11.6 million data breach notices went out to Washingtonians — five million more than the previous all-time high in 2021. The number is up significantly compared to last year’s total of 4.8 million. It is the first time ever that the number of individual notices sent exceeds the state’s population.
The number of data breaches impacting at least 500 Washingtonians was also up to 279 this year, the second highest recorded since 2016 and significantly more than the 178 reported last year. The only year with more was 2021, when the Attorney General’s Office received 286 notices. Breaches impacting fewer than 500 Washingtonians do not require notice to the Attorney General.
Washingtonians can access the Attorney General’s database of breaches here.
“The more people know about data breaches, the more they can protect themselves,” Ferguson said. “This report offers recommendations for responding to a growing problem and continues to be a resource for Washingtonians looking for ways to protect their personal information.”
A data breach is an unauthorized acquisition of data that compromises security, confidentiality or integrity of personal information maintained by an individual, business or agency. Corporations collect and sell massive amounts of sensitive personal data. The more that this data is shared and collected, the more vulnerable consumers are to data breaches and cybercrime.
In the past year, cyberattacks, particularly ransomware attacks, remained the most common type of breaches, representing 78% of all reported breaches. That is up from 68% in 2023. Ransomware attacks accounted for more than half (52%) of all cyberattacks and more than a third (41%) of the total breaches. During ransomware attacks, an individual inserts malicious code into a network, then encrypts its data, which renders it inaccessible to the breached organization. Hackers seek payment to release the data back to the organization.
The significant increase in the number of Washingtonians affected by data breaches over the past year is in part due to two mega breaches at Comcast and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. It was the first time more than one mega breach — a data breach that affects more than a million Washingtonians — was reported in a single year.
The report also found that 194 breaches — just over two-thirds (69.5%) of all breaches — caused a Washingtonian’s Social Security number to be compromised. Social Security numbers have been among the top three most compromised pieces of personal information in every report since 2016.
The report includes resources and best practices for businesses who experience cyberattacks and individuals affected by data breaches. It also provides tips to mitigate the risks of data breaches.
The Attorney General’s Office receives no funding to publish this report. The Legislature does not direct the office to publish the report. The Attorney General provides the report as a public service to provide Washingtonians with critical information to help them safeguard their data. The report is based on data breach notifications received between July 24, 2023 and July 23, 2024 that affected more than 500 Washingtonians’ personal information.
Recommendations to policymakers and past reforms
In 2019, Ferguson successfully proposed legislation strengthening Washington’s data breach notification law. This legislation significantly expanded the definition of personal information, required notices to consumers to include the period of time their data was at risk, and shortened the timeline to provide notice to consumers to 30 days after the discovery of a breach. These changes went into effect on March 1, 2020.
In 2023, Ferguson partnered with Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue to successfully propose the My Health My Data Act. House Bill 1155 closed the gap on health data privacy protections, provided Washingtonians more control of their health data and protected those who come from out of state to access reproductive and gender-affirming care.
The 2024 data breach report includes recommendations to policymakers to protect Washingtonians’ data and minimize risks. Those recommendations include:
Reducing the deadline to provide notice of a data breach to three days;
Creating requirements for sending data breach notifications in languages other than English;
Expanding the definition of “personal information” to include an individual’s full name in combination with a redacted Social Security number and individual tax identification numbers;
Requiring businesses to recognize and honor opt-out preference signals, also known as “global opt-out” or single opt-out requests, that help consumers avoid the burden of manually opting out of data sharing on every site they visit;
Requiring transparency from data brokers and collectors through annual reporting, state licensing and regulatory fees; and
Consulting with tribes on how best to support their efforts in combatting cyberattacks.
For more information about data breaches, past reports and protecting your private data, visit the Attorney General’s Data Breach Resource Center: atg.wa.gov/data-breach-resource-center.
ref. https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-report-data-breaches-reach-new-all-time-high-washington
In other State news headlines:
Colfax Downtown Association incubator program supports business development, rural revitalization.
