Cannon Corporation, doing business under the brand name CannonDesign, is notifying customers about a data breach that occurred earlier this year. CannonDesign is a well-known US-based architecture, engineering and consulting firm known for its work on high-profile projects such as university buildings, hospitals and sports stadiums. The CannonDesign data breach, which has raised concerns about the security of sensitive information, primarily impacted current and former CannonDesign employees and their dependents.
“Cannon Corporation (“Cannon Design”) announces recent events that affect the security of information relating to current or former employees of Cannon Design and their dependents,” the official notice reads.
CannonDesign Data Breach Details
On January 25, 2023, CannonDesign detected suspicious activity within its computer network and initiated rapid response to ensure the security of its systems and minimize operational disruption. A thorough investigation was launched to determine the scope of the breach.
It was discovered that between January 19, 2023 and January 25, 2023, an unauthorized third party accessed certain portions of CannonDesign’s network. An investigation revealed that confidential information of certain individuals was accessed or obtained by the unauthorized third party.
CannonDesign completed a thorough investigation of the affected data by May 3, 2024. We have found no evidence that the compromised information was used for identity theft or fraud, but as a precautionary measure we are notifying all potentially affected individuals.
Information leakage
The information exposed in the CannonDesign data breach included a combination of personal information, including:
- name
- contact address
- Social Security or Social Insurance Number
- Driver’s license or state issued ID number
- Passport number
- date of birth
The compromised data is considered to be highly sensitive, potentially putting affected individuals at risk of identity theft and fraud.
Canon Design’s response and measures
CannonDesign takes the data breach very seriously and immediately began an investigation to assess the scope of the incident and ensure the security of our networks. We also notified applicable state regulators as required by law, and are working to implement additional security measures to prevent future incidents.
In an official notice, Canon Design reassured customers and employees of its commitment to protecting personal information and stressed that it is taking steps to strengthen the security of its systems.
Guidance for affected individuals
CannonDesign urges all potentially affected individuals to take precautions to protect their personal information. The company advises reviewing account statements and monitoring credit reports for suspicious activity. Under U.S. law, consumers are entitled to receive a free credit report once a year from the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Individuals can order a free credit report by visiting http://www.annualcreditreport.com or calling 1-877-322-8228.
Fraud warnings and credit freezes
To further protect their credit, individuals can place a fraud alert or credit freeze on their credit file for free. A fraud alert notifies companies to verify a consumer’s identity before granting new credit, helping to prevent identity theft. An initial fraud alert lasts for one year, while an extended fraud alert, available to victims of identity theft, lasts for seven years.
A credit freeze, on the other hand, limits access to a consumer’s credit report without explicit permission, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in the consumer’s name. Although a credit freeze offers strong protection, it can also slow or impede the approval process for new loans and credit accounts. Under federal law, credit reporting agencies cannot charge consumers for placing or lifting a credit freeze.
CannonDesign understands that affected individuals may have additional questions or concerns regarding the data breach. The company has established a dedicated helpline at 833-918-4990, available Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm (excluding major US holidays). Individuals may also contact CannonDesign in writing at 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 200, Buffalo, New York 14202.
