September 16, 2025 Avoid Headline Hype: The Best Response to Breach News

While some headlines make data leaks sound like the end of the world, here’s what they really mean — and how you should respond.

By Mike Kosak, Senior Principal Intelligence Analyst, LastPass

Stolen credentials are everywhere. Between the ongoing explosion of information-stealing malware (aka infostealers), exposed databases, and the ongoing shift of ransomware gangs away from simple encryption and more towards data exfiltration and extortion, the internet is awash in exposed credentials. And like Pokémon, people want to collect them — some for good reasons (like victim notification, password reuse prevention, and data analysis) and some for bad (like stealing money from retirees, identity theft, and illicit network access). When you put a bunch of valuable stuff in one place, it inevitably becomes a target. When that target is accessed and released, it draws a lot of media attention, much of it seeking to drive clicks and fear. The truth, however, is that these sorts of headlines must be viewed with a jaundiced eye; not every report of a breach requires an emergency response. For some perspective, let’s look at a recent headline.

A few months ago, reporting broke regarding a trove of 16 billion stolen/leaked credentials. Many of the initial headlines portrayed the credentials as representing a “new” leak, when really, the data was almost entirely comprimised of old infostealer logs or other previously exposed credentials. For many organizations, a headline like this leads to an immediate crisis response with a full emergency activation of incident protocols. While a quick and accurate triage of a breach is always the right answer, it’s important to frame the response based on the severity of the breach. Putting a breach into context is the best way to initiate a focused security approach, both to avoid unnecessary churn and to prevent burnout of already highly stressed security teams.

Creating an effective response to any uncovered leak is as simple as asking a few simple questions, helping you know exactly when to let your security teams focus on other tasks or immediately get them involved. Let’s take a look at what questions to ask so your organization can frame “massive credential breach” reporting in the right light and respond in a measured and timely fashion.

1) Is the breach actually new?

Don’t trust the headlines. The first question businesses should be asking? “Is this data actually what it’s being portrayed as?” Of course, “16 billion credentials leaked” will always make the headlines, but a deeper look at that particular breach revealed much of that data was previously exposed. If the data in a breach is new, it is more of an issue than if the data is recycled. It’s possible that credentials exposed in old leaks may already be null and void; those previously impacted should have already changed their passwords, or your organization may have already addressed those leaked credentials. If this is the case, there’s no need to manufacture a crisis; follow your existing processes and response times while allowing your security teams to focus on more significant, impactful threats. Taking the time to verify the scope, timeliness, and veracity of a breach can prevent further unnecessary work and save hours of labor. Conversely, if the data is legitimate and new, the appropriate priority for next steps can be set against existing issues and the right resources can be aligned.

2) Is the data available to review?

Sometimes, the data from a leak is openly available. If that’s the case, attempt to acquire the data and assign an analytical priority commensurate to track down the age of the data. If it’s old and previously exposed, there will be less of a rush. However, you should assume other individuals or organizations, including threat actors, are also checking the information and may use it in a new wave of attacks, so expediency is still advised at this point. 

3) What is our exposure?

Irrespective of the age of the data, if you can access it, the first thing to do is look for your own credentials and assume someone else is doing the same thing to try and access your systems.  This is exactly where you want to apply maximum resources. Understanding the potential extent and impact of a credential exposure is the core issue here, particularly for newly exposed data. Determining exactly what has happened and where you are vulnerable is the best way to develop a response strategy before further damage is done.

4) If you have exposed credentials, follow your playbooks.

Having a standard, written, repeatable process that has been drilled regularly allows the rest of the necessary response to flow smoothly. If your company has been exposed in a data breach, the next step is to immediately activate a predefined response and mitigation plan. By having clearly enumerated next steps, you create a structured path forward that sets time boundaries for the response without having to develop a plan on the fly. This not only helps your team stay focused and limits the risk of physical and mental burnout but also ensures that senior leadership has clear visibility into and confidence in what actions are being taken and why — all without having to interrupt a security staff that is focused on addressing a potential issue. A well-organized approach brings clarity, maintains morale, and fosters trust — both internally and with affected stakeholders.

Equanimity is underrated

With billions of stolen credentials in the wild, headlines like the ones we’ve seen recently will remain commonplace, which is why it’s important to have a reasoned and measured response when they arise. Sticking to a playbook that has been tested through exercises and trusting in the process will help minimize the negative impact on an already-stressed security team. A measured response will also boost trust in the management, raising overall morale. So, when these sorts of incidents arise, there’s no need to panic (at first). Instead of falling for the hype — sending your teams into crisis mode for every startling headline — approach each news article with critical thought, asking the questions that really matter. If you approach the ever-changing news cycle with the simple queries above, your responses will naturally guide your next steps, helping you respond to a breach with precision and ease.

About the Author:
Mike Kosak, Senior Principal Intelligence Analyst at LastPass, has been an intelligence analyst for over 20 years working in both the public and private sectors. He has served in several senior analyst and management roles within the cyber threat intelligence field with a focus on operationalizing intelligence.

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