Cybersecurity Awareness Month message from Experian Data Breach Resolution: prepare and practice your data breach response plan

COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- While organizations are more aware of the importance of preparing for a data breach, many still do not have an incident response team and plan in place, nor are they confident in their ability to manage a breach. To assist organizations with getting started and better understanding the current data breach landscape, Experian Data Breach Resolution has released its 2014–2015 Data Breach Response Guide. 

According to a recent Ponemon Institute study, more than 25 percent of companies do not have a data breach response plan, and only 38 percent felt their organization is prepared to respond to a breach. Among those that have a response plan, one-third felt their plan was ineffective.[1]

"While large breaches that make the headlines create greater awareness, companies still are struggling operationally with being properly prepared to manage a data breach," said Michael Bruemmer, vice president at Experian Data Breach Resolution. "In order to execute a successful response, organizations must identify a response team and develop a plan as well as review and practice their plan on an ongoing basis. As part of the plan, they should secure external experts ahead of time, research and understand legitimate protection products to offer to affected customers and make the public relations factor a high priority."

The complimentary guide can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/2014-2015-response-guide.

The content includes an overview of the notification process, how to select external vendors, considerations for international breaches, and a contribution from the Edelman Data Security and Privacy Group on successfully managing the communications component of a breach response.

"This guide is a useful tool as a launching point, and then organizations must tailor their plan. To properly drive an adequate response, companies should ensure a plan outlines incidents based on the type of information they collect, their industry sector and operating countries," said Experian Data Breach Resolution Senior Director Ozzie Fonseca. "They also should conduct research and audit how industry peers have handled relatable breach incidents and plan for a similar scenario, as well as understand their consumer base to be prepared to tailor notifications accordingly."

In addition to releasing the guide, Experian Data Breach Resolution will present at several conferences in the fall, educating organizations on data breach preparedness and response. Bruemmer and Fonseca also are available through November to conduct a limited number of complimentary presentations and workshops for individual organizations addressing data breach preparedness and response. If your organization is interested in hosting a presentation, please contact Experian Data Breach Resolution at [email protected].

For additional data breach resources, including Webinars, white papers and videos, visit http://www.experian.com/databreach. Read the Experian Data Breach Resolution blog at http://www.experian.com/dbblog.

About Experian Data Breach Resolution
Experian Data Breach Resolution, powered by the nation's largest credit bureau, is a leader in helping businesses plan for and mitigate consumer risk following data breach incidents. With more than a decade of experience, Experian Data Breach Resolution has successfully serviced some of the largest and highest-profile breaches in history. The group offers swift and effective incident management, notification, call center support and reporting services while serving millions of affected consumers with proven credit and identity protection products. In 2013, Experian Data Breach Resolution received the Customer Service Team of the Year award from the American Business Awards. Experian Data Breach Resolution is active with the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the Health Care Compliance Association, the American Health Lawyers Association, the Ponemon Institute RIM Council and InfraGuard and is a founding member of the Medical Identity Fraud Alliance. For more information, visit http://www.experian.com/databreach and follow us on Twitter @Experian_DBR.

About Experian
Experian^® is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2014, was US$4.8 billion. Experian employs approximately 16,000 people in 39 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

^[1]Is Your Company Ready for a Big Breach? Second Annual Study on Data Breach Preparedness, Ponemon Institute, September 2014

Contacts:

Leah Motz
Edelman
1 206 664 7843
[email protected]

Sandra A. Bernardo, APR
Experian Data Breach Resolution
1 949 567 3676
[email protected]

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SOURCE Experian