Page 50 - Cyber Warnings - November 2015

In some cases—especially hacktivist attacks—the company’s employees also may be fearful about
the well-being of themselves and their families. A well-conceived, proactive response plan takes
into account these internal factors as well as any external impact.
Finally, there is the consumer. Consumers are affected in possibly the worst way. Their sensitive
personal information was stolen. While they didn’t play a direct role in the cyber-attack, they are
paying the price. It’s an important dynamic to remember when talking with them.

Fortunately for most consumers, dealing with a cyber-attack is outside their normal range of
experience. However, for those who fall victim, the usual coping mechanisms are insufficient to help
overcome the attack. This may put consumers at risk for psychological destabilization or intense
physical or psychological suffering.

It is not uncommon for victims to run the gauntlet of anger, guilt, isolation and vulnerability. These
emotions can lead to behavioral reactions including difficulty concentrating, insomnia, loss of
appetite and absenteeism. Physical reactions include sweating, aches and pains, and heart
palpitations.

While financial loss is one major outcome of a cyber-attack, breaches also can lead to identity
theft. In 2014, more than 12 million U.S. consumers had $16 billion stolen from them due to
1
identity theft. All victims of identity theft had some form of their personally identifiable
information (PII) used to fraudulently obtain goods, services, jobs, benefits, or medical services.

Examples of PII are:

 Name, address, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Driver’s License
 Medicare or health insurance number
 Bank account or credit card numbers
 Passwords (including maiden name)
 Biometric data (fingerprint, iris scan)
The effects of compromised PII can be devastating and harmful to the victims, including threats
like:

 Reduced ability to escape a domestic violence abuser or stalker
 Financial loss
 Denial of employment, housing
 IRS problems
 Time and cost of repairing damage
The average out-of-pocket cost for recovery is $1,870. According to the Bureau of Justice
Statistics Special Report, more than three million people experienced issues such as having
utilities cut off, being arrested, finding erroneous claims on their health records, having child
support garnished for children they never had and being harassed by collection agencies.

1 http://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/identity-theft-and-cybercrime

50 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – November 2015 Edition
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