Nearly 71,000 Washington residents affected by the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 2024 cyberattack

Seattle, Washington – The Port of Seattle has confirmed recently that after a cyberattack in August 2024, which affected data systems connected to employee, contractor, and parking services at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and its maritime activities, it has conducted a comprehensive investigation. Ensuring that the safety and operational security of the airport and maritime facilities was intact during the crisis, the cyberattack, discovered on August 24, did not impact vital travel operations or payment processing systems.

The breach let out-of-date Port systems’ personal data be accessed without permission. Roughly 90,000 people are being told by postal letters about the disclosure of their personal data, which consists of a number of names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and restricted medical information. Of those impacted, roughly 71,000 live in Washington state.

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Everyone whose information was exposed will get free credit monitoring services from the Port of Seattle. Affected people are recommended to watch for their notice letters, which will include instructions on how to sign up for these programs. The Port’s authorized cyberattack page provides access to more information and updates.

The event did not compromise the operational capacity of SEA Airport or the Port’s maritime infrastructure or the travel safety. It is also crucial to highlight that the cyberattack did not reach the systems of major airline and cruise partners, nor did it affect federal agencies such the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which remain to operate securely.

Once the cyberattack was found, the Port quickly implemented its incident response procedures, isolating vital systems and shutting down targeted ones to stop further illegal access. This quick reaction included working with cybersecurity and technology professionals to examine the depth and consequences of the data breach and to strengthen the security of the systems going ahead.

Courtesy of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) of

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The Port has increased its cybersecurity efforts as part of its continuous dedication to protect operational and personal data. This covers both quick remedial measures to protect the affected systems and longer-term plans to improve general digital security architecture. The Port keeps an eye on the situation and works with law law enforcement to stop subsequent incidents.

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The Port of Seattle’s proactive measures in handling the breach and open communication with the public and impacted people show its commitment to data protection and customer trust. The Port stays watchful in its attempts to strengthen its digital and operational defenses against developing cyber threats as the situation develops.