Cyber Security Becomes a Boardroom Priority

Data breaches from cyber attacks have wreaked havoc on major industries in recent years. Prominent companies like Target, Anthem, Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, and EBay have all been affected by targeted attacks. These attacks, which typically put individuals’ private identification numbers and payment methods in jeopardy, come at a great cost to corporations.
Internet security concept open red padlock virus or unsecured with threat of hacking

The Ponemon Institute found that, on average, each individual data loss costs a company approximately $154. Multiply that number by 83 million users, and JPMorgan Chase’s recent loss totaled in at around a staggering 12.78 billion dollars—and that’s just a rough estimate; the number is likely higher.

Obviously, these high-profile hacks and breaches have pushed cyber security to the forefront of board members’ concerns. According to PWC’s most recent Corporate Directors Survey, board members are becoming more engaged with IT strategy—namely cyber security risks.

The study states, “83% of directors describe themselves as at least ‘moderately’ engaged with overseeing the risk of cyber attacks.”
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