ABSTRACT

While a convenience of digital data is that it is easily stored and readily accessible, that also represents one of its greatest risks; namely, the threat of a database being hacked, with all manner of personal or corporate proprietary data being stolen and compromised in some way. Another risk is that a hacker might gain access to a database, and then demand a ransom for not wreaking havoc in one way or another. Because of the potential for abuse, both within a company (intentional or otherwise) and from outside it (intentional or otherwise), a plethora of laws and regulations have been promulgated by governmental (and quasi-governmental) agencies around the world to help safeguard consumer information, with fines payable if companies are deemed to have failed to ensure proper privacy and other protections are in place.