 TITLE: Experian Forecasts the Top 5 Data Breach Predictions for 2019 CONTENT: Increasing Identity Theft Risk\n------------------------------\nBetween 2005 and 2017, significant data breaches—the type that affected millions of users—rose from about 200 per year to more than 1,300, according to the ITRC. Billions of pieces of data have been exposed. That has made it easy for cybercriminals to monetize stolen data, which has, in turn, led to an increased risk of identity theft. Protecting consumer data and organizational network infrastructures from potential cyber threats is a day-in and day-out battle for companies. But the time has come for consumers to step up and take control of their digital identity.\n\"In the future, consumers will need a comprehensive plan and monitoring in place to protect their larger digital identity,\" said Brian Stack, vice president of dark web intelligence at Experian. \"Consumers must be prepared to regain control if they are victims of a multi-vector attack, which means that cyber-criminals want to turn your devices into botnets that can cause even more damage. The ability to respond quickly will be critical in ensuring financial assets are secure and protected from ongoing or future attacks against their digital identity.\" END