Data Breach at Stellantis Highlights Third-Party Risk for Customer Data

Stellantis, the global automaker behind brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Fiat, recently announced a “comprehensive investigation” following unauthorized access to a third-party platform supporting its North American customer service operations. The breach exposed customer contact information—while the company reports that no financial or highly sensitive data was accessed, the incident underscores a critical reality: even basic customer data, when compromised, can create significant business risk and regulatory exposure.

Why Third-Party Data Breaches Are a Growing Threat

Enterprises increasingly rely on third-party vendors and platforms to manage customer data, support operations, and deliver services. However, every external partner introduces new attack surfaces and potential vulnerabilities. According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report, third-party involvement is a leading factor in breach costs and incident complexity (source).

When customer data is housed or processed by a third party, organizations remain legally and reputationally responsible for its protection. Regulatory frameworks such as the FTC Safeguards Rule (source), HIPAA (source), and GDPR (source) require organizations to ensure that vendors handling personal data meet strict security and disposal standards.

The Hidden Risks of Incomplete Data Destruction

While Stellantis reported that only contact information was involved, the breach serves as a reminder that data remanence—the persistence of data on retired or repurposed IT assets—remains a major risk. Simply deleting files or decommissioning systems without certified data destruction leaves organizations exposed to future breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational harm.

The “delete myth”—the false belief that deleting a file or reformatting a drive removes all data—continues to create hidden liabilities. According to NIST SP 800-88 (source), true data sanitization requires methods such as secure overwriting, degaussing, or physical destruction, all of which must be auditable and defensible.

How Enterprises Can Mitigate Third-Party and Data Disposal Risks

1. Enforce Rigorous Vendor Risk Management

Require all third-party vendors to adhere to your organization’s data destruction policy and compliance standards.
Mandate NAID AAA Certification (source) or equivalent for any vendor handling data disposal or IT asset disposition (ITAD).
Conduct regular audits and request certificates of destruction for all retired media.

2. Implement a Defensible Data Destruction Policy

Develop and enforce a data destruction policy aligned with NIST SP 800-88 (see our guide).
Specify approved methods for each media type (e.g., hard drive shredding, degaussing, cryptographic erasure).
Require serialized tracking and a documented chain of custody for all assets.

3. Secure Chain of Custody and Audit Trails

Ensure all data-bearing devices are tracked from decommissioning through final destruction.
Use vendors that provide GPS-tracked transport, access-controlled facilities, and background-checked staff (learn more).

4. Educate Employees and Customers on Phishing Risks

Following any breach, proactively warn stakeholders about targeted phishing attempts using leaked contact information.
Train staff to recognize and report suspicious communications.

5. Prepare for Regulatory Scrutiny

Maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance with all relevant data protection and disposal regulations.
Be prepared to provide evidence of secure data destruction in the event of an audit or investigation.

Why Choose Data Destruction, Inc. for Enterprise Data Security?

Data Destruction, Inc. is the trusted partner for enterprises seeking bulletproof data security and regulatory compliance. Our processes are built on the gold standard of NIST SP 800-88 (official guidelines), and we hold NAID AAA Certification (see certification) for secure data destruction. We deliver:

Defensible, auditable data destruction for all media types, including on-site and off-site hard drive shredding, degaussing, and certified equipment destruction.
Unbroken chain of custody with serialized tracking, GPS-monitored transport, and secure facilities.
Regulatory compliance mapping for HIPAA, GLBA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and more.
Comprehensive documentation including certificates of destruction for every asset.

Protect your organization from the hidden risks of third-party data breaches and improper data disposal. Contact Data Destruction, Inc. or call +1 (866) 850-7977 to schedule a risk assessment or learn more about our secure data destruction services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Stellantis data breach?

The breach was caused by unauthorized access to a third-party platform supporting Stellantis’ North American customer service operations. This highlights the risks associated with third-party vendors handling customer data.

What type of customer data was exposed?

Stellantis reported that only basic contact information was involved. No financial or highly sensitive personal data was accessed.

Why is third-party risk management critical for data security?

Third-party vendors can introduce vulnerabilities that bypass your internal controls. Organizations remain responsible for data protection and compliance, even when data is managed by external partners.

What is the “delete myth” in data destruction?

The “delete myth” is the misconception that deleting files or reformatting drives removes all data. In reality, data often remains recoverable unless proper sanitization methods are used, as outlined in NIST SP 800-88.

What are best practices for secure data destruction?

Best practices include following NIST SP 800-88 guidelines, using certified vendors, maintaining a documented chain of custody, and obtaining certificates of destruction for all retired assets.

How can organizations ensure compliance with data disposal regulations?

Organizations should implement a data destruction policy, require vendor certifications (such as NAID AAA), and maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance with regulations like HIPAA, GLBA, and GDPR.

What is a certificate of destruction, and why is it important?

A certificate of destruction is a legal document proving that data-bearing assets were securely destroyed. It is essential for regulatory compliance and audit defense.

How can enterprises protect against phishing after a data breach?

Enterprises should notify affected individuals, educate employees and customers about phishing risks, and implement robust email and communication security protocols.

What services does Data Destruction, Inc. offer to mitigate these risks?

We offer certified hard drive destruction, mobile hard drive destruction, hard drive shredding, equipment destruction, data wiping, and secure chain of custody solutions for enterprises.

How do I get started with Data Destruction, Inc.?

Visit our contact page or call +1 (866) 850-7977 to schedule a consultation or request a quote for secure data destruction services.

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