BrianKrebs on Nostr: Just had another breach notification/quote request go sideways in an icky way. I'm ...
Just had another breach notification/quote request go sideways in an icky way. I'm only mentioning it because this has happened to me more times than I care to remember, and it infuriates me every time.
Here's the scenario. I hear from a researcher who finds bad thing, data exposure, etc. If I can confirm the researcher's findings, I'll then seek comment from the organization in question. Mind you, this effort usually includes both written and oral communications clearly stating that I am a journalist, and that I am working on a story about the problem and its hopeful resolution.
The response in this scenario involves a reply from a senior executive -- often the CEO -- thanking me for the information, and in the same breath asking if I do any consulting work.
I can't pretend to know what's going on in the mind of the person who asks me this question in this situation, but as a journalist it always sounds and feels like a thinly veiled bribe offer.
To my mind, it's bit like getting pulled over for plowing through a red light, and then handing the cop a $100 bill along with your license.
I always try to respond charitably, by politely declining and explaining that's not really something I do. If I'm not totally insulted at that point, I may even suggest some competent experts. Because god knows anyone who responds this way needs all the help they can get.
Here's the scenario. I hear from a researcher who finds bad thing, data exposure, etc. If I can confirm the researcher's findings, I'll then seek comment from the organization in question. Mind you, this effort usually includes both written and oral communications clearly stating that I am a journalist, and that I am working on a story about the problem and its hopeful resolution.
The response in this scenario involves a reply from a senior executive -- often the CEO -- thanking me for the information, and in the same breath asking if I do any consulting work.
I can't pretend to know what's going on in the mind of the person who asks me this question in this situation, but as a journalist it always sounds and feels like a thinly veiled bribe offer.
To my mind, it's bit like getting pulled over for plowing through a red light, and then handing the cop a $100 bill along with your license.
I always try to respond charitably, by politely declining and explaining that's not really something I do. If I'm not totally insulted at that point, I may even suggest some competent experts. Because god knows anyone who responds this way needs all the help they can get.