A data breach can have devastating consequences for a business, both financially and reputationally. The true cost of a data breach can include the following:
- Direct costs: This includes expenses related to investigations, legal fees, notification, and credit monitoring services for affected individuals.
- Indirect costs: This includes lost revenue from customers leaving due to loss of trust, damage to brand reputation, and decreased productivity from IT staff working on cleanup and recovery efforts.
- Reputational costs: A data breach can severely damage a company’s reputation and lead to loss of customers, decreased market value, and legal repercussions.
- Opportunity costs: A data breach can divert a company’s resources away from growth and innovation, leading to missed opportunities and potential long-term financial impacts.
The exact cost of a data breach can vary greatly depending on the size of the business, the type of data compromised, and the level of preparedness and response to the breach. However, it is estimated that the average cost of a data breach globally is $3.86 million.
To mitigate the cost of a data breach, it’s important for businesses to invest in a comprehensive cybersecurity plan, including regular security audits, employee training, and a clear plan for responding to a breach.
President and CEO at The Chaos Group of Canada
Kevin Kinsella is a physical penetration tester and information security consultant. He has over 20 years’ experience in corporate & cyber security and specializes in Threat Risk Assessments, Corporate Counterintelligence, and Red Teaming & Alternative Analysis.
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