Since 2005, data breaches have more than tripled as advances in technology have made the collection and sharing of information easier and more efficient. In 2011 alone, there were 558 reported U.S. data breaches resulting in the disclosure of personal information for more than 126 million people. As instances of data breach have skyrocketed, so have the costs; the Privacy Rights Clearing House estimates that data breach last year cost companies roughly $7.2 million per incident. Nightmare scenarios look similar to Sony's massive breach of its online video game network in 2011. That single breach led to the theft of names, includes the subject's name, address, social security number and driver's license number, as well as additional information found in leases, financial records, insurance records and other documentation.
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