• $1.5B the amount the PlayStation Network data breach could cost Sony, according to analysts
• $300M the amount Sony’s data breach could cost credit card firms if consumers replace their cards
• $3-$5 the amount it would cost card companies to replace a card affected by the breach source

• » A big number, but small potatoes: The credit card industry makes a lot of money each year, and a $300 million charge, while not insignificant, is a drop in the bucket. In 2010, banks that distributed Visa and MasterCard cards — excluding American Express and Discover — made $2.12 billion in after-tax profit. So even if the potential cost is high, they could handle it.

Posted by Ernie Smith • Permalink