Every year, we spend more money and time combatting the dark forces of cyber space: state-sponsored operatives, organized crime rings, and super-hackers armed with black-ops tech. The attack methods mutate constantly, growing more cancerous and damaging. Massive data breaches and their ripple effects compel organizations of every kind to grapple with risk and security at a more fundamental level.
The harm done to brand reputation can be long lasting and hard to control. Breached companies are liable for significant restitution to customers and suppliers, face closer scrutiny and higher fines from regulators, and often struggle with sudden drop in sales or loss of business. The appearance of negligence, repeat attacks or unpredictable fallout from a breach can significantly unravel public goodwill that took decades to build. The trust dynamic that exists amongst suppliers, customers and partners is a high-profile target for cybercriminals and hacktivists.