Hacking And Malice No Substitutes For Stupidity When It Comes To Data Leaks
from the that-wasn't-too-smart-eh dept
In all our coverage of corporate data leaks and the fallout from them, there are two noticeable trends. First, the disinterest on the part of companies and government to actually do anything to stop the problem, and second, that stupidity is often as much to blame for the leaks as any malicious action. This story falls into the second trend: the provincial government in British Columbia has managed to auction off a set of data tapes containing people's social insurance numbers, dates of birth and medical records among other information. As noted in the article, most companies would destroy these types of backup tapes -- or at least one would hope they would -- rather than resell them, even if they had been erased. While people focus on the malicious aspects of data leaks, perhaps trying to limit the effects of personal stupidity might be a better use of resources -- though certainly a much harder task.
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Even hacking is due to stupidity by gh on Mar 6th, 2006 @ 10:45am
If they cared about protecting their data, they can hire people and listen to them who can secure it.
There are people good enough to do it. The concern and economic incentive just isnt there.
Most data is stolen by circumventing extremely poor and well known security holes.
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What's worse... by Jim D. on Mar 6th, 2006 @ 11:14am
Even worse, THIS HAPPENED BEFORE according to the article. It's one thing to do something stupid, but it's a whole 'nother ball game to repeat the act...
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Who is the victim by Jobe on Mar 6th, 2006 @ 11:23am
We are, when we are hit with identity theft. We should demand that our government pass laws to safeguard our personal information, along with the companies responbility if they lose our data. As well as notify us if our data has been lost or compromised.
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No Subject Given by Michael on Mar 6th, 2006 @ 11:37am
No excuses, but I can understand the tech-challenged manager who made the decision. Backup tapes are awfully expensive...
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Re: No Subject Given by Pat on Mar 6th, 2006 @ 11:56am
Getting fired is more expensive.
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Backup Tapes by Guru on Mar 6th, 2006 @ 12:19pm
My manager gave me about 30 old backup tapes from our accounting server with data on it. This is a well known company thatI am talking about but I will not say. The Chief of IT even allowed me to have the old server complete with hard drives (altho frozen HD's) there was no agree to erase the tapes or anything, they were just old and free for all the tecs to take home and use them.
I think this is how it was in many companies untill this kind of stuff made it to the media.
How much would they go for on ebay?? --just kidding .. hehe
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No excuses by elaine on Mar 7th, 2006 @ 1:16am
If someone stole your ID, your natural reaction is to be angry because it is your identity that they are stealing and excuses would pretty much be coined as unacceptable. In this case, the scale just got bigger and the damage also got bigger. Firms should know how to dispose of these things responsibly and not leave it behind to someone whose resort is tuned in to ebay.
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