Cybersecurity breaches are a significant threat to a company’s financial health and its reputation. While the immediate consequences of cybercrime often involve data loss, corrupted information, and compromised accounts, the long-term implications can be far more devastating.
Reputation management should be a priority for business executives. Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in this effort because security incidents can significantly ruin an organization’s reputation. Research by ISACA indicates that 78% of respondents view the impact on an organization’s reputation as the top concern regarding cyberattacks.
“High-profile cyberattacks attract media attention, especially when they involve well-known organizations or affect a large number of customers,” says Andrius Buinovskis, head of product at NordLayer, a network security company. “The negative publicity can further diminish public trust, leading to a tarnished brand image and potential loss of market share. Then you lose the foundation of your business relationships, and it’s an uphill battle to rebuild consumers’ trust in you.”
Statistics on consumer trust after a cyberattack
A survey found that 75% of consumers expressed their readiness to sever ties with a brand in the aftermath of any cybersecurity issue. Moreover, 66% of US consumers stated they would not trust a company that experiences a data breach with their data.
A cyberattack will also affect stakeholder trust. When the financial services company Capital One disclosed a data breach, its share price dropped nearly 6% in after-hours trading. Over the next two weeks, the share price fell by almost 14% as investors struggled to repair the damage to the company’s reputation.
Businesses can assess the financial impact of a data breach, but the toll on a company’s reputation is often more challenging to measure. However, industry experts found a 60% failure rate among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) within 6-12 months of disclosing a breach.
Recovering from reputational damage in cybersecurity
Recovering from the reputational damage caused by a cybersecurity incident is a significant challenge that requires a strategic and long-term approach. Effective communication is crucial in managing this type of crisis because timely and accurate information can help control the breach’s impact and rebuild stakeholder trust.
Buinovskis explains that when a cybersecurity incident occurs, companies must communicate with all relevant stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and regulators. Businesses should be transparent, acknowledge any vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the breach, and demonstrate a sincere commitment to improving their security practices.
“Rebuilding trust after a cybersecurity incident requires you to demonstrate to your stakeholders that you’ve learned from your mistakes and are taking steps to prevent future incidents. Regular communication and a long-term plan to enhance your cybersecurity posture is essential for any organization seeking to regain the confidence of its customers and partners,” he says.
