Remember that TJX Is a Victim

Eight years ago this week news sources buzzed about the Melissa virus. How times change! Vulnerabilities and exposures are being monetized with astonishing efficiency these days. 1999 seems so quaint, doesn't it?

With the release of TJX's 10-K to the SEC all news sources are discussing the theft of over 45 million credit cards from TJX computers. I skimmed the 10-K but didn't find details on the root cause. I hope this information is revealed in one of the lawsuits facing TJX. Information on what happened is the only good that can come from this disaster.

It's important to remember that TJX is a victim, just as its customers are victims. The real bad guys here are the criminals who compromised TJX resources and stole sensitive information. TJX employees may be found guilty of criminal negligence, but that doesn't remove the fact that an unauthorized party attacked TJX and stole sensitive information. Unfortunately I believe the amount of effort directed at apprehending the offenders will be dwarfed by the resources directed at TJX. That will leave those intruders and others like them to continue preying on other weak holders of valuable information.

Update: At least US credit card holders don't have it as bad as our friends in the UK.