If you’ve ever heard about a
data breach, what does that really mean for real people? This case serves as an excellent example. A federal judge has approved a
$17.5 million settlement involving
Infosys McCamish related to the loss of customer’s
personally identifiable information (PII) resulting from a data breach.
So, How Did This Happen?
In
October 2023,
Infosys McCamish suffered a cyber attack on its network. Hackers were able to access computer systems that contained private data on individuals. Some of this data included information that individuals expect to be collected by businesses.
As time passed, banks and customers traced the leak back to
McCamish. Many people were understandably concerned and upset about their personal data being exposed. Wouldn't you be concerned and upset if your personal data had been compromised?
Why Did It Go Through The Court System?
After the breach, many individuals affected filed
lawsuits against Infosys McCamish in
the United States claiming that the company did not take appropriate steps to secure their data. Instead of fighting through the court systems for years,
Infosys McCamish chose to settle.
The U.S. court has now officially approved the case to move forward after that ruling.
What does the $17.5 million settlement mean?
The $17.5 million settlement is broken down like this:
- The total amount of the settlement is $17.5 million
- The settlement will compensate the affected users from the breach that occurred.
- However, this settlement does not mean that the company admits wrongdoing or negligence.
- If no one appeals the decision, then this settlement becomes final.
For a reminder of how much damage a breach can inflict on an organization. The
$17.5 million settlement is proof that companies suffer significant loss from a
failure to secure user data. Companies that fail to
protect user data are facing consequences. Also, it is important to read the notices that come to you when there is a breach, as you may be entitled to some monetary benefit from this incident.
In summary, the
$17.5 million settlement represents a significant turn of events for
Infosys McCamish, but it also sends a very strong message about the necessity of protecting user data in a
digital world.