Aflac Reports Cybersecurity Breach Potentially Exposing Customer Data

Aflac reported a cybersecurity breach on its U.S. network on June 12, attributed to a sophisticated cybercrime group. The incident potentially exposed customer personal information, including social security numbers and health details, but the total number of affected individuals is still under investigation. The insurer quickly contained the breach within hours and engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to conduct a detailed review.

This breach highlights the increasing cybersecurity risks faced by health insurers, following a significant attack on UnitedHealth last year that compromised data for approximately 100 million individuals. Aflac, which manages data for over 50 million policyholders, including in accident and pet insurance, saw its shares decline 1.3% in premarket trading after the disclosure.

The incident underscores the importance of robust cyber defenses and monitoring within the U.S. insurance sector, given the sensitive nature of health and financial data handled by carriers. Ongoing regulatory and compliance focus on data security remains critical as cyber threats evolve and target industry players.