On October 25, 2023, Seiko Group Corporation (“Seiko”) posted an update on its website regarding a recent ransomware attack that resulted in hackers being able to access the company’s computer network. In this notice, Seiko explains that the incident resulted in an unauthorized party being able to access sensitive information belonging to customers and employees. Upon completing its investigation, Seiko will begin to send out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.
If you receive a data breach notification from Seiko Group Corporation, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. 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 Seiko data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.
What Caused the Data Breach Affecting Seiko?
The Seiko data breach was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, Seiko’s October 25, 2023 post provides some important information on what led up to the breach. According to this source, on July 28, 2023, Seiko detected unauthorized access to portions of its IT network. In response, Seiko launched an investigation with the assistance of outside cybersecurity specialists. Seiko also reported the incident to law enforcement.
The Seiko investigation confirmed that approximately 60,000 items of personal data held by Seiko were compromised. After learning that sensitive consumer data was accessible to an unauthorized party, Seiko reviewed the compromised files to determine what information was leaked and which consumers were impacted. While the breached information varies depending on the individual, Seiko explained that the incident impacted customers, job applicants, current & former employees, as well as counterparties involved in business transactions.
As of October 25, 2023, Seiko indicated that it had begun sending out data breach letters to anyone who was affected by the recent data security incident and that it will continue to do so as more information becomes available. These letters should provide victims with a list of what information belonging to them was compromised.
More Information About Seiko Group Corporation
Founded in 1881, Seiko Group Corporation is a manufacturing company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Seiko manufactures a wide range of watches, clocks, electronic devices, semiconductors, and optical products for global distribution. The company has more than a dozen subsidiaries; however, only Seiko Watch Corporation (SWC) and Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII) appears to have been affected by the recent ransomware attack. Seiko employs more than 11,984 people and generates approximately $1.8 billion in annual revenue.
