cost of a data breachA new IBM Security study finds that hidden costs in data breaches – such as lost business, negative impact on reputation and employee time spent on recovery – are difficult and expensive to manage.

Sponsored by IBM Security and conducted by Ponemon Institute, the 2018 Cost of a Data Breach Study Data collection began February 2017 and interviews were completed in April 2018. The report found that the average cost of a data breach in South Africa is R36.5 million, increasing from R32 million in the 2017 report.

The average number of breached records found in the 2018 study was 21,090 – representing a 6.31% increase in the size of the average data breach.

Based on in-depth interviews with 20 companies that experienced a data breach, the study analysed hundreds of cost factors surrounding a breach, from technical investigations and recovery, to notifications, legal and regulatory activities, and cost of lost business and reputation.

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