From time to time, we may face attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to our network or IT systems through various forms of the Internet or try to introduce malicious software to our network or IT systems, including our BMS. We or our products may be a target of computer hackers, organizations or malicious attackers who attempt to:
- gain access to our systems, network or data centers or those of our customers;- steal proprietary information related to our business, products, employees and customers; or - interrupt our infrastructure or those of our customers.
To date, no attempts to gain unauthorized access to our network or IT systems have resulted in any material adverse impact to our business or operations; however, there can be no guarantee that such intrusions will not be material in the future. While we seek to detect and investigate all unauthorized attempts and attacks against our IT systems, network and products, and to prevent their recurrence where practicable through changes to our internal processes and tools and/or changes to our products, we remain potentially vulnerable to additional known or unknown threats, such as, among other things, malware and computer virus attacks, ransomware attacks, social engineering attacks (including phishing attacks), credential stuffing, terrorist attacks, civil unrest, military conflict, supply chain attacks, or denial-of-service attacks. In addition to intentional third-party cybersecurity breaches, the integrity and confidentiality of Company and customer data may be compromised as a result of human error, fraud or malice on the part of our employees or third parties, product defects, software bugs, programming errors, design flaws, server malfunctions, software or hardware failure or other technological failures, or bad weather or natural disasters. Such threats are evolving, may be difficult for long periods of time, and may see their frequency increased and effectiveness enhanced by the use of AI. Any integration of AI in our or any third-party providers' operations, products or services is expected to pose new or unknown cybersecurity risks and challenges. Further, cybersecurity risks may be heightened in connection with ongoing global conflicts such as the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the military conflict between Israel and Hamas. Cybersecurity breaches, whether successful or unsuccessful, and other IT system or network interruptions, including those resulting from human error and technological failures, could result in us incurring significant costs related to, for example, rebuilding internal systems, reduced inventory value, providing modifications to our products and services, defending against litigation, responding to regulatory inquiries or actions, paying damages, or taking other remedial steps with respect to third parties.
Our IT infrastructure is currently managed by a third party Managed Services Provider ("MSP"). While we regularly review the cybersecurity tools and other security protection provided by this MSP, and this MSP regularly runs intrusion and other security tests on services provided to us, there can be no guarantee that a failure or breach of such systems will not occur. While we generally perform cybersecurity diligence on our other key service providers, we do not control our service providers and our ability to monitor their cybersecurity is limited. Some of our service providers may store or have access to our data and may not have effective controls, processes, or practices to protect our information from loss, unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized use or misappropriation or cybersecurity breaches. A vulnerability in our service providers' software or systems, a failure of our service providers' safeguards, policies or procedures, or a cybersecurity breach affecting any of these third parties could harm our business.
We operate a few IT systems throughout our business that could fail for a variety of reasons, including the threats of unauthorized intrusions and attackers and any other known or unknown threats described above. If such failures were to occur, we may not be able to sufficiently recover to avoid the loss of data or any adverse impact on our operations that are dependent on such IT systems. This could result in lost sales as we may not be able to meet the demands for our product.
Furthermore, because our IT systems are essential for the exchange of information both internally and in communicating with third parties, including our suppliers and manufacturers, cybersecurity breaches and other failures or interruptions to our systems, products or networks could potentially lead to the unauthorized access to or release of sensitive, confidential, proprietary or personal data or information or intellectual property, improper use of our systems, or, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information or defective products. If these cybersecurity breaches continue, our operations and ability to communicate both internally and with third parties may be negatively impacted. Additionally, if we try to remediate our cybersecurity problems, we could face significant unplanned costs or capital investments and any damage or interruption could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additionally, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will be adequate for data security liabilities actually incurred, that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that our insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim.