Insecure about Security:

Here's the reality, plain and simple. Since the ChoicePoint breach in February 2005 there have been 9 publicly-disclosed data breach incidents involving tape loss starting with the bank of america on 2/25/05 and ending with Providence Home Services on 1/25/06. These 9 incidents exposed the personal data of over 8.6 million Americans.

8,601,000 (# of Americans whose personal data was breached) x $140 (Ponemon Institute estimate of the cost per breached individual) = $1,204,140,000!

Assuming your backups go off-site (they do, right?) what happens if they get.. *ahem*.. 'misplaced'? Can someone else get at that data? What happens if they do? What's your exposure? What's the impact on your bottom line once that information hits the media?

Now, compare that to how much it costs...