
Hot Topic Company Cyber Security Posture
hottopic.comAt Hot Topic we pride ourselves on being the destination of pop culture and music merchandise. We do this by hiring the best people, having the best product, and providing the best customer experience for our one-of-a-kind fans. Founded in 1989 in a Southern California garage, Hot Topic employs over 10,000 associates between 600+ retail locations, our headquarters, and two distribution centers. We give back to our communities in our partnerships with Mental Health America, Notes for Notes, and The Trevor Project. Hot Topicโs unique culture thrives in an open and collaborative work environment where autonomy and authenticity shape your success. As a company that stays ahead of trends, we want you to come with innovative perspectives, cutting-edge thought leadership, and a readiness to learn, all of which will contribute to the continued success of our business. Weโve built an inclusive community where youโre encouraged to be who you are and love what you do! When you join us, you become a part of something bigger. You join gifted individuals who are passionate about creating the best retail experience, best product, and a fierce connection to our brand. With talent from diverse backgrounds, weโve assembled a group of highly motivated and driven individuals to achieve this common goal. Work doesn't have to feel like work here at HT! Learn more about our current opportunities and how you can become a part of the fandom at workatht.com.
Hot Topic Company Details
hot-topic
7563 employees
55171.0
452
Retail
hottopic.com
Scan still pending
HOT_3234607
In-progress

Between 800 and 900
This score is AI-generated and less favored by cyber insurers, who prefer the TPRM score.

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Hot Topic Company Scoring based on AI Models
Model Name | Date | Description | Current Score Difference | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|
AVERAGE-Industry | 03-12-2025 | This score represents the average cybersecurity rating of companies already scanned within the same industry. It provides a benchmark to compare an individual company's security posture against its industry peers. | N/A | Between 800 and 900 |
Hot Topic Company Cyber Security News & History
Entity | Type | Severity | Impact | Seen | Url ID | Details | View |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Topic | Breach | 100 | 4 | 11/2024 | HOT000110524 | Link | |
Rankiteo Explanation : Attack with significant impact with customers data leaksDescription: On October 20, a hacker known as Dark X claimed to have accessed a server and stolen personal data of 350 million Hot Topic customers, listing it for sale on an underground forum. The data included emails, addresses, phone numbers, and partial credit card numbers, marking potentially the largest hack of a consumer retailer. The success of the breach was attributed to obtaining a developer's login credentials, spotlighting the threat posed by infostealersโa type of malware exploited in an expansive underground industry for similar high-profile breaches. |
Hot Topic Company Subsidiaries

At Hot Topic we pride ourselves on being the destination of pop culture and music merchandise. We do this by hiring the best people, having the best product, and providing the best customer experience for our one-of-a-kind fans. Founded in 1989 in a Southern California garage, Hot Topic employs over 10,000 associates between 600+ retail locations, our headquarters, and two distribution centers. We give back to our communities in our partnerships with Mental Health America, Notes for Notes, and The Trevor Project. Hot Topicโs unique culture thrives in an open and collaborative work environment where autonomy and authenticity shape your success. As a company that stays ahead of trends, we want you to come with innovative perspectives, cutting-edge thought leadership, and a readiness to learn, all of which will contribute to the continued success of our business. Weโve built an inclusive community where youโre encouraged to be who you are and love what you do! When you join us, you become a part of something bigger. You join gifted individuals who are passionate about creating the best retail experience, best product, and a fierce connection to our brand. With talent from diverse backgrounds, weโve assembled a group of highly motivated and driven individuals to achieve this common goal. Work doesn't have to feel like work here at HT! Learn more about our current opportunities and how you can become a part of the fandom at workatht.com.
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Hot Topic Cyber Security News
K-12 cybersecurity a hot topic in state legislatures in 2024
A report by the Consortium for School Networking highlights five trends in K-12 cybersecurity policy solutions emerging from state legislatures in 2024.
Hot Topic data breach exposed personal data of 57 million customers
The stolen data includes email addresses, physical addresses, phone numbers, purchases, genders, and dates of birth. Partial credit card dataย ...
Hot Topic Data Breach Impacts 57 Million Retail Customers
Hot Topic has suffered a data breach affecting 57 million retail customers stemming from a compromised cloud account without multi-factorย ...
Hacker May Have Breached Hot Topic, Stolen Data on Millions
A security firm uncovers evidence that the hacker hit Hot Topic by targeting an employee at a third-party retail analytics platform.
20 Emerging Cybersecurity Trends to Watch Out in 2025
Next Up With Cyber Security Trends ยท 1. AI and ML in Cybersecurity ยท 2. Zero Trust Security Models ยท 3. Quantum Computing Resistant Cryptography.
Cybercrime is increasingly complex. Here's how data awareness can help
Personal data enables cybercrime, yet securing data remains a significant challenge for cyber leaders, who face competing priorities.
Hot Topic breach: Has your credit card info been compromised?
To check if your personal and financial data has been compromised in the massive Hot Topic breach, use Have I Been Pwned? or DataBreach.com.
Hot Topic Faces Class-Action Lawsuits Over Hack of Customer Data
According to cybersecurity vendor Hudson Rock, Hot Topic lost the customer data after a hacker breached a third-party retail analytics platformย ...
Hot Topic hit by wave of cyber attacks | Cyber Security Hub
Retail chain company, Hot Topic, has reported that it was the victim of a series of credential stuffing attacks.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Cybersecurity Incidents
Hot Topic CyberSecurity History Information
Total Incidents: According to Rankiteo, Hot Topic has faced 1 incidents in the past.
Incident Types: The types of cybersecurity incidents that have occurred include ['Breach'].
Total Financial Loss: The total financial loss from these incidents is estimated to be {total_financial_loss}.
Cybersecurity Posture: The company's overall cybersecurity posture is described as At Hot Topic we pride ourselves on being the destination of pop culture and music merchandise. We do this by hiring the best people, having the best product, and providing the best customer experience for our one-of-a-kind fans. Founded in 1989 in a Southern California garage, Hot Topic employs over 10,000 associates between 600+ retail locations, our headquarters, and two distribution centers. We give back to our communities in our partnerships with Mental Health America, Notes for Notes, and The Trevor Project. Hot Topicโs unique culture thrives in an open and collaborative work environment where autonomy and authenticity shape your success. As a company that stays ahead of trends, we want you to come with innovative perspectives, cutting-edge thought leadership, and a readiness to learn, all of which will contribute to the continued success of our business. Weโve built an inclusive community where youโre encouraged to be who you are and love what you do! When you join us, you become a part of something bigger. You join gifted individuals who are passionate about creating the best retail experience, best product, and a fierce connection to our brand. With talent from diverse backgrounds, weโve assembled a group of highly motivated and driven individuals to achieve this common goal. Work doesn't have to feel like work here at HT! Learn more about our current opportunities and how you can become a part of the fandom at workatht.com..
Detection and Response: The company detects and responds to cybersecurity incidents through {description_of_detection_and_response_process}.
Incident Details

