So I’m sure that all of us hear about data being stolen or lost from major organizations and then they offer the victims credit report watch for a few years and then it disappears on the news.

So let me keep it real for those out there that wonder about the use of stolen data.  It goes way beyond trying to do something stupid like identity theft or credit card fraud.

There are a number or organizations and individuals that sell this information and not for what you think about.

Let me give you an example.  Right now I’m (Rebel Saffold III) currently working on a political campaign.  Well, some individuals know that I am and because they know that I understand technology and are a major technology operated campaign I have had offers for the use or selling of Colorado mail lists.

These lists are very, very expensive.  I’ve seen offers for a 20,000 email account list go for as much as $8,000!  The list can reach this amount because of all of the additional meta data they come with.  Now going beyond a simple list of email addresses, you have information to begin segmenting the data and targeting your messaging.  Now that’s truly valuable property.

So think it’s not important to keep your laptop safe, or leave those documents in the coffee shop your working in?  Think again, that’s very valuable property.

This is a key value in the work we conduct.  The confidentiallity agreement has to be in place to protect the organization and the constituents it support.  Data is a passion of mine, so I hold it in high reguard.