This week’s “cybersecurity incident” that forced London Drugs to close all its stores across Western Canada is another harsh reminder of the vulnerabilities all companies face in the digital age.

For decades, information security mainly operated in the shadows of organizations, a misunderstood skillset often left to its own devices. Now, however, companies are more at risk to data breaches as business operations have increasingly shifted online, from customer and vendor transactions, sales tracking and compensation figures, to name a few.

The closing of more than 80 London Drugs stores since Sunday was reminiscent of cyberattacks in recent years that struck Capital One (NYSE:COF), Equifax’s (NYSE:EFX), Indigo (TSE:IDG), Norsk Hydro (OTCMKTS:NHYDY) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM).

Back in November, in a Public Pulse feature you can watch in the video above, The Market Online’s Ryan Dhillon examined the impact security breaches had on the reputations and performance of those companies.

Join the discussion: Find out what everybody’s saying about public companies and hot topics about stocks at Stockhouse’s stock forums and message boards.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.


More From The Market Online

Odd Burger to add 40 locations in Florida

Odd Burger (TSXV:ODD) will develop 40 new locations in Florida over the next eight years, with its sights set on further U.S. expansion.

Rock Tech notches approvals for German lithium refinery

Rock Tech Lithium (TSXV:RKC) reveals it has received the full permits for its planned lithium refinery in Guben, Germany.

KWESST to provide situational awareness for the Canadian Red Cross

KWESST Micro Systems (TSXV:KWE) wins a contract to provide a situational awareness app to support the Canadian Red Cross.

Air Canada stock rises as service from Ottawa grows

Air Canada (TSX:AC) boosts its schedule serving Ottawa by almost 60 per cent with more flights across the nation.