By Daniel Maldet, CMIT Solutions
By now, most of us have dealt with the aftermath of a data breach. Be it a breach at a retailer, bank, school, or even a municipality like the City of Columbus, information we provide has likely been compromised at some point or another. When a data breach is announced, we are typically warned to take precautions, and often, we’re even offered free credit monitoring to flag any suspicious activity on our accounts.
But what happens when a data breach goes undisclosed? Unfortunately, some organizations experience security breaks involving customer or employee data and choose not to share the news publicly or even with the individuals affected. The decision not to disclose can have long-term and deeply harmful consequences for both individuals and businesses.
When people don’t know their personal data has been compromised—such as email addresses, passwords, Social Security numbers, or financial information—they can’t take steps to protect themselves. That means no password changes, no credit monitoring or freezes, no heightened vigilance for phishing scams or identity theft. In many cases, those affected only discover a breach after fraudulent activity has already occurred.
The public expects that organizations holding their data will not only safeguard it but also be honest when something goes wrong. Silence erodes trust and sends the message that a company’s reputation matters more than the safety of the people it serves. Over time, this damages confidence in digital systems as a whole and contributes to growing skepticism about how personal data is handled.
Unfortunately, no organization is immune to cyber incidents. That’s why vigilance on the consumer side is so important. Individuals should assume their data will be exposed at some point and take proactive steps to reduce risk. Using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, monitoring financial accounts, and checking credit reports regularly are no longer “extra” precautions—they’re essential habits in today’s digital environment.
For business owners, particularly small businesses, the urge to keep a breach quiet is often driven by fear: fear of legal consequences, fear of customer backlash, or fear of reputational harm. In reality, failing to disclose a breach can make all those outcomes worse.
In most cases, Ohio’s Security Breach Notification Act (ORC 1349.19) requires businesses to disclose data breaches to those affected in the quickest way possible and typically within 45 days of the breach being discovered. Depending on the nature of the data involved, federal regulations or industry-specific rules may also apply.
Beyond legal requirements, prompt, honest disclosure gives those affected the chance to protect themselves and shows that a business takes data security responsibilities seriously. While no company wants to admit a security failure, the public is far more forgiving of organizations that communicate clearly and act quickly than those that try to hide the truth.
In cybersecurity, silence isn’t safety—it’s risk. For individuals, vigilance is the best defense in a world where breaches may go unannounced. For businesses, transparency isn’t just a compliance issue; it’s a cornerstone of trust. In the end, protecting data means more than preventing breaches—it means doing the right thing when prevention falls short.
