Last year over 53 million people had their personal information exposed online somehow. That’s about 20% of the US population. Those numbers look worse when you consider that the majority of some age groups (the elderly for example) don’t use the web much. Spamming specialists (and there are a lot out there) are finding increasingly creative ways to track your online viewing habits. Simple, seemingly innocent every day web functions, increases your vulnerability. In the process of downloading a song, shopping or chatting online users run the risk of inadvertently downloading spyware that clutters hard drives, slows downs performance, or permanently disables their computer.
What does all of this have to do with recognition planning? For many practioners the web is the tool of choice. Cost efficiencies, targeted communication, and real time diagnostics come with the move to cyberspace. But to the ill prepared there is a risk. Sponsoring companies share sensitive information with vendors daily. SSNs, phone numbers, employee IDs, dependant demographics, addresses, etc are part of the normal data exchange. Companies using the web now have the additional need to make certain that sensitive information (either passed on to vendors or published on company intra/internet sites) is secure from hackers and identity bandits.
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