--- title: Are You A Target? description: When you think about organizations that have experienced a data breach, what are the first ones that come to mind? If you’re like most people, chances are your answers were likely Target, Home Depot, The IRS, Anthem Blue Cross, or any of the other big-name breaches. image: https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Gray%20Webbing_Muted.png --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/whiteboard-wednesday-target#main) [![cropped-Ascend-Technologies\_Vertical\_FullColor\_White](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png?width=150&height=118&name=cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png) ![cropped-Ascend-Technologies\_Vertical\_FullColor\_White](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png?width=150&height=118&name=cropped-Ascend-Technologies_Vertical_FullColor_White.png)](https://teamascend.com/) - [Show submenu for Services Services](http://teamascend.com/services/) - [Show submenu for IT Consulting IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - [Healthcare Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/healthcare/) - [Show submenu for Cybersecurity Cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/) - [Ascend Defend | Microsoft Security](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-security-ascend-defend/) - [Managed Detection & Response](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/managed-detection-response/) - [Identity Protection & MFA](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/identity-protection-mfa/) - [Email Security](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/email-security/) - [Perimeter Security](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/perimeter-security-ngfw/) - [vCISO](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/vciso/) - [Security Risk Assessment](https://teamascend.com/services/it-assessments/security-risk-assessment/) - [Penetration Testing](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/penetration-testing/) - [Vulnerability Management](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/vulnerability-management-program/) - [Security Awareness Training](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/security-awareness-program/) - [Show submenu for IT Infrastructure IT Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/) - [24/7 Support Desk](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/support-desk/) - [VCIO](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/vcio/) - [Managed Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/managed-infrastructure-services/) - [Data Protection (BaaS)](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/data-protection/) - [Onsite Rounding](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/onsite-rounding/) - [Application Administration Services](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/application-administration/) - [IT Infrastructure Assessment](https://teamascend.com/services/it-assessments/infrastructure-assessment/) - [Product](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/product/) - [Show submenu for Cloud Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) - [Ascend Cloud | Managed Private Data Center](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/edafio-cloud/) - [Hybrid Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/hybrid-cloud-solutions/) - [Cloud Security (CSPM)](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/cloud-security-posture-management/) - [Cloud Assessment](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/cloud-assessment/) - [Digitial Workspace Deployment](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/digital-workspace-deployment/) - [Cloud Migration](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/cloud-migration/) - [Show submenu for Microsoft Services Microsoft Services](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Ascend Defend | Microsoft Security](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-security-ascend-defend/) - [Microsoft 365 Copilot](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot/) - [Microsoft Licensing](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-licensing/) - [Microsoft 365 Management](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-management/) - [Microsoft 365 Migration](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Show submenu for Salesforce Salesforce](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/) - [Consulting Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-consulting-services/) - [Implementation Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-implementation-services/) - [Managed Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-managed-services/) - [Embedded Experts](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-embedded-experts/) - [Optimization Assessment](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-optimization-assessment/) - [Salesforce AppExchange](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-appexchange/) - [HubSpot Services](https://teamascend.com/services/hubspot-services/) - [App Development](https://teamascend.com/services/application-development/) - [Show submenu for Industries Industries](https://teamascend.com/industries/) - [Financial Services](https://teamascend.com/industries/financial-services/) - [Private Equity](https://teamascend.com/industries/private-equity/) - [Insurance](https://teamascend.com/industries/insurance/) - [Manufacturing](https://teamascend.com/industries/manufacturing/) - [Healthcare](https://teamascend.com/industries/healthcare/) - [Legal](https://teamascend.com/industries/legal/) - [Accounting](https://teamascend.com/industries/accounting/) - [Show submenu for Resources Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - [Client Success Stories](https://teamascend.com/client-success-stories/) - [Events](https://teamascend.com/events/) - [Solutions-Focused PDFs](https://teamascend.com/resources/#solutions) - [Blog](https://blog.teamascend.com/) - [Webinars](https://teamascend.com/resources/?_resource_type=webinar) - [All Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - Show submenu for Company Company - [About Ascend Technologies](https://teamascend.com/about/) - [Leadership Team](https://teamascend.com/about/team/) - [Partners With Us](https://teamascend.com/about/partner-with-us/) - [Awards & Recognitions](https://teamascend.com/about/awards/) - [Certifications](https://teamascend.com/about/certifications/) - [Careers](https://teamascend.com/careers/) - [Internships](https://teamascend.com/careers/internships/) - [Connect](https://teamascend.com/contact/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Services Services - Services - [Services](http://teamascend.com/services/) - Show submenu for IT Consulting IT Consulting - IT Consulting - [IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - [Healthcare Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/healthcare/) - Show submenu for Cybersecurity Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity - [Cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/) - [Ascend Defend | Microsoft Security](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-security-ascend-defend/) - [Managed Detection & Response](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/managed-detection-response/) - [Identity Protection & MFA](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/identity-protection-mfa/) - [Email Security](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/email-security/) - [Perimeter Security](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/perimeter-security-ngfw/) - [vCISO](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/vciso/) - [Security Risk Assessment](https://teamascend.com/services/it-assessments/security-risk-assessment/) - [Penetration Testing](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/penetration-testing/) - [Vulnerability Management](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/vulnerability-management-program/) - [Security Awareness Training](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/security-awareness-program/) - Show submenu for IT Infrastructure IT Infrastructure - IT Infrastructure - [IT Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/) - [24/7 Support Desk](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/support-desk/) - [VCIO](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/vcio/) - [Managed Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/managed-infrastructure-services/) - [Data Protection (BaaS)](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/data-protection/) - [Onsite Rounding](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/onsite-rounding/) - [Application Administration Services](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/application-administration/) - [IT Infrastructure Assessment](https://teamascend.com/services/it-assessments/infrastructure-assessment/) - [Product](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/product/) - Show submenu for Cloud Cloud - Cloud - [Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) - [Ascend Cloud | Managed Private Data Center](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/edafio-cloud/) - [Hybrid Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/hybrid-cloud-solutions/) - [Cloud Security (CSPM)](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/cloud-security-posture-management/) - [Cloud Assessment](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/cloud-assessment/) - [Digitial Workspace Deployment](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/digital-workspace-deployment/) - [Cloud Migration](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/cloud-migration/) - Show submenu for Microsoft Services Microsoft Services - Microsoft Services - [Microsoft Services](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Ascend Defend | Microsoft Security](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-security-ascend-defend/) - [Microsoft 365 Copilot](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot/) - [Microsoft Licensing](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-licensing/) - [Microsoft 365 Management](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-management/) - [Microsoft 365 Migration](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - Show submenu for Salesforce Salesforce - Salesforce - [Salesforce](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/) - [Consulting Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-consulting-services/) - [Implementation Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-implementation-services/) - [Managed Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-managed-services/) - [Embedded Experts](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-embedded-experts/) - [Optimization Assessment](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-optimization-assessment/) - [Salesforce AppExchange](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/salesforce-appexchange/) - [HubSpot Services](https://teamascend.com/services/hubspot-services/) - [App Development](https://teamascend.com/services/application-development/) - Show submenu for Industries Industries - Industries - [Industries](https://teamascend.com/industries/) - [Financial Services](https://teamascend.com/industries/financial-services/) - [Private Equity](https://teamascend.com/industries/private-equity/) - [Insurance](https://teamascend.com/industries/insurance/) - [Manufacturing](https://teamascend.com/industries/manufacturing/) - [Healthcare](https://teamascend.com/industries/healthcare/) - [Legal](https://teamascend.com/industries/legal/) - [Accounting](https://teamascend.com/industries/accounting/) - Show submenu for Resources Resources - Resources - [Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - [Client Success Stories](https://teamascend.com/client-success-stories/) - [Events](https://teamascend.com/events/) - [Solutions-Focused PDFs](https://teamascend.com/resources/#solutions) - [Blog](https://blog.teamascend.com/) - [Webinars](https://teamascend.com/resources/?_resource_type=webinar) - [All Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - Show submenu for Company Company - Company - [About Ascend Technologies](https://teamascend.com/about/) - [Leadership Team](https://teamascend.com/about/team/) - [Partners With Us](https://teamascend.com/about/partner-with-us/) - [Awards & Recognitions](https://teamascend.com/about/awards/) - [Certifications](https://teamascend.com/about/certifications/) - [Careers](https://teamascend.com/careers/) - [Internships](https://teamascend.com/careers/internships/) - [Connect](https://teamascend.com/contact/) - [24/7 Client Services](https://portal-ascend.okta.com/) [24/7 Client Services](https://portal-ascend.okta.com/) Cybersecurity Tips & Best Practices # Are You A Target? ![Default Author](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Vertical_Blue.png) TEAM ASCEND August 16, 2017 - [![LinkedIn](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/LinkedIn-color%20(1).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fwhiteboard-wednesday-target) - [![Facebook](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%203%20(1).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fwhiteboard-wednesday-target) - [![Email](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%20427320686.svg)](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EAre+You+A+Target%3F%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fwhiteboard-wednesday-target) ![](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Gray%20Webbing_Muted.png) When you think about organizations that have experienced a data breach, what are the first ones that come to mind? If you’re like most people, chances are your answers were likely Target, Home Depot, The IRS, Anthem Blue Cross, or any of the other big-name breaches that have occurred in the last few years. While these are the breaches that make headlines and stick out in our minds, they are far from the only companies that are being targeted by hackers. A staggering[ 50% of small business have experienced a data breach](https://www.paychex.com/articles/human-resources/creating-cyber-security-culture) today as they struggle to find the right resources to secure their networks. #### Why Your Business is a Target for Data Breaches Small and Medium-sized business owners and executives say, "I don't have anything hackers want." Studies show that over half of small businesses don't allocate budget for risk mitigation because they "don't store any valuable data." But almost every organization does! It's obvious for banks, credit unions, and healthcare facilities, but other businesses have data too. - Email addresses - Phone numbers - Billing addresses - Bank accounts - Employee records - Customer data - Proprietary data Over 5.5 million data records are stolen every single day, but cyberattacks like Ransomware don't have to steal your data to impact your business. Compromised machines can become parts of botnets for larger attacks across the internet. The aftermath of cyberattacks is staggering. On average, a small business spends $879,582 in a cyber breach, while they lose almost a million dollars in productivity due to that breach. Where are all these attacks coming from? The majority of the time, attacks can be traced to an internal employee unknowingly causing the attack — we often refer to this as "human error." So what should you do? At Ascend Technologies, we apply a "Defense in Depth" approach, which involves layering security services together to improve the security posture of organizations like yours. For our updated lineup of services, check out [Managed Security Services](https://www.infogressive.com/managed-security-services/) for more information. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2733374/f8167f7b-699a-436d-942f-baaffcf83654.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2733374/f8167f7b-699a-436d-942f-baaffcf83654)   ### Table of Contents #### Get Insights Sent to Your Inbox ## Related Articles ![How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/software-engineers-collaborating-on-code-in-office-2026-09-21-23-15-07-utc.jpg) Cybersecurity Tips & Best Practices ### [How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) September 24, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) ![How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1458786464.jpeg) Cybersecurity Tips & Best Practices ### [How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) September 22, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) ![What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/woman-working-from-home-at-desk-with-laptop-2026-03-13-01-57-07-utc.jpg) Cybersecurity Tips & Best Practices ### [What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) September 17, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) [![Ascend Technologies](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png?width=200&height=107&name=Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png)](https://teamascend.com/) Contact 833-639-2285 - - - - - - Company - [About](https://teamascend.com/about/) - [Services](https://teamascend.com/services/) - [Testimonials](https://teamascend.com/client-success-stories/) - [Partner With Us](https://teamascend.com/about/partner-with-us/) - [Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://teamascend.com/contact/) - [Careers](https://teamascend.com/careers/) - Services - [IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - [Cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/) - [IT Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/) - [Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) - [24/7 Support Desk](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/support-desk/) - [Microsoft Services](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Salesforce Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/) - [HubSpot Services](https://teamascend.com/services/hubspot-services/) - [App Development](https://teamascend.com/services/application-development/) ### Empowering Technology. Powered by People. Technology is critical to businesses across all industries. Today's technology must be smart, reliable, adaptable, and secure. At Ascend Technologies, we deliver solutions at the highest level, from cloud computing to proactive cybersecurity strategies to Salesforce excellence. And the team? As impressive as the tech. Our practical support is focused on one thing: your success. Let's see what we can do together. [Contact Us](https://teamascend.com/contact/) ©2026 Ascend Technologies, LLC, All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://teamascend.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "WebPage", "breadcrumb" : { "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.teamascend.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 } ] }, "dateModified" : "2023-10-27T14🇲🇲31", "description" : "When you think about organizations that have experienced a data breach, what are the first ones that come to mind? If you’re like most people, chances are your answers were likely Target, Home Depot, The IRS, Anthem Blue Cross, or any of the other big-name breaches.", "name" : "Are You A Target?", "primaryImageOfPage" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://content.teamascend.com/hubfs/Gray%20Webbing_Muted.png" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://content.teamascend.com/hubfs/Ascend-Technologies-HubSpot-Logo.png" }, "name" : "Ascend Technologies", "url" : "https://blog.teamascend.com" }, "url" : "https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/whiteboard-wednesday-target" } ```