A new report from the Identity Theft Resource Center indicates that insider theft of personal data increased from 15% to 18.4% during the first half of 2009. The data is based upon the 250 data breaches reported by the ITRC as of June 15.
Malicious attacks, which the ITRC regards as breaches within their insider theft and hacking categories, make up 36% of all breaches reported this year. The ITRC, who has been tracking breaches involving the loss personal information since 2005, also states that many breaches are caused by repeated events from the same organizations who "just don't get it".
According to the press release:
Breaches cost businesses and the government money, a direct hit to their reputation, and a possible loss of consumer trust. For years, companies have said that it would cost more to make protective changes than to pay the price of a data breach. That formula is dated, incorrect, and a risky business practice. Breaches now have significant business cost attached to notification and mitigation. The fact is that any company or agency implementing effective data protection will save money in the long-run. More importantly, they will enhance trust with their customers and the public.
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