Target Ignored Security Warnings

Target Corp. (Minneapolis) acknowledged that it had been warned of suspicious activity prior to its data breach last year but had decided to ignore it.

The New York Times reports that Target had installed security software designed by security firm FireEye (Milpitas, Calif.), according to two researchers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing client confidentiality.

The FireEye software reportedly sounded multiple alarms as criminals were uploading their tools to siphon out customers’ credit and personal data.

“Like any large company, each week at Target there are a vast number of technical events that take place and are logged,” said a Target spokeswoman. “Through our investigation, we learned that after these criminals entered our network, a small amount of their activity was logged and surfaced to our team. That activity was evaluated and acted upon.

“Based on their interpretation and evaluation of that activity, the team determined that it did not warrant immediate follow-up,” she said.

Last week, Beth Jacob, the senior Target senior technology executive, resigned.