Report of the Data Breach Incident – Marriott International Data Breach (2018)

Report of the Data Breach Incident – Marriott International Data Breach (2018)

Part 1: Report of the Incident

The Company

Marriott International is a global hospitality company that operates and franchises hotels and lodging facilities worldwide. With its extensive portfolio of brands, including Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, and Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International is one of the largest hotel chains in the world.

Instruments

The Marriott International data breach involved a sophisticated attack that lasted from 2014 to September 2018. The attackers gained unauthorized access to the Starwood guest reservation database, which contained personal information of approximately 500 million guests. The attack involved tactics such as exploiting vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure and using stolen credentials to access sensitive data.

The Events

The breach was discovered on September 8, 2018, following an internal security alert triggered by an unauthorized attempt to access the guest reservation database. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the attackers had been accessing and exfiltrating data since 2014. The stolen information included names, addresses, passport numbers, payment card details, and other personal and travel-related information.

Outcomes

The Marriott International data breach had significant consequences for both the company and the affected individuals. The breach resulted in reputational damage for Marriott International, leading to a decline in customer trust and potential financial losses. Additionally, affected individuals faced the risk of identity theft, fraud, and other malicious activities that could be initiated using their compromised personal information.

Part 2: Analysis and Recommendations

Ethics Analysis

From an ethical perspective, Marriott International should have prioritized the protection of guest data by implementing robust security measures and regularly assessing their systems for vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the company should have promptly detected and responded to the breach to mitigate the potential harm to individuals affected by the incident. An early detection and response could have reduced the scope and impact of the data breach.

Recommendations

Policy: Marriott International should establish comprehensive data protection policies that include strict access controls, regular security assessments, and incident response protocols. These policies should align with industry standards and best practices.
Technological: Implementing advanced cybersecurity technologies, such as intrusion detection systems, encryption, and two-factor authentication, can significantly enhance data security. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should also be conducted to identify and address any weaknesses in the network infrastructure.
Organizational: Marriott International should invest in employee training programs to raise awareness about cybersecurity risks and best practices. This includes educating employees on how to identify phishing attempts, the importance of strong passwords, and the proper handling of sensitive data.

Conclusion

The Marriott International data breach highlights the potential consequences of inadequate security measures in protecting sensitive customer information. From an ethical standpoint, companies must prioritize data privacy and take proactive measures to prevent breaches. By implementing comprehensive policies, employing advanced technologies, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness within the organization, companies like Marriott International can better protect customer data and mitigate the impact of potential breaches.