In the past year, Home Depot has found itself under scrutiny due to a significant cybersecurity oversight that placed its internal systems at risk. Imagine this: for an entire year, a private access token, accidentally leaked by an employee, exposed key operational and development systems to potential unauthorized parties. As a serial entrepreneur with a strong focus on leveraging technology, I can’t help but see this incident as a case study in balancing innovation with disciplined operational safeguards.
The Incident Breakdown: Lessons from a Year-long Exposure
Home Depot’s issue began with a private GitHub access token that a developer inadvertently made public online. This wasn’t just any credential, it granted access to hundreds of private repositories containing source codes and cloud infrastructure, including tools that manage their order fulfillment systems.
The key figures in this situation are revealing. Researcher Ben Zimmermann, who first uncovered the problem, was left unheard despite his attempts to alert the company privately. Only when the media platform TechCrunch intervened did the company take action, disconnecting the token from its systems. What strikes me most is how the system’s exposure underscores gaps not just in technical oversight but in vulnerability reporting processes.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from This
For businesses of every size, incidents like this highlight the importance of proactive measures in cybersecurity. Whether you’re a founder with an agile startup or the owner of a growing small business, there are massive takeaways you can’t afford to ignore. Below are actionable insights inspired by this incident:
Audit Access Regularly
Periodically reviewing all credentials and tokens ensures that nothing sensitive is floating in places it shouldn’t be. Free tools like GitHub Secret Scanner can automatically flag improperly stored keys.Implement System-wide Access Controls
Restrict who can access sensitive systems. Not everyone in an organization needs to hold the keys to the company’s infrastructure. Tools like Azure Active Directory or Okta can simplify role-based access permissions.Create a Vulnerability Reporting Policy
Home Depot’s delay in responding highlights why every company should design an internal and public procedure for reporting vulnerabilities. Platforms like HackerOne allow companies to create structured bounty systems for security researchers.Educate Staff About Credential Handling
With automation tools like 1Password or Dashlane, storing sensitive tokens can be centralized and encrypted. Most compromises begin with human error, training employees should be as routine as onboarding them.Monitor Public Repositories Actively
Businesses that use shared repositories on platforms like GitHub must set automated scanning alerts. This can not only detect exposed keys but also trigger immediate remediation.
Startling Numbers That Echo a Growing Concern
A quick glance at the statistics surrounding cybersecurity breaches emphasizes why founders can’t sideline this issue. According to IBM’s annual Cost of a Data Breach Report:
- Businesses face an average cost of $4.35 million per breach. For small companies, this is often a death sentence.
- Nearly 82% of these breaches involve a human factor, such as mismanagement of sensitive credentials.
- Companies that respond to breaches within the first 200 days save up to $1 million compared to slower responders.
From a business perspective, these numbers are eye-opening. They speak to a market opportunity for founders building products in cybersecurity and a wake-up call for everyone else.
How to Build Stronger Cybersecurity Foundations
Even non-technical founders can ensure robust security without diving into the technical depths. Here’s the guide I follow for my work across startups:
- Invest in Automation
Tools like Snyk and Dependabot integrate directly into developer environments, automatically scanning for vulnerabilities. - Partner with Experts
Outsourcing security reviews to enterprises like CyberSec Consulting can add that missing layer of expertise. You don’t need a full-time security team to seal the cracks. - Back up Data According to the 3-2-1 Framework
Keep three copies of your data across two different formats and ensure one remains offline. It’s the simplest guard against ransomware and accidental data loss. - Simulate Attacks
A regular penetration test sheds light on issues you often won’t discover in standard development cycles. Bugcrowd and Pentest-Tools.com offer entry-level services for SMBs. - Set an Actionable Incident Response
Each second of delay matters, set clear instructions on how to revoke credentials, disable compromised servers, and recover lost functionality.
Mistakes Entrepreneurs Commonly Overlook
- Ignoring Transparency with Users: If a breach occurs, proactive communication can preserve trust. Silence only worsens reputational fallout.
- Assuming Small Scale Invites Less Risk: Startup founders often think hackers won’t target smaller ventures. They’re wrong. Automated attacks look for exploitable entry points at every level.
- Skipping Regular Training: Phishing simulations and security audits should be as essential as budgeting and strategy reviews.
Final Thoughts
As our world becomes more interconnected, entrepreneurs can’t afford to see cybersecurity as an afterthought. Home Depot’s incident reminds us that while sophisticated platforms like GitHub enable rapid innovation, they also amplify risks when paired with lax management practices. For founders, building a company isn’t just about creating products, it’s about embedding resilience into every layer of operations. Whether it’s adopting automated tools, providing targeted training, or responding swiftly to vulnerabilities, the upfront investment is minimal compared to the consequences of neglect. And in case you’re wondering where to start, empowering your team today with foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles could be your first win.
FAQ
1. What led to Home Depot’s internal system exposure?
A private GitHub access token was accidentally leaked by an employee, exposing internal systems like order fulfillment, cloud infrastructure, and developer environments for a year. Learn more about the Home Depot exposure
2. How was the security breach uncovered?
Cybersecurity researcher Ben Zimmermann discovered the exposed GitHub token in early November 2025 but faced weeks of no response from Home Depot until media intervention. Read about Ben Zimmermann’s discovery
3. What was the scope of the token’s access?
The leaked token provided access to hundreds of private source code repositories and systems related to cloud infrastructure, order fulfillment, and inventory management. Check out the full scope of the incident
4. Why didn’t Home Depot initially respond to the issue?
Home Depot lacked a public vulnerability disclosure process, causing delays and ignoring the researcher’s alerts until TechCrunch intervened. Read about Home Depot’s response gap
5. What lessons can companies learn from this incident?
Key takeaways include the importance of vulnerability disclosure programs, regular audits of credentials, and better staff training on handling sensitive data. Learn lessons from the Home Depot exposure
6. What tools could have prevented this incident?
Tools like GitHub Secret Scanner, automated repository monitoring, and credential storage services like 1Password could have flagged or prevented the exposure. Explore preventive tools for breaches
7. What is the financial cost of a typical data breach?
According to IBM’s annual report, the average financial cost of a breach is $4.35 million, with faster responses saving up to $1 million. Dive into data breach costs
8. Can small companies be victims of similar breaches?
Yes, small companies are equally at risk, as automated cyberattacks do not differentiate by company size and look for vulnerable entry points. Discover why small companies are at risk
9. How can companies improve their vulnerability reporting process?
Organizations can implement structured vulnerability bounty systems using platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd to encourage responsible disclosures. Learn more about vulnerability reporting
10. How can staff training help prevent such breaches?
Educating employees on secure credential handling, using centralized password managers, and running phishing simulations reduce the chances of human errors leading to breaches. Learn about the importance of staff training
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp’s expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic “without any funding and without any code,” this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call “gamepreneurship”. By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique “play to learn and earn” model.