Cyber Incident Victim: Convergent Outsourcing
Date:
Jun 2022
Location:
United States of America
Summary
Convergent Outsourcing experienced a ransomware attack that compromised sensitive consumer data, including names, contact information, financial account numbers, and Social Security numbers. The breach occurred after unauthorized actors executed a malware attack, disrupting systems and accessing files containing personal information. The company secured its IT infrastructure, conducted an investigation to identify impacted individuals, and subsequently notified affected consumers via data breach letters. As a provider of debt-collection and call center services, the incident exposed vulnerabilities in safeguarding client data, highlighting risks associated with unauthorized access to sensitive financial and personal details.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On June 17, 2022, Convergent Outsourcing, Inc. identified a potential data security incident when portions of its computer systems experienced operational disruptions. The company immediately secured its IT infrastructure and initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause and scope of the event. The investigation confirmed that an unauthorized actor had executed a malware attack, later identified as ransomware, which compromised system functionality and permitted access to sensitive consumer data. Between the initial system disruption and the completion of the investigation, attackers exfiltrated files containing personally identifiable information. Convergent Outsourcing conducted a comprehensive review of the affected files to identify compromised data elements and impacted individuals. The analysis revealed that exposed information included names, contact details, financial account numbers, and Social Security numbers, with specific data combinations varying per affected consumer.
Convergent Outsourcing formally reported the breach to the Montana Attorney General's office on October 26, 2022, exactly four months after detecting the incident. The company concurrently dispatched individualized data breach notifications via mail to all affected parties, detailing the compromised information types and providing guidance on fraud prevention measures. As a Washington-based business services firm specializing in debt collection and call center operations since 1950, Convergent maintained databases containing sensitive consumer financial information across its nine call centers. The ransomware attack exploited vulnerabilities in the company's digital infrastructure, enabling unauthorized access without specifying the exact duration of attacker presence within systems prior to detection. No information regarding ransom demands, payment, or data publication on dark web forums was disclosed in the Montana Attorney General filing. The breach exposed systemic security deficiencies at an organization handling sensitive financial data for corporate clients, impacting an undisclosed number of consumers whose data required protection under breach notification statutes.