On June 30, 2023, Gates Corporation (“Gates”) filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine after confirming that the company was the victim of a ransomware attack. In this notice, Gates explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access employees’ sensitive information, which includes their names, Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, direct deposit information, driver’s license numbers, and passport numbers. Upon completing its investigation, Gates 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 Gates Corporation, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. As we’ve discussed in previous posts, ransomware attacks have become more popular in recent months. These cyberattacks, like others, put your confidential information in the hands of hackers who can use the stolen information to commit a wide range of frauds against you, including identity theft. 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 Gates Corp. data breach.

What Caused the Gates Corp. Breach?

The Gates Corp. data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, Gates’s filing with the Attorney General of Maine provides some important information on what led up to the breach. According to this source, Gates learned that it had been the victim of a ransomware attack on February 11, 2023. In response, Gates notified law enforcement and began working with an outside cybersecurity firm to investigate the incident and determine what, if any, data was stolen.

On April 30, 2023, the Gates investigation confirmed that the hackers were able to access and remove certain files containing confidential human resources data relating to employees.

After learning that sensitive employee data was accessible to an unauthorized party, Gates Corp. reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which employees were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, it may include your name, Social Security number, address, date of birth, direct deposit information, driver’s license number, and passport number.

On June 30, 2023, Gates Corp. sent out data breach letters to anyone who was affected by the recent data security incident. In its data breach letter, Gates indicates that it was able to bring its systems back online without paying the hackers’ demanding ransom.

More Information About Gates Corporation

Founded in 1911, Gates Corporation is a manufacturer of power transmission belts and fluid power products based in Denver, Colorado. The company’s products are used in a broad range of industrial and automotive applications, including energy, oil and gas, automotive, transportation, bicycles and agriculture. Gates Corp. employs more than 15,000 people and generates approximately $3.6 billion in annual revenue.