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In order for this new tool to be the most efficient and effective, it needs to have meaningful data
made available to analyze. We have done the work to build a tool that minimizes confusion and
gives actionable plans to consumers on a breach-by-breach basis, but companies need to be

more transparent and granular with their disclosures. When breach notification letters simply

list the compromised data as “Employee records”, “XXXX” or even just “Other” (these examples
have been taken from actual notifications we reviewed this year), we cannot provide the affected
consumers the action plans they need and deserve because we cannot assess what their true risk is.

Data breaches are the new normal. We – all of the various stakeholders in this new era of data
breaches – need to create tools that can be used and adopted easily by a large segment of the
population. To effect systemic change, it will require us all to come together to ensure victims have

what they need to face this new status-quo.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2018

The variety of industries and types of businesses impacted by breaches in 2018 opened the
eyes of many consumers to the fact that breaches have become “the new normal”. It’s

not so much a matter of “if” a breach will happen, but “when” a breach will happen.

Data security professionals are quickly trying
to outpace hackers who are working to

access and monetize personally identifiable
information, but the professionals are not

always successful. Vulnerabilities in software
platforms and human error and susceptibility to

increasingly sophisticated phishing scams are
exploited by individuals trying to steal information.

As consumers, we need to protect our information

when companies that house our

data are the target of breaches.

© IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCE CENTER 2019 | IDTHEFTCENTER.ORG
© IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCE CENTER 2019 | IDTHEFTCENTER.ORG