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Oct 11, 2024 • 4 min read

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Hurricane Milton Aftermath:

The aftermath of Hurricane Milton has left Florida dealing with widespread destruction, significant flooding, and power outages affecting millions of residents. The storm first hit near Siesta Key on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing strong winds exceeding 100 mph and heavy rain.
Coastal areas, especially Sarasota and Tampa Bay, experienced storm surges up to 10 feet, while heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in both coastal and inland regions. As the storm moved inland, it spawned multiple tornadoes, particularly in St. Lucie County, where five lives were lost. These tornadoes tore through homes and businesses, adding to the destruction caused by the hurricane. In total, 27 tornadoes were reported across the state, further complicating rescue efforts and leaving communities in disarray.
Over 3.2 million homes and businesses lost power during the storm, and significant damage occurred to infrastructure. Early estimates suggest that the total damage from Hurricane Milton could reach $50 billion, with recovery efforts focused on clearing debris, restoring power, and assisting displaced residents. While the state avoided the worst-case scenario, Florida faces a long recovery from the storm’s impact.

Fidelity Cyberattack:

Fidelity Investments has confirmed that a cyberattack in August 2024 led to the exposure of personal information for more than 77,000 customers. Between August 17 and 19, attackers used two newly created customer accounts to gain unauthorized access to Fidelity’s systems. The company detected the breach on August 19, promptly shutting down access and initiating an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts.
To mitigate the impact, the company is providing two years of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services to those impacted. While there is no evidence that the stolen data has been misused, Fidelity advises customers to stay alert by monitoring their financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity. This breach highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities that even major organizations face, despite robust cybersecurity measures.
This incident underscores the increasing cybersecurity threats facing all businesses, particularly those handling sensitive data. The rising complexity of cyberattacks means that businesses must continuously evolve their security protocols to protect customer data and maintain trust. This breach at Fidelity serves as a reminder of the need for organizations handling sensitive data to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing cyber risks.

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