We rely extensively on our information technology systems, some of which are managed by third-party service providers, to manage the data, communications and business processes for all of our functions, including our marketing, sales (including e-commerce), manufacturing, logistics, customer service, accounting and administrative functions. These systems include programs and processes relating to internal communications and communications with other parties, ordering and managing materials from suppliers, converting materials to finished products, marketing and selling products to customers (including through e-commerce channels), customer order entry and order fulfillment, shipping product to customers, billing customers and receiving and applying payment, processing transactions, summarizing and reporting results of operations, complying with regulatory, legal and tax requirements, collecting and storing customer, consumer, employee, investor and other stakeholder information and personal data and other processes necessary to manage the Company's business.
We and certain of our suppliers and customers have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to malware, computer viruses, computer hacking, attempted acts of data theft, phishing, other cyber-attacks and employee error or malfeasance related to information technology systems. We do not believe that any of these attacks or events has had a material adverse impact on our business, but future attacks could result in a serious information security breach and have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated computer crime, including advanced persistent threats, pose a potential risk to the security of the information technology systems, networks and services of the Company, its customers and business partners, as well as the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the data of the Company, its customers and business partners. As a result, the Company's information technology systems, networks or service providers could be damaged or cease to function properly or the Company could suffer a loss or disclosure of business, personal or stakeholder information, due to any number of causes, including system disruptions, catastrophic events, power outages, cyber-attacks and security breaches. To help guard against these possibilities, the Company provides quarterly employee security training and maintains a compliance program with updated security policies to help evaluate and address potential threats and attacks. The Company has also conducted regular security audits by an outside firm based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology ("NIST") standards to address any potential service interruptions or vulnerabilities. Management regularly reports to the Company's Board on information security risks and audit results. The Company has implemented a comprehensive Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan designed to promptly identify, assess, and respond to potential cybersecurity threats and incidents. This plan includes a structured escalation matrix that defines incident severity levels and corresponding response protocols. In accordance with the plan, material cybersecurity matters are escalated to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Further, the Company has implemented continuity and recovery plans in the event of a disruption. However, if these plans do not provide effective protection, the Company may suffer interruptions in its ability to manage or conduct its operations, including in all of the Company's functions described above, which may adversely affect its business and results of operations. The Company maintains security risk insurance in the event of a cybersecurity breach or incident; however, the coverage may not be sufficient to cover all losses. The Company may need to expend additional resources in the future to continue to protect against, or to address problems caused by, any business interruptions or data security breaches.
Any breach of our data security, including the failure to maintain the security of confidential data and information or the misappropriation of such confidential data and information, could result in an unauthorized release or transfer of customer, consumer, user or employee information, or the loss of valuable business data or cause a disruption in our business. These events could give rise to unwanted media attention, damage our reputation, damage our customer, consumer or user relationships, and result in lost sales, fines, lawsuits, remediation costs, or otherwise adversely impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition. We may also be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against or respond to or alleviate problems caused by a security breach.
As we conduct our operations, we move data across national borders, and consequently we are subject to a variety of continuously evolving and developing laws and regulations in the United States and abroad regarding privacy, data protection and data security. The scope of the laws that may be applicable to us is often uncertain and may be conflicting. Numerous local, municipal, state, federal and international law and regulations address privacy and security including but not limited to the California Online Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, and the California Consumer Privacy Act. These privacy and security laws and regulations change frequently, and new legislation continues to be introduced, with over a dozen U.S. states having adopted privacy laws. In Europe, the European Union's ("EU") General Data Protection Regulation (the "GDPR") greatly increases the jurisdictional reach of EU law and adds a broad array of requirements for handling personal data, including the public disclosure of significant data breaches. In addition, it is important to note that many countries are following the EU in producing a broad omnibus law in relation to privacy protection. We may not be able to comply with all of these evolving compliance and operational requirements and to do so may impose significant costs that are likely to increase over time.
In addition, the rapid evolution and growing adoption of artificial intelligence ("AI") and machine learning technologies presents emerging risks to the security of our information, as well as the information of our customers and business partners. As with cybersecurity risks, the use of AI by our employees, or by our customers and business partners, could result in the loss or unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.
In addition to our existing business continuity and incident response plans, which are designed to address cybersecurity incidents, the Company has implemented an internal AI policy. This policy restricts the use of AI technologies by requiring employees to obtain prior approval from the Company's Vice President of Information Technology, in order to evaluate any potential security, compliance, or operational risks. Nonetheless, the use of AI by our employees, suppliers and customers could expose our confidential information or those of our stakeholders, which could have a material adverse impact on our business reputation. At this time, the Company has no immediate plans to launch proprietary AI tools. In the medium term, we may explore the use of AI-powered tools for our employees and features on our websites to assist customers with inquiries related to our products.