A new 4IQ report found that 12,449 data breaches occurred in 2018, which is a staggering increase of 424% compared to the year before. However, the number of records exposed per breach was 4.7 times lower than in 2017, namely a drop from over 1 million records per breach to 216,884. In terms of exposed identity information, organizations in the United States and China were hit the hardest, accounting for 47% of exposed records of this kind. The number of stolen identity records being sold and traded on underground web forums rose by 71%.

The researchers point out that breaches have become so common that people are no longer shocked or surprised  to find out about a new incident. ‘With breaches being reported on an almost daily basis, “breach fatigue” has set in, with their occurrence becoming the “new normal,”’ the report reads.

Read more: 12,449 Data Breaches Confirmed in 2018, a 424% Increase Over the Previous Year