Big things are happening in the small city of Colfax. The charming community is tucked in a valley along the South Fork of the Palouse River and surrounded by the wheat fields of Whitman County. Founded as a lumber town in 1870, many of the buildings along the mile-long stretch of Main Street are nearly as old as the city itself./ WA COMMERCE DEPT.
New report and dashboard show Climate Commitment Act investments.
See how 37 state agencies spent nearly $500 million on transit, wildfire preparedness, clean energy and more./ DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024-news-stories/nov-27-cca-investments
Waste less food this holiday season
Ecology's Food Center Lead Jade Monroe was at a Seattle Safeway store this week where she gave tips to reduce holiday food waste. As a Use Food Well campaign partner, Safeway helps Ecology promote food waste prevention through simple steps like smart shopping, meal planning, and proper food storage./DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/november-2024/don-t-be-a-skeptic-a-waste-free-friendsgiving-is-possible
* editor's note: Apparently according to liberals Thanksgiving changed the holiday meal to "Friendsgiving" this shows how liberals minds work!
I'll keep on saying Happy Thanksgiving anyways.
WDFW announces 2024-25 coastal steelhead regulations
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers this week announced regulations for the state’s 2024-25 coastal steelhead season./WDFW
https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/wdfw-announces-2024-25-coastal-steelhead-regulations
Inslee announces plan for new juvenile rehabilitation facility and previews possible legislative proposals./Governor's office
NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Senator Murray Secures Over $12 Million to Support Community Development Financial Institutions Across WA State, Including Those Serving Tribal Communities./Press release issued 11.26.24
Senator Murray Delivers $3.38 Million in Coastal Resilience and Habitat Restoration Grants for Washington State
Funding announced by Sen. Murray includes $1 million for salmon habitats in Olympia, nearly $1 million for shoreline conservation in Puget Sound, among other projects./ from a press release issued 11.25.24
WORLD< NATIONAL< BUSINESS
WORLD:
Security Council Split over Russian Federation’s Mid-range Ballistic Strike, Ukraine’s Use of Western-supplied Long-range Missiles
Speakers Condemn Moscow's Nuclear Threats, Pyongyang's Supply of Troops
As the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine surpasses 1,000 days, speakers warned the Security Council today of a dangerous escalation, citing reports of mid- and long-range missile firings by both sides and the deployment of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the conflict zone./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15914.doc.htm
Resumed Thirty-Fourth Meeting of States Parties to United Nations Convention on Law of Sea, at Headquarters, 27 November
NEW YORK, 27 November (United Nations, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), Office of Legal Affairs) — The resumed thirty-fourth Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, presided by Dunkan Laki Muhumuza (Uganda), was held at United Nations Headquarters on 27 November./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sea2205.doc.htm
Concluding Its Session, Second Committee Approves 4 Resolutions, 2 Decisions, including Texts on Tax Cooperation, Affordable Energy Access
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) concluded its seventy-ninth session today, approving four draft resolutions and two draft decisions on a range of topics, with a vote on a text taking up international tax cooperation./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/gaef3614.doc.htm
Remarks at a UN General Assembly Meeting on Russia’s Veto of a UN Security Council Resolution on Protection of Civilians in Sudan/ UN PRESS RELEASE
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability./US STATE DEPT.
