Of Cyber Hacks and Cheesecake

Probably most of us have received the unsettling email from one of the corporations with which we regularly do business.It goes something like this:

“We are sorry to inform you that our internal systems have been compromised by a hack…….names, email addresses, credit card information may have been compromised…..we have acted quickly to secure our systems…..engaged leading cyber security firm….providing you with free credit monitoring for a year….”.

And then, of course, the part I like the best: “We apologize for any inconvenience”. That’s it. An apology – not for having your trusted information stolen, but for “any inconvenience” it entails.

Like most others, I’ve had to accept the fact that digital theft is a risk we all face, and is the offset to the ease and convenience (there’s that word again) we get by communicating and ordering products online. 

Banks, credit card companies, insurance agencies and the like are all an unavoidable part of the risk, and we move forward in our digital worlds, hoping for the best.

Which brings us to The Cheesecake Factory. Friends visiting from out of town wanted to join us for lunch at this popular restaurant, so I called to make a reservation. 

Not so fast there, buster. Reservations taken only online, and only by signing up for my very own Cheesecake Factory account – providing name, address, phone number, email address, etc. 

I spoke with the “team member” I was able to reach on the phone. Nope, not the way we do it here at The Factory, but she offered to put me in touch with her manager – who never picked up the call, and I eventually hung up and sent their corporate office one of those strongly worded notes.

I should put all of my information in the hands of the Cheesecake Factory, who may or may not get hacked, all for a lunch? I think not.

Time for all of us – me, anyway – to start thinking twice about whom I trust with my information. 

And maybe the Cheesecake Factory may want to think about how much they want to welcome occasional diners, instead of driving them away. Just sayin’.