The Paper Works

On March 30, 2016, The Paper Works experienced a physical data breach when thieves broke into their office and stole a laptop and a computer tower containing sensitive customer information. The compromised data included names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of affected individuals, though the exact number of impacted customers remains unknown. The breach was reported to the California Office of the Attorney General on May 18, 2016. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in physical security measures, as unauthorized access to hardware led to the exposure of personally identifiable information (PII). Unlike cyber-based attacks, this breach stemmed from a theft of physical devices, yet the consequences mirror those of digital breaches potential identity theft, financial fraud, or reputational harm for affected individuals. The company’s failure to disclose the number of victims further complicates risk assessment for impacted parties. Given the nature of the stolen data (including SSNs), the breach poses long-term risks for customers, such as fraudulent account openings or credit damage. The delay in public disclosure (nearly two months) may have also exacerbated vulnerabilities, leaving customers uninformed and exposed for an extended period.

Source: https://oag.ca.gov/ecrime/databreach/reports/sb24-61876

TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/paperworks-industries-inc-

"id": "pap1017090725",
"linkid": "paperworks-industries-inc-",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "3/2016",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"

{'affected_entities': [{'location': 'California, USA',
                        'name': 'The Paper Works',
                        'type': 'Business'}],
 'attack_vector': 'Physical Theft (Office Break-In)',
 'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Yes (via physical theft)',
                 'personally_identifiable_information': ['Names',
                                                         'Addresses',
                                                         'Social Security '
                                                         'Numbers'],
                 'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (SSNs included)',
                 'type_of_data_compromised': ['Personally Identifiable '
                                              'Information (PII)']},
 'date_detected': '2016-03-30',
 'date_publicly_disclosed': '2016-05-18',
 'description': 'The California Office of the Attorney General reported a data '
                'breach involving The Paper Works on May 18, 2016. The breach '
                'occurred on March 30, 2016, due to an office break-in that '
                'led to the theft of a laptop and a computer tower containing '
                'sensitive customer information, including names, addresses, '
                'and social security numbers for affected individuals.',
 'impact': {'data_compromised': ['Names',
                                 'Addresses',
                                 'Social Security Numbers'],
            'identity_theft_risk': 'High (SSNs compromised)',
            'systems_affected': ['Laptop', 'Computer Tower']},
 'post_incident_analysis': {'root_causes': 'Inadequate physical security '
                                           'measures for devices containing '
                                           'sensitive data'},
 'references': [{'date_accessed': '2016-05-18',
                 'source': 'California Office of the Attorney General'}],
 'regulatory_compliance': {'regulatory_notifications': 'California Office of '
                                                       'the Attorney General'},
 'response': {'law_enforcement_notified': 'Yes (California Office of the '
                                          'Attorney General)'},
 'title': 'Data Breach at The Paper Works Due to Office Break-In',
 'type': 'Data Breach (Physical Theft)',
 'vulnerability_exploited': 'Lack of Physical Security for Sensitive Devices'}