https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability-54/
NATIONAL
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Latest Step to Lower Prescription Drug Costs by Proposing Expanded Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications for Americans with Medicare and Medicaid./WH
DOD Consults With Interagency Partners on Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Roles./DOD
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Maine to Ensure Children with Behavioral Health Disabilities Can Live at Home./DOJ
HUD AND CENSUS BUREAU REPORT NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES IN OCTOBER 2024
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced the following new residential sales statistics for October 2024./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_311
HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles with Holy Redeemer Hospital Over Disclosure of Patient’s Protected Health Information, Including Reproductive Health Information
Settlement emphasizes the need to ensure the privacy of PHI, including reproductive health information/HHS
BUSINESS:
Nine Members of Multi-State Money Laundering Organization Charged in Wide-Ranging Conspiracy./DOJ
U.S. Department of the Treasury Releases New Report Showing State Small Business Credit Initiative Has Supported $3.1 Billion in New Financing for Small Businesses./US TREASURY DEPT.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2728
IRS provides transition relief for third-party settlement organizations; Form 1099-K threshold is $5,000 for calendar year 2024./IRS
US Department of Labor signs framework with governments of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, industry to combat child labor in West African cocoa production./ US LABOR Dept.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ilab/ilab20241127
* Question: How Is this related to the US labor force?
Why We Must Grow the Economy by at Least 3% – and How to Do It
The U.S. Chamber is calling on elected officials to secure a better life for Americans by supporting policies that would lead to economic growth 50% above current projections over the next decade./ US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
https://www.uschamber.com/improving-government/why-we-must-grow-the-economy-and-how-to-do-it
IN FOCUS @ LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: DNR Removing Toxic Remnants of Dickman Mill to Improve Tacoma Waterfront.
The removal of the 1,200 pilings is now underway at the highly visible site on Ruston Way.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Aquatic Derelict Structures Program is cleaning up the toxic remnants of the historic Dickman Mill along the Tacoma waterfront.
Removing the 1,200 pilings that remained from the mill, which operated from the 1890s until 1974, will take away a source of pollution, allowing eelgrass habitat to return and making the popular waterfront cleaner and healthier for recreators.
“Today, we take another step forward in the fight for the future of our waters. Removing these pilings is a tremendous step forward for reversing our toxic legacy that has made this precious waterfront inhospitable for marine plants and life,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “We are going to restore this site to its natural beauty; honoring the history that happened here by acknowledging the past and embracing a healthier, more sustainable future.”
The agency secured $10.8 million to remove what it called Washington’s Filthy Four derelict structures, including $3.5 million for the Dickman Mill site, in the 2023 legislative session. It is the second, and one of the more public of the Filthy Four. The agency removed the former High Tides Seafood pier at Neah Bay earlier this fall.
"We appreciate the investments DNR makes in Washington's shoreline and especially in Tacoma," said Andrea Smith, President of the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners. "The partnership with DNR in protecting and caring for our waterways helps keep them safe for people and wildlife while enhancing our waterfront's beauty."
The pilings were treated with creosote a toxic cocktail of chemicals for preservation that can be dangerous for people and marine life.
Two barges and a crane are in the water off Dickman Mill Park removing the pilings, with work expected to continue through mid-January.
With the source of creosote pollution gone, the site will be returned to a more natural state. Once the removal is complete, divers will survey for any additional debris and crews will lay down gravel to improve the sediment quality. It is likely that eelgrass will return to the area. For more information, visit dnr.wa.gov/dickman-mill.
About DNR: Ensuring Washington’s Aquatic Lands Remain Healthy and Productive
As stewards of more than 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands, we are responsible for ensuring protection of habitat and fostering public access and water-dependent activities for future generations. DNR generates revenue by selling the rights to harvest renewable resources like wild geoducks and other shellfish and from leasing and licensing state-owned aquatic lands. That revenue is reinvested to manage and restore Washington's aquatic ecosystems; keep them free of derelict maritime equipment; protect their health and productivity, and fund local projects that ensure the public can enjoy our aquatic lands.
ref. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/dnr-removing-toxic-remnants-dickman-mill-improve-tacoma-waterfront
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County work session for 12.2.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12022024-1364
Clallam County Commission meeting for 12.3.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032024-1365
Homeless task force meeting for 12.3.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12032024-1359
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 12.3.24
https://weblink.cityofpa.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=590619&dbid=0&repo=COPA&cr=1
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
City of Port Townsend meeting for 12.2.24
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=4683
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: 2 Peter 3:10-11 (New International Version)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Ten Facts About Hell
Hell is a place as is Heaven. It is a place away from the presence of the Lord God and is prepared for those who do not obey the Gospel of Christ. Paul told the Thessalonians that Jesus would be revealed from heaven, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power ---TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/ten-facts-about-hell
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Come and See
https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:
Is God Using Trump?
