Breach fuels call to fire Experian boss

Experian is facing calls to sack chief executive Brian Cassin following what is claimed to be the company’s 100th data breach, which has seen the business expose the personal details of more than 15 million American T-Mobile customers.
US privacy group Fight for the Future has launched a petition after hackers breached a system at the credit reporting agency, which had processed applications for the mobile phone giant.
The data stolen includes names, addresses, birth dates, social security numbers, drivers licence numbers and passport numbers.
The group maintains that Experian – which is based in Dublin – has been spending money on lobbying US Congress rather than beefing up its own security measures.
In a statement, it said: “Experian has been hacked more than 100 times, but instead of improving their inadequate digital security, they are spending money lobbying Congress to pass CISA, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, a bill that may give companies like them legal immunity in the event of a hack, as long as they share data with the government.
“Experian CEO Brian Cassin has put the profits of his company above the well-being of his customers and our nation’s cybersecurity. Why should Experian bother fixing their security when they can just lobby their way out of the messes they make?” a spokesman for the group added.
“This type of thinking is putting millions of people at risk. Cassin should resign and companies like Experian and T Mobile should take responsibility for the safety their customers’ data.”
The attack has also, perhaps unsurprisingly, infuriated the US boss of T-Mobile John Legere, who vented his anger on the company’s website. He said: “Obviously I am incredibly angry about this data breach and we will institute a thorough review of our relationship with Experian. But right now my top concern and first focus is assisting any and all consumers affected.”
Cassin was promoted to CEO last year from chief financial officer, and succeeded Don Robert, who had been in the role since 2006. Prior to that Cassin had worked in financial services at Barrings as well as Greehill & Co, where he was managing director for over a decade.