Survey: Consumers Would Avoid Businesses with Breaches

A new survey finds large numbers of responding consumers declaring they would not return to a business that lost their confidential information.

Forty percent of respondents said they would get a new physician or dentist, 42 percent would change pharmacies and 35 percent would not return to a hospital. Harris Interactive conducted the online survey of 2,061 adults under commission from Cintas Corporation, which provides range of products and services to more than one million businesses.

For your consideration: 6 Steps to Showing HIPAA Privacy/Security Compliance

Cintas is using the survey to promote its document management services. “This research confirms that by failing to make security a priority, businesses can discourage once-loyal customers from returning,” says John Otten, marketing manager at Cintas. “It could also stop potential customers from ever patronizing your business.”

Other types of businesses that responding consumers say they would avoid following a breach include banks (55 percent), insurers (46 percent), lawyers (39 percent), donations to charities/nonprofits (38 percent) and donations to educational institutions (24 percent).