“The liberals hate my guts because I told the truth about Bonhoeffer,” says Eric Metaxas, author of “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.” He joined "The Glenn Beck Podcast" to spread the word about Angel Studios' latest film about the German pastor turned coconspirator in a plot to assassinate Hitler. It's a movie, he says, "Jew-hating lunatics" will love to hate, which is why anti-Semites get free tickets. Eric makes the case that Trump is, in fact, not Hitler and explains why Christians should live out their faith in the public square without fear of being called “Christian Nationalists.” Theocracy, Eric says, is “anti-Christian,” but, like in Nazi Germany, there does come a time when the church should oppose a tyrannical state. Church attendance is down, but Eric suggests that just may be a good thing and that perhaps it’s time to consider Bonhoeffer's proposition of “religionless Christianity.” In the end, both Glenn and Eric agree that there is a "warrior side of Jesus,” and “God knows your theology by how you live.” ---Glenn Beck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPOyq7rsPzc&t=15s
Liberty and Learning - Part Two
Join Mark Levin and Dr. Larry Arnn in the second episode of "Liberty and Learning," a thought-provoking podcast from Hillsdale College and Westwood One. This episode delves into the complexities of the American government, exploring the massive bureaucracy and its implications on the constitutional framework. Discover how recent Supreme Court rulings and a unique plan by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy aim to restore constitutional governance. With engaging discussions on the separation of powers, the role of Congress, and the potential for reform, this episode offers a deep dive into the heart of American political philosophy and current events.
Liberty and Learning with Mark Levin and Larry Arnn is a 10-part series, hosted by veteran broadcaster and constitutional law expert, Mark Levin, and his good friend, Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, dives deep into the founding principles of the U.S., as Americans face both crisis and opportunity. Levin and Arnn take listeners on a journey forward, as they unpack the country’s basic foundations and the self-government they require.
Mark Levin and Dr. Arnn bring their knowledge and wisdom to bear in a candid conversation between lifelong friends on today’s latest news events. They will touch on the points of crisis in America, addressing each in light of our constitutional government, and tackling the pressing issues of our time to see how they fit into the grand tapestry of American history. The discussion will delve deep into the issues at the forefront of our nation’s concerns, like education, borders, citizenship, separation of powers, state and local government, and much more.---Mark Levin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckflI3b9bDc
Become Like Christ--Sunday morning worship at the Concord Street Church of Christ on November 24, 2024. David Pharr preached a sermon titled “Become Like Christ”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vipR_Pno96U
Other News Sources:
Beware the MSNBC Devil woman
"There is a reason why journalism – as it is practiced by the “mainstream” media – is regarded with even more contempt than Congress by many Americans. It is because journalism has transitioned – overtly – into peddling deliberately one-sided misinformation, to borrow a term these “journalists” love to apply to anyone who dares to question their lies."--BPR
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/11/19/beware-the-msnbc-devil-woman-1503796/
Why the Left Is Suddenly Turning on Joe Biden?--PJ MEDIA
Have you noticed how, especially since the election, people on the left are trying to rewrite history and claim they knew Joe Biden was unfit for office—or at least, not well enough to seek a second term? It’s a fascinating phenomenon, and it tells us everything that is wrong with left.
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2024/11/30/why-the-left-is-suddenly-turning-on-joe-biden-n4934730
Why Are Hollywood Has-Beens Trashing the American People As Ignorant?--News Busters
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is published weekly by, Peter Ripley
