In 500 words or more, discuss the risk and costs of comprom…
In 500 words or more, discuss the risk and costs of compromised data integrity breaches. Focus on integrity not confidentiality. Look at military, education, science, medicine, finance, utilities, municipalities, etc. Cite your sources. Do not copy. Write in essay format not in bulleted, numbered or other list format. Reply to two classmates’ posting in a paragraph of at least five sentences by asking questions, reflecting on your own experience, challenging assumptions, pointing out something new you learned, offering suggestions. It is important that you use your own words, that you cite your sources, that you comply with the instructions regarding length of your post and that you reply to two classmates in a substantive way (not ‘nice post’ or the like). Your goal is to help your colleagues write better.
Title: Risk and Costs of Compromised Data Integrity Breaches: An Analysis across Various Sectors
Introduction:
Data integrity breaches pose significant risks and costs to organizations in various sectors. While the focus here will be on integrity rather than confidentiality, it is essential to understand the implications of compromised data integrity. This essay aims to discuss the risks and costs associated with data integrity breaches in military, education, science, medicine, finance, utilities, municipalities, and other sectors.
Military Sector:
In the military sector, compromised data integrity can have severe consequences. For instance, an altered or manipulated military data can lead to miscommunication, strategic miscalculations, compromised intelligence, and even military casualties. A study conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that the mean cost of a cyberattack in the military sector is around $11.5 million, highlighting the financial impact of data integrity breaches (CSIS, 2017). It is crucial for military organizations to ensure the secure and protected transfer, storage, and analysis of data to maintain operational effectiveness.
Education Sector:
In the education sector, compromised data integrity can have significant implications for student records, academic research, and institutional reputations. A breach in data integrity could result in altered grades, falsified academic achievements, and compromised research findings. Moreover, such breaches can erode trust within the educational community, leading to reputational damage and potential legal consequences. The Ponemon Institute’s annual “Cost of Cyber Crime” report reveals that the education sector experiences an average of 5.1 successful cyberattacks per week, highlighting the persistent risk faced by educational institutions (Ponemon Institute, 2019).
Science Sector:
Data integrity breaches in the science sector can have severe implications for both the advancement of scientific knowledge and the credibility of scientific research. Manipulated or compromised data can lead to false scientific claims, hindering scientific progress and potentially wasting resources. Notable cases, such as the fraudulent research conducted by Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk, highlight the damage that can be done to the reputation of the individual and the scientific community. Additionally, compromised data integrity in the science sector can hinder collaboration among researchers, impeding the exchange of critical information.
Medicine Sector:
In the medicine sector, compromised data integrity can have dire consequences, including patient safety risks, altered medical records, and compromised clinical trials. Manipulated or corrupted medical data can lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect treatments, and potentially fatal medical errors. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reported that between 2009 and 2019, there were over 2,546 data breaches in the healthcare industry, with a significant portion involving data integrity compromises (OCR, 2020).
Finance Sector:
Data integrity breaches in the finance sector can result in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory non-compliance. Manipulated financial data can lead to false financial statements, securities fraud, and incorrect assessments of risk. A study conducted by Accenture found that the average cost of cybercrime for financial services companies is approximately $18.3 million per year, emphasizing the substantial economic impact of data integrity breaches in this sector (Accenture, 2018).