On December 20, 2023, Advarra filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Montana after discovering a recent cybersecurity incident affecting the company’s computer network. In this notice, Advarra explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access consumers’ sensitive information, which includes their names and Social Security numbers. Upon completing its investigation, Advarra began sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you received a data breach notification from Advarra, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, hackers routinely seek out companies that they believe will have sensitive data in their possession when determining which companies to target. Social Security numbers are among the most prized data points for hackers, as this information can easily be used to commit identity theft and other frauds. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, as well as discuss your legal options following the Advarra data breach.

What Caused the Advarra Data Breach?

The Advarra data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, Advarra’s filing with the Attorney General of Montana provides some important information on what led up to the breach. According to this source, on October 26, 2023, Advarra learned that an unauthorized party had gained access to an employee’s email account and acquired some information that was contained within various emails and attachments.

In response, Advarra disabled the affected email account and then launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists.

The incident was contained on the same day it was discovered. However, ultimately, the Advarra investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party had accessed the employee’s email account on October 25, 2023. Advarra also determined that confidential consumer data was contained within the email account.

After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, Advarra reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name and Social Security number.

On December 20, 2023, Advarra sent out data breach letters to anyone who was affected by the recent data security incident. These letters should provide victims with a list of what information belonging to them was compromised.

More Information About Advarra

Advarra is a business services company based out of Columbia, Maryland. Advarra creates processes and software to help companies carry out clinical trials. The company also provides consulting and training services, as well as offering independent reviews of clinical trials. Advarra employs more than 1,350 people and generates approximately $285 million in annual revenue.