Google-Salesforce Data Breach: Google Ads Customer Data Exposed

The Google-Salesforce data breach just keeps getting worse, with the tech giant confirming that the exposed information included some from Google Ads customers.

Data breaches are, simply put, the worst. They cost businesses a lot of money and they make the online world just a little less secure for everyday people.

This Google breach is a doozy too, with a lot of data being stolen through the Salesforce CRM that could have a far-reaching impact on the company and its customers.

Google Ads Customer Data Confirmed Exposed

According to the company, a security breached suffered by Google has exposed data of Google Ads customers.

“We’re writing to let you know about an event that affected a limited set of data in one of Google’s corporate Salesforce instances used to communicate with prospective Ads customers.” – Google breach notification, from BleepingComputer

At the beginning of August, Google disclosed that it was one of the many companies that were targeted through the Salesforce CRM for data breaches. The full scope of the breach, which hit companies like Adidas, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and Qantas Airways, among others, remains to be seen.

What Google Ads Customer Data Was Exposed?

The question on everyone’s mind when data breaches occur is what kind of data was actually exposed. When it comes to platforms like Google Ads, there is a lot of valuable information being passed around between the company and its customers.

“Our records indicate basic business contact information and related notes were impacted by this event.” – Google spokesperson

Fortunately, the company notes that no payment information was exposed, and that all data within the Google Ads Account, Google Analytics, Merchant Center, and any other Ads platforms were still secure.

How to Protect Your Business From Breaches

When these kind of breaches happen, it’s easy to feel helpless. After all, if a massive corporation like Google can get hacked, what could you possibly do to prevent your business from falling victim?

The reality is that there is a lot you can do to keep your business from being hacked. While technology is constantly improving, many of these attacks use social engineering and human error to gain access to systems.

That means that, if you can train your staff to notice the telltale signs of cybersecurity threats, you’ll be able to stave off security breaches more effectively than even Google.

Check out our in-depth cybersecurity guide to learn more