Equifax Launches Data Breach Resources Website to Help Educate and Protect Canadian Businesses

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 27, 2014) - Equifax Canada (NYSE:EFX) today launched a new Data Breach resources website (www.equifaxprotect.com) in response to a recent rash of data breaches and pending legislative changes aimed at protecting organizations that collect and maintain personal data.

"Data breaches seem to be making headlines daily, with data loss volumes increasing exponentially," said John Russo, Vice-President, Legal Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer of Equifax Canada. "To avoid being the next headline, businesses that collect and store data about their customers or employees must be pro-active in their efforts, and be better equipped and prepared to deal with such incidents, as inevitably they impact all organizations, big and small."

With Data Breaches on the rise (Equifax 2013 annual statistics reveal an increase of over 250% from 2012 in the reported data breach occurrences), all organizations who maintain data are at risk of experiencing a breach, the risk is exacerbated with the trend towards cloud computing, and the use of third-party application services.

The Equifax Data Breach resources site brings Canadian businesses current incidence response checklists, online data governance assessment tools, news and privacy reform information enabling them to be better prepared and equipped in the face of a defending against a data breach.

"With federal privacy law changes likely on the horizon, companies should be pro-actively implementing internal policies and controls to prepare for, and mitigate the legal and financial ramifications of a data breach," advised Russo. "Corporate accountability is crucial. Having an incidence response plan in place will help to minimize any future liability, negative public perception, and serve as a good defence against the inevitable class action lawsuits that typically stem from a data compromise; maintaining consumer trust is critical to success in these difficult situations."

Do your Data Governance and Loss Prevention Plans Measure Up? Take the Equifax online organizational self-assessment and do a business health-check today.

To learn more about the Equifax Data Breach solutions please call 1-855-233-9226 to speak to an Equifax Advisor or visit us at www.equifaxprotect.com.

About Equifax

Equifax is a global leader in consumer and commercial information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 600 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or have investments in 19 countries and is a member of the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.

For more information, please visit www.equifax.ca.