If you’ve seen the headlines, you may have read about Millicom, a multi-billion-dollar global telecom provider that allegedly had 380 million customer records stolen and then attempted to pay the attackers back through a five-year payment plan.
When the hackers refused, the company sent the money anyway.
The next day, the data was listed for sale.
While this story reads like something from a Hollywood script, it highlights a real problem for leaders in Austin, Georgetown, Round Rock, Taylor, and across Central Texas:
Modern cyberattacks are faster, more sophisticated, and increasingly automated.
And many businesses are not prepared for what comes next.
As an Austin cybersecurity company supporting clients across the region, we’re using this incident to help local organizations understand what happened, what it means, and how to protect themselves without getting lost in technical jargon.
The Real Business Problem: Cyber Risks Now Move Faster Than Decision-Making
Most business owners don’t think their organization could ever negotiate with cybercriminals. But nearly every major breach starts the same way:
A known vulnerability
A missed update
A compromised credential
A cloud configuration that “should be fine”
In the Millicom case, attackers exploited CVE-2024-2577, gained access to AWS credentials, and eventually accessed database backups in S3 buckets.
The company may not have even realized the breach had happened until the hackers reached out with their demands.
This is the part that should concern every leader:
You can’t protect data you don’t know is exposed.
And you can’t negotiate your way out of a breach that’s already happened.
The Stakes: What Happens When Breaches Go Public
Some companies recover from a cyberattack.
Most don’t recover easily.
The unseen costs include:
- Loss of trust with customers
- Public disclosure requirements
- Legal and regulatory consequences
- Disruption to daily operations
- Long-term damage to brand reputation
- Financial losses that extend years beyond the incident
Millicom didn’t publicly announce the breach, didn’t notify customers, and didn’t file an 8-K with the SEC.
Whether this was intentional or due to internal chaos, the result is the same:
The story got out anyway.
When cybercriminals publish your data, you lose control of the narrative.
A Better Path: Proactive Security for Local Businesses
Central Texas businesses don’t need enterprise-level budgets to protect themselves.
They just need a practical framework that reduces the most common risks.
At CTTS, we guide organizations through a simple and proven approach:
1. Close the Easy Doors First
Most attacks succeed because of basic gaps.
We help businesses shore up:
Endpoint protection
Multi-factor authentication
Email filtering
Patch management
Firewall hygiene
These are the fundamentals attackers exploit most often.
2. Strengthen Your Cloud Footprint
Cloud misconfigurations are now a leading cause of breaches.
We review Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, and key third-party systems to ensure the environment is secure and monitored.
3. Build a Response Plan Before You Need It
The worst time to build an incident response plan is during the incident itself.
We help companies create:
Communication workflows
Containment steps
Vendor coordination procedures
Executive decision guidelines
Leaders make better decisions when the pressure isn’t at its peak.
4. Monitor Systems 24/7
Attackers work around the clock.
Your protection should too.
CTTS uses advanced monitoring tools designed specifically for small to midsize businesses so threats are caught early.
5. Train Employees to Spot Risks
People remain the #1 attack vector.
Short, consistent cybersecurity training dramatically reduces the chance of a successful breach.
Your Business Doesn’t Need Fear. It Needs a Plan.
The Millicom incident is a reminder that cybercriminals don’t just go after global corporations. They go after whoever is vulnerable.
In fast-growing regions like Austin, Round Rock, and Taylor, attackers know many organizations are scaling rapidly—and that rapid growth often brings security gaps.
You don’t have to fix everything overnight. You just need a trusted guide who understands both technology and business.
CTTS has been protecting Central Texas businesses for more than 20 years with managed IT services, cloud security, and modern cyber defense strategies designed for real-world operations.
If you want confidence that your organization is protected, schedule a free strategy session with our team.
FAQ
What kinds of businesses are at the highest risk?
Any organization that stores customer data, processes transactions, or operates remotely. Construction, legal, healthcare, education, and professional services are currently top targets in Central Texas.
How do I know if my business has already been compromised?
Strange logins, unexplained slowdowns, MFA prompts you didn’t request, or unexpected access-denied errors are common early signs. CTTS can perform a confidential assessment.
Is cybersecurity too expensive for small businesses?
Not anymore. Modern tools and managed services make enterprise-level protection accessible to organizations of all sizes.
Contact CTTS today for IT support and managed services in Austin, TX. Let us handle your IT so you can focus on growing your business. Visit CTTSonline.com or call us at (512) 388-5559 to get started!