Have you ever noticed how many companies treat a data breach like it’s a dirty little secret? They keep it quiet, make it sound innocent or say, “it’s really no big deal.” I understand nobody wants to create bad headlines or deal with lawsuits.
But when they are quiet it makes things worse. One study found that nearly 7 out of 10 tech leaders were instructed to conceal or downplay a data breach. Even lawyers will instruct companies to call a breach “unimportant” when it is serious. Can you believe it?
Often companies don’t even verify what data was involved in a breach. Breaches usually involved emails with bank information or HR data - all things hackers want. If companies don’t verify what data was involved - people are still prone to scams and id theft.
People repeat mistakes
If no-one learns from breaches then the same mistakes are repeated. Cover-ups don’t solve anything.
Trust vanishes
Imagine discovering months later your data rendered public without a company informing you. You would feel robbed, wouldn't you? Silence destroys trust.
With EDI, companies can:
• Know with absolute clarity what the data leak was
• Feel comfortable giving their customers an honest report
• Identify areas of weakness within their systems
• Avoid ambiguous public relation statements about data leaks
I have seen how better tools for products and services reduce the amount of guesswork associated with securing systems. They are a step forward.
1. Be transparent early - even if you do not know anything
2. Engage EDI and other tools to get the facts
3. Continuously update customers about the situation
4. Tell customers what you do not know
5. Find the cause and fix it (not just the mess)
The next time your organization thinks ‘let's keep this under wraps,’ ask the critical probing questions. What got leaked? Who needs to know?
But when they are quiet it makes things worse. One study found that nearly 7 out of 10 tech leaders were instructed to conceal or downplay a data breach. Even lawyers will instruct companies to call a breach “unimportant” when it is serious. Can you believe it?
What happens when we conceal the facts?
People are unprotectedOften companies don’t even verify what data was involved in a breach. Breaches usually involved emails with bank information or HR data - all things hackers want. If companies don’t verify what data was involved - people are still prone to scams and id theft.
People repeat mistakes
If no-one learns from breaches then the same mistakes are repeated. Cover-ups don’t solve anything.
Trust vanishes
Imagine discovering months later your data rendered public without a company informing you. You would feel robbed, wouldn't you? Silence destroys trust.
A smarter way: Exposed Data Intelligence (EDI)
Research provides some good news. There are tools like the Exposed Data Intelligence (EDI). EDI is like a flashlight in a dark room — it tells you what data actually leaked. Rather than just guessing, EDI uses AI to scan the leaked data and present facts.With EDI, companies can:
• Know with absolute clarity what the data leak was
• Feel comfortable giving their customers an honest report
• Identify areas of weakness within their systems
• Avoid ambiguous public relation statements about data leaks
I have seen how better tools for products and services reduce the amount of guesswork associated with securing systems. They are a step forward.
How to be transparent without panic
I understand that going public on a data spill is terrifying. However, not going public is more dangerous and organizations can manage it in a smarter manner:1. Be transparent early - even if you do not know anything
2. Engage EDI and other tools to get the facts
3. Continuously update customers about the situation
4. Tell customers what you do not know
5. Find the cause and fix it (not just the mess)
In conclusion
Silence about a data breach benefits no one. It creates anger, leaves people vulnerable to risk and prevents the organization from learning. Building trust depends on transparency; silence destroys trust.The next time your organization thinks ‘let's keep this under wraps,’ ask the critical probing questions. What got leaked? Who needs to know?