In 2005, Derek V. Smith, CEO of ChoicePoint, Inc, a leader in the industry of personal data, is faced with some difficult strategic objectives. Under his watch, the company has allowed large security breaches, loss of about 160,000 personal files, which it does not prevent or detect immediately. This resulted in increased attention to and control over personal data privacy issues of Congress to consider several new bills. Meanwhile, the pressure to change the way he did business was the installation of the media, the Federal Trade Commission, the influential advocates of privacy, and the public. The case focuses on Smith as he weighs his options after several months of trying to change public opinion. Smith needed to make a decision on the appropriate use of social security numbers, as well as the restoration of faith in his company and the industry of personal data, as both face serious threats legitimacy. "Hide
by Cynthia Clark Williams Source: North American Case Research Association (NACRA) 16 pages. Publication Date: October 15, 2007. Prod. #: NA0046-PDF-ENG
