Last updated 1 week ago
In January 2026, Panera Bread experienced a significant data breach that exposed 14 million records, including 5.1 million unique email addresses. The breach occurred when attackers attempted to extort the company, and after the extortion failed, they publicly released the stolen data. The compromised information consisted of customer contact details including names, phone numbers, and physical addresses. Panera Bread confirmed that the breach involved contact information and stated that appropriate authorities had been notified. The incident highlights the risks associated with extortion-based attacks and the potential consequences when negotiations fail.
Data breach after attempted extortion failed, leading to public data publication
The breach demonstrates failures in data protection controls and incident response preparedness. Recommendations include implementing stronger data encryption, enhancing monitoring for unauthorized data access, developing comprehensive incident response plans for extortion scenarios, and ensuring timely notification procedures are in place to minimize damage when breaches occur.
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Disclosed
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