Did you know that last year alone, out of the companies polled at least 650 organizations reported being the victims of data breaches? The Ponemon Institute, in a recent study, found only 36% of C-level executives
are confident their organizations won’t suffer data breaches in the next 12 months. This number is staggering, considering the attention that major breaches have received in the media; and subsequent actions taken by companies to reduce or eliminate them.
In a new Forbes.com article, the authors describe the types of threats that are out there, and what we can do to prevent them.
The article recognizes three main areas of risk that a company must be prepared to address:
1) legal & regulatory
2) operational
3) reputational.
Companies will need to decipher and understand the interlockingly related list of state and federal regulations which are in place to govern data security and privacy.
What can you do? The authors, Joe Carberry and David Chamberlin, recommend above all — prior planning and being prepared for anything. Work closely with your communications experts in preparing for the worst, to protect your organization’s reputation. Keep a handle on what your communications will be to your customers, employees, and other stakeholders in a crisis situation. “You need an organized response plan, rooted in transparency and responsibility..”
They suggest: Agree in advance, with your legal team, risk managers, and communications staff, what will be said should a breach situation arise.
To read the full article, go to:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/31/data-executives-business-ceonetwork-leadership-breach.html.
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