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Title: {Incident_Title}
Description: {Brief_description_of_the_incident}
Date Detected: {Detection_Date}
Date Publicly Disclosed: {Disclosure_Date}
Date Resolved: {Resolution_Date}
Type: {Type_of_Attack}
Attack Vector: {Attack_Vector}
Vulnerability Exploited: {Vulnerability}
Threat Actor: {Threat_Actor}
Motivation: {Motivation}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Title: {Incident_Title}
Description: {Brief_description_of_the_incident}
Date Detected: {Detection_Date}
Date Publicly Disclosed: {Disclosure_Date}
Date Resolved: {Resolution_Date}
Type: {Type_of_Attack}
Attack Vector: {Attack_Vector}
Vulnerability Exploited: {Vulnerability}
Threat Actor: {Threat_Actor}
Motivation: {Motivation}
Common Attack Types: As of now, the company has not encountered any reported incidents involving common cyberattacks.
Identification of Attack Vectors: The company identifies the attack vectors used in incidents through {description_of_identification_process}.
Impact of the Incidents

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Financial Loss: {Financial_Loss}
Data Compromised: {Data_Compromised}
Systems Affected: {Systems_Affected}
Downtime: {Downtime}
Operational Impact: {Operational_Impact}
Conversion Rate Impact: {Conversion_Rate_Impact}
Revenue Loss: {Revenue_Loss}
Customer Complaints: {Customer_Complaints}
Brand Reputation Impact: {Brand_Reputation_Impact}
Legal Liabilities: {Legal_Liabilities}
Identity Theft Risk: {Identity_Theft_Risk}
Payment Information Risk: {Payment_Information_Risk}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Financial Loss: {Financial_Loss}
Data Compromised: {Data_Compromised}
Systems Affected: {Systems_Affected}
Downtime: {Downtime}
Operational Impact: {Operational_Impact}
Conversion Rate Impact: {Conversion_Rate_Impact}
Revenue Loss: {Revenue_Loss}
Customer Complaints: {Customer_Complaints}
Brand Reputation Impact: {Brand_Reputation_Impact}
Legal Liabilities: {Legal_Liabilities}
Identity Theft Risk: {Identity_Theft_Risk}
Payment Information Risk: {Payment_Information_Risk}
Average Financial Loss: The average financial loss per incident is {average_financial_loss}.
Commonly Compromised Data Types: The types of data most commonly compromised in incidents are {list_of_commonly_compromised_data_types}.

