Loading...

Experian’s 7th Annual Data Breach Preparedness Study

Published: February 24, 2020 by Guest Contributor

Experian’s 7th Annual Data Breach Preparedness Study is available now, and its findings show organizations struggling in a few areas that are sure to see data breach activity increase this year.

New to report this year: we surveyed IT and IT security, compliance, and privacy professionals inboththe U.S. and the EMEA to compare the regional differences amongst organizations and their outlook around data breach preparedness.

A few themes that stuck out in the study this year were:

Spear Phishing and Ransomware

  • 69% of respondents had one or more spear phishing attacks in 2019
    • Since 2017, respondents who say their organizations are very confident or confident in their ability to deal with spear phishing attacks has declined from 31% to 23%
  • 36% of respondents say their organizations had a ransomware attack last year with only 20% feeling confident in their ability to deal with it
    • The average ransom was $6,128, and 68% of respondents say the ransom was paid

Confidence in Data Breach Response Plans

  • From a reputation standpoint, only 23% of respondents say their organization is confident in its ability to minimize the financial and reputational consequences of a material data breach
  • Only 38% of respondents believe they are effective at doing what needs to be done following a data breach to prevent the loss of customers’ and business partners’ trust and confidence

Global Data Breaches

  • Only 34% of respondents say they are confident their organizations are able to respond to global breaches, as breaches increasingly become international in scope

Read the full results of Experian’s 7th Annual Data Breach Preparedness Study and see how you compare to other organizations when it comes to data breach preparedness.

Related Posts

Learn what lending fraud is, what you can do to safeguard your organization and consumers and how we can help. Read more!

Published: August 7, 2025 by Laura Burrows

Data breaches continue to be a reality for organizations across industries, and the complexity of responding to them is only increasing. From AI-driven fraud to third-party exposures, the risk landscape is shifting fast. Having a modern and tested response plan is essential to containing the damage, protecting your customers, and preserving your organization’s reputation when a breach occurs. Experian’s eleventh annual Data Breach Response Guide draws on decades of breach support experience. It offers practical strategies and insights for navigating the moments that matter most: the first hours after a breach and the days that follow. The 2025–2026 guide explores: How AI is shaping new breach and fraud patterns Where organizations are most vulnerable, including third-party and supply chain weak points Consumer expectations and how they influence crisis response How prepared organizations are reducing impact and protecting trust What is required to build a modern, effective breach response plan Organizations with a tested plan can potentially reduce the cost, impact, and long-term consequences of a breach. From real-world case insights to crisis communication templates, this guide is designed to help teams act quickly and confidently. Download the 2025–2026 Data Breach Response Guide to learn how you can strengthen your breach preparedness, reduce risk exposure, and build resilience against the next wave of cybersecurity threats. Download guide

Published: August 4, 2025 by Julie Lee

Experian is proud to be a Thought Leadership Sponsor at this year’s Federal Identity Forum & Expo. Meet us on site at FedID!

Published: August 1, 2025 by Kim Le