Verizon Data Breach Report: Payment-Card Theft Can Be Avoided at Little Cost

By Danny Yadron, WSJ

There were nearly 200 hacks last year of the payment systems used by retailers, hotels and restaurants. Most of them could have been prevented without spending much money, according to a new report from Verizon’s cybersecurity team.

The theft of 40 million credit and debit card numbers from Target last year raised new questions about whether companies that handle personal information spend enough on cybersecurity. Information protection has turned into a $70 billion market with a slew of new firms offering new security gadgets and services.

But in its annual report on the scope of cybercrime, Verizon suggests basic hygiene at major retailers could go a long way in protecting payment systems.

Some of the suggestions seem pretty basic.

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