Not the Newsletter I Planned to Write…But One Every Leader Should Read
The Unexpected Newsletter Every Leader Must Read
Some mornings, you wake up to an ordinary to-do list. Other mornings, you wake up to news that 16 billion usernames and passwords—including those tied to Apple, Google, Facebook, GitHub, Telegram, and even U.S. Federal Government services—have been leaked online.
Last week, it was the second kind of morning.
Managing the Fallout of the 16 Billion Credential Leak: A Cyber Risk Playbook from Mike Fitzpatrick, CEO of NCX Group
CREDIT: Davey Winder, Senior Contributor, Forbes
By now, you’ve probably seen the headlines. According to cybersecurity journalist Davey Winder and the researchers at Cybernews, we’ve just witnessed what may be the largest breach of login credentials in history—16 billion usernames and passwords exposed in one massive dump. Platforms impacted include Apple, Google, Facebook/Meta, GitHub, Telegram, and even U.S. Federal Government services.
This is more than another data breach. This is a line-in-the-sand moment for CEOs, Business Owners, and CFOs who are serious about managing cyber risk.
And this time, the stakes are higher because these aren’t recycled passwords. This is fresh, structured, weaponizable data—ideal for phishing, account takeovers, business email compromise, and ransomware. It’s why this game plan comes directly from me. I’ve spent 24 years helping organizations lead with clarity and protect what matters most.
Your Executive Game Plan (From Me to You)
1. Initiate a Password Reset Across the Organization. Don’t wait for confirmation that your team is affected—act as if they are. Require all team members to reset passwords across business systems, email, financial platforms, and remote access points. Have your MSP or internal IT support do this immediately.
2. Enforce MFA—No Exceptions. If your business hasn’t fully adopted MFA, now is the moment. MFA is not optional anymore. Use authenticator apps or hardware keys. SMS-based MFA is better than nothing, but not much.
3. Move Toward Passkeys Now Apple, Google, and Facebook support passkeys—and this breach is the best argument for using them. Passkeys eliminate password reuse and reduce the value of stolen credentials.
Helpful Links:
4. Scan Every Endpoint for Infostealer Malware. This leak was powered by malware that silently collects credentials. Have your security provider scan for infostealers immediately—laptops, desktops, remote access systems, and even bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments.
5. Check the Exposure—Don’t Assume You’re Safe. Use HaveIBeenPwned, or ask your IT provider to check whether your company’s domains, email addresses, or credentials appear in any breach data.
6. Strengthen Business Controls. Credential leaks don’t just lead to logins—they lead to fraud. Review wire transfer protocols, vendor payment approval processes, and internal verification systems. Cybercrime exploits human error and weak processes.
7. Implement Zero Trust—And Train Your Team. You’ve heard of it, now it’s time to act. Zero Trust isn’t a buzzword—it’s a business posture: trust no one, verify everything, and log every action. Train your team to understand phishing, spoofing, and how to report an incident.
Why I’m Sharing This Now
As Davey Winder wrote for Forbes, this breach represents a new level of risk. It’s not just about privacy—it’s about your revenue, your operations, your customer trust, and your insurability.
Experts quoted in the article (Darren Guccione, Lawrence Pingree, Evan Dornbush, and George McGregor) agree: the breach is massive, the exposure is real, and the ripple effect has already started.
Final Word
You don’t need to panic—but you do need to act.
If you’re unsure where your company stands or whether your MSP is keeping up, take 5 minutes to gain clarity.
👉 Take our Free Cyber Risk Readiness Score 👉 Visit: www.ncxgroup.com
We built these tools for leaders like you—to help you ask smarter questions and protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
All the best, Mike Fitzpatrick, CEO, NCX Group, Cyber Risk & Business Continuity Consultant
Let’s Talk
If it’s been more than a year since your last cybersecurity assessment—or if you’ve never done one—now is the time.
👉 Schedule a Strategy Call with NCX Group
Repost from LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/newsletter-i-planned-write-today-one-every-leader-read-fitzpatrick-rdaxf/