Staples Confirms System Outage Was Due to Cyber Attack, Raising the Possibility of a Data Breach | Console and Associates, P.C.

Earlier this week, Staples, Inc. confirmed that it was the recent victim of a cyberattack, requiring the company to shut down portions of its computer network. While Staples is still in the process of bringing its systems back online, it expects normal operations will resume shortly, at which point the company will then investigate whether any employee or customer data was affected. If Staples determines that sensitive information was leaked as a result of the incident, it will send out data breach notification letters to all individuals whose information was affected by the recent data security incident.

If you receive a data breach notification from Staples, Inc., it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, as well as discuss your legal options following a possible Staples data breach. For more information, please see our recent piece on the topic here.

Was There a Staples Data Breach?

It’s too soon to tell if there has been a Staples data breach. The Staples cyberattack was only recently announced, and more information is expected in the near future. However, a Staples spokesperson has provided some information to reporters. Staples also posted a website notice explaining a little about the incident and characterizing it as a “cybersecurity risk.”

According to these sources, on November 27, 2023, Staples Inc.’s cybersecurity team identified a cybersecurity risk. In response, Staples took steps to mitigate the impact of the attack and protect customer data. This resulted in a “temporary disruption” to the company’s backend processing, delivery capabilities, customer service centers and communication channels. All Staples stores remain open, but some online orders are experiencing delays.

Staples has not yet confirmed any data breach. However, based on the nature of the cyberattack, it is at least possible that hackers were able to access certain files containing confidential employee or consumer information.

Staples is not yet at the point of investigating the incident’s impact on sensitive data. However, once the company brings its systems back online, it will very likely look into the possibility of a data breach.

If Staples confirms that the recent cyberattack resulted in leaked consumer or employee information, the company will be required to send out data breach letters to anyone who was affected. These letters should provide victims with a list of what information belonging to them was compromised.

More Information About Staples, Inc.

Founded in 1986, Staples, Inc. is an office supply retailer headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts. Staples sells workspace products such as furniture, technology, and cleaning products, as well as traditional office supplies. Staples operates 994 stores in the United States. Staples employs more than 34,000 people and generates approximately $8.5 billion in annual revenue.