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Entity Name: {Entity_Name}
Entity Type: {Entity_Type}
Industry: {Industry}
Location: {Location}
Size: {Size}
Customers Affected: {Customers_Affected}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Entity Name: {Entity_Name}
Entity Type: {Entity_Type}
Industry: {Industry}
Location: {Location}
Size: {Size}
Customers Affected: {Customers_Affected}
Response to the Incidents

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Incident Response Plan Activated: {Yes/No}
Third Party Assistance: {Yes/No}
Law Enforcement Notified: {Yes/No}
Containment Measures: {Containment_Measures}
Remediation Measures: {Remediation_Measures}
Recovery Measures: {Recovery_Measures}
Communication Strategy: {Communication_Strategy}
Adaptive Behavioral WAF: {Adaptive_Behavioral_WAF}
On-Demand Scrubbing Services: {On_Demand_Scrubbing_Services}
Network Segmentation: {Network_Segmentation}
Enhanced Monitoring: {Enhanced_Monitoring}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Incident Response Plan Activated: {Yes/No}
Third Party Assistance: {Yes/No}
Law Enforcement Notified: {Yes/No}
Containment Measures: {Containment_Measures}
Remediation Measures: {Remediation_Measures}
Recovery Measures: {Recovery_Measures}
Communication Strategy: {Communication_Strategy}
Adaptive Behavioral WAF: {Adaptive_Behavioral_WAF}
On-Demand Scrubbing Services: {On_Demand_Scrubbing_Services}
Network Segmentation: {Network_Segmentation}
Enhanced Monitoring: {Enhanced_Monitoring}
Incident Response Plan: The company's incident response plan is described as {description_of_incident_response_plan}.
Third-Party Assistance: The company involves third-party assistance in incident response through {description_of_third_party_involvement}.
Data Breach Information

Incident 2: Data Breach
Type of Data Compromised: {Type_of_Data}
Number of Records Exposed: {Number_of_Records}
Sensitivity of Data: {Sensitivity_of_Data}
Data Exfiltration: {Yes/No}
Data Encryption: {Yes/No}
File Types Exposed: {File_Types}
Personally Identifiable Information: {Yes/No}
Prevention of Data Exfiltration: The company takes the following measures to prevent data exfiltration: {description_of_prevention_measures}.
Handling of PII Incidents: The company handles incidents involving personally identifiable information (PII) through {description_of_handling_process}.
Ransomware Information

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Ransom Demanded: {Ransom_Amount}
Ransom Paid: {Ransom_Paid}
Ransomware Strain: {Ransomware_Strain}
Data Encryption: {Yes/No}
Data Exfiltration: {Yes/No}
Ransom Payment Policy: The company's policy on paying ransoms in ransomware incidents is described as {description_of_ransom_payment_policy}.
Data Recovery from Ransomware: The company recovers data encrypted by ransomware through {description_of_data_recovery_process}.
Regulatory Compliance

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Regulations Violated: {Regulations_Violated}
Fines Imposed: {Fines_Imposed}
Legal Actions: {Legal_Actions}
Regulatory Notifications: {Regulatory_Notifications}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Regulations Violated: {Regulations_Violated}
Fines Imposed: {Fines_Imposed}
Legal Actions: {Legal_Actions}
Regulatory Notifications: {Regulatory_Notifications}
Regulatory Frameworks: The company complies with the following regulatory frameworks regarding cybersecurity: {list_of_regulatory_frameworks}.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: The company ensures compliance with regulatory requirements through {description_of_compliance_measures}.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Lessons Learned: {Lessons_Learned}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Lessons Learned: {Lessons_Learned}

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Recommendations: {Recommendations}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Recommendations: {Recommendations}
Key Lessons Learned: The key lessons learned from past incidents are {list_of_key_lessons_learned}.
Implemented Recommendations: The company has implemented the following recommendations to improve cybersecurity: {list_of_implemented_recommendations}.
References
Additional Resources: Stakeholders can find additional resources on cybersecurity best practices at {list_of_additional_resources}.
Investigation Status

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Investigation Status: {Investigation_Status}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Investigation Status: {Investigation_Status}
Communication of Investigation Status: The company communicates the status of incident investigations to stakeholders through {description_of_communication_process}.
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Stakeholder Advisories: {Stakeholder_Advisories}
Customer Advisories: {Customer_Advisories}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Stakeholder Advisories: {Stakeholder_Advisories}
Customer Advisories: {Customer_Advisories}
Advisories Provided: The company provides the following advisories to stakeholders and customers following an incident: {description_of_advisories_provided}.
Initial Access Broker

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Entry Point: {Entry_Point}
Reconnaissance Period: {Reconnaissance_Period}
Backdoors Established: {Backdoors_Established}
High Value Targets: {High_Value_Targets}
Data Sold on Dark Web: {Yes/No}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Entry Point: {Entry_Point}
Reconnaissance Period: {Reconnaissance_Period}
Backdoors Established: {Backdoors_Established}
High Value Targets: {High_Value_Targets}
Data Sold on Dark Web: {Yes/No}
Monitoring and Mitigation of Initial Access Brokers: The company monitors and mitigates the activities of initial access brokers through {description_of_monitoring_and_mitigation_measures}.
Post-Incident Analysis

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Root Causes: {Root_Causes}
Corrective Actions: {Corrective_Actions}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Root Causes: {Root_Causes}
Corrective Actions: {Corrective_Actions}
Post-Incident Analysis Process: The company's process for conducting post-incident analysis is described as {description_of_post_incident_analysis_process}.
Corrective Actions Taken: The company has taken the following corrective actions based on post-incident analysis: {list_of_corrective_actions_taken}.
Additional Questions
General Information
Ransom Payment History: The company has {paid/not_paid} ransoms in the past.
Last Ransom Demanded: The amount of the last ransom demanded was {last_ransom_amount}.
Last Attacking Group: The attacking group in the last incident was {last_attacking_group}.
Incident Details
Most Recent Incident Detected: The most recent incident detected was on {most_recent_incident_detected_date}.
Most Recent Incident Publicly Disclosed: The most recent incident publicly disclosed was on {most_recent_incident_publicly_disclosed_date}.
Most Recent Incident Resolved: The most recent incident resolved was on {most_recent_incident_resolved_date}.
Impact of the Incidents
Highest Financial Loss: The highest financial loss from an incident was {highest_financial_loss}.
Most Significant Data Compromised: The most significant data compromised in an incident was {most_significant_data_compromised}.
Most Significant System Affected: The most significant system affected in an incident was {most_significant_system_affected}.
Response to the Incidents
Third-Party Assistance in Most Recent Incident: The third-party assistance involved in the most recent incident was {third_party_assistance_in_most_recent_incident}.
Containment Measures in Most Recent Incident: The containment measures taken in the most recent incident were {containment_measures_in_most_recent_incident}.
Data Breach Information
Most Sensitive Data Compromised: The most sensitive data compromised in a breach was {most_sensitive_data_compromised}.
Number of Records Exposed: The number of records exposed in the most significant breach was {number_of_records_exposed}.
Ransomware Information
Highest Ransom Demanded: The highest ransom demanded in a ransomware incident was {highest_ransom_demanded}.
Highest Ransom Paid: The highest ransom paid in a ransomware incident was {highest_ransom_paid}.
Regulatory Compliance
Highest Fine Imposed: The highest fine imposed for a regulatory violation was {highest_fine_imposed}.
Most Significant Legal Action: The most significant legal action taken for a regulatory violation was {most_significant_legal_action}.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Most Significant Lesson Learned: The most significant lesson learned from past incidents was {most_significant_lesson_learned}.
Most Significant Recommendation Implemented: The most significant recommendation implemented to improve cybersecurity was {most_significant_recommendation_implemented}.
References
Most Recent Source: The most recent source of information about an incident is {most_recent_source}.
Most Recent URL for Additional Resources: The most recent URL for additional resources on cybersecurity best practices is {most_recent_url}.
Investigation Status
Current Status of Most Recent Investigation: The current status of the most recent investigation is {current_status_of_most_recent_investigation}.
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories
Most Recent Stakeholder Advisory: The most recent stakeholder advisory issued was {most_recent_stakeholder_advisory}.
Most Recent Customer Advisory: The most recent customer advisory issued was {most_recent_customer_advisory}.
Initial Access Broker
Most Recent Entry Point: The most recent entry point used by an initial access broker was {most_recent_entry_point}.
Most Recent Reconnaissance Period: The most recent reconnaissance period for an incident was {most_recent_reconnaissance_period}.
Post-Incident Analysis
Most Significant Root Cause: The most significant root cause identified in post-incident analysis was {most_significant_root_cause}.
Most Significant Corrective Action: The most significant corrective action taken based on post-incident analysis was {most_significant_corrective_action}.
What Do We Measure?
Every week, Rankiteo analyzes billions of signals to give organizations a sharper, faster view of emerging risks. With deeper, more actionable intelligence at their fingertips, security teams can outpace threat actors, respond instantly to Zero-Day attacks, and dramatically shrink their risk exposure window.
These are some of the factors we use to calculate the overall score:
Identify exposed access points, detect misconfigured SSL certificates, and uncover vulnerabilities across the network infrastructure.
Gain visibility into the software components used within an organization to detect vulnerabilities, manage risk, and ensure supply chain security.
Monitor and manage all IT assets and their configurations to ensure accurate, real-time visibility across the company's technology environment.
Leverage real-time insights on active threats, malware campaigns, and emerging vulnerabilities to proactively defend against evolving cyberattacks.
