USA 2005 REVIEW OF IDENTITY THEFT Press Release - A Data Tape Fumble and Major Computer Hack Job Cap off a Year Fraught with Large-scale Security Breaches and Whispers of Massive Identity TheftsA Data Tape Fumble and Major Computer Hack Job Cap off a Year Fraught with Large-scale Security Breaches and Whispers of Massive Identity Thefts
According to an expert who presents identity theft workshops to Fortune 500 companies nationwide, these developments are fitting ways to cap off a year that was swimming in security breaches and identity theft.



/24-7PressRelease/ - BOSTON, MA, December 27, 2005 - (IDTheftSecurity.com) Reports this week described the loss of customer data tapes from a large mortgage company and revealed that hackers had managed to infiltrate the database of a company that itself investigates computer hacking incidents. According to an expert who presents identity theft workshops to Fortune 500 companies nationwide, these developments are fitting ways to cap off a year that was swimming in security breaches and identity theft. Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, sees little improvement in the ways industry protects our data.

"News of the ChoicePoint breaches broke in February of this year," said Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com. "Then we heard about the scare with Bank of America tapes, Social Security numbers of Boeing employees, everything in between, and now the latest. It's like nobody has learned anything." Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and an upcoming book, "Identity Theft Pandemic: Curing the Identity Theft Virus," Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

MSNBC and others ran articles this week piecing together the apparent loss by delivery firm DHL and subsequent retrieval by the proprietor, a mortgage company, of computer tape containing data on 2 million mortgage customers. According to accounts, Dutch-owned ABN Amro Mortgage Group Inc. reported this past Friday the retrieval of lost computer tape that had entered transit via DHL on Nov. 18, more than a month ago.

"These companies should treat this data as if it were money to be transported in an armored vehicle," Siciliano said. "Imagine if millions of dollars were transported via a run-of-the-mill delivery truck."

"Companies are cutting corners," Siciliano added. "It costs money to expand the capabilities of in-house server backup. Taking chances with the transit of consumers' data costs industry less to low-tech warehouses is less expensive."

"And people should be asking why the credit bureaus aren't providing transport vehicles," Siciliano added. "Credit bureaus require the tapes but don't seem to chip in with transportation costs."

On Monday The Washington Post reported that hackers had compromised the database of Guidance Software, a Pasadena, Calif.-based company whose purpose, ironically, is to diagnose hacked computer systems. According to the article, Guidance's database contained sensitive identifying information on thousands of those working in law enforcement and network security.

"To Guidance's credit, the company was prompt in notifying customers of their compromised identities," said Siciliano. "This is more than can be said for most other companies this year plagued by security breaches."

"Beyond the irony behind Guidance's problems," Siciliano continued, "we see just how perilous computer security really is. Everyone's identity is on a computer, somewhere, and it seems like the information is fair game if you're a smart enough hacker."

"Industry needs to be in crisis mode, but doesn't seem to be," Siciliano concluded. "This week, we've learned that companies continue to handle our data just as they always have -- despite the obvious threat exemplified by multiple high-profile breaches this year. How many second chances are we going to give them?"

Robert Siciliano has been widely quoted and televised since high-profile data breaches highlighted the problem of identity theft earlier this year. He provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients and leads personal safety and security seminars nationwide. Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, "The Suze Orman Show," "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," and "The Howard Stern Show."

The media may reach Siciliano at 888-SICILIANO (742-4542). Visit his Web site, http://www.IDTheftSecurity.com, or his blog, http://www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com. Siciliano's full contact information follows:

Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
E-MAIL: Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner, President
STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
E-MAIL: BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz