The sample breach notification linked below is an example of how economic and social science theories can collide in the world of cybersecurity.

For example: in the world of economics, the Laissez-faire economic theory says that, “the government should not intervene in the economy except to protect individual’s inalienable rights.” The existence of this letter, which is a required form of notification of a data breach according to most states in the U.S., shows the government’s intervention on behalf of the citizens right to privacy. Or, the rational choice theory which states that individuals/businesses make choices in their best interest. In the letter, the company’s use of a third-party platform provider, the delayed reporting, and the way minimum assistance is offered to victims is all in the best interest of the company vice the consumer.

According to the social science theory of functionalism, mental states are identified by what they do rather than by what they are made of. Applied to the sample notification letter, the information contained in the letter is not positive, but the letter is because the company is recovering, there are resources for the consumer, and the investigation into the breach seemed to be concluded. Or the theory of postmodernism, which “relies on concrete experience over abstract principles, knowing always that the outcome of one’s own experience will necessarily be fallible and relative, rather than certain and universal.” Postmodernism is seen in the letter under the headings of, “What Information Was Involved?”, “What You Can Do?”, and For More Information.” To elaborate, the company provides the information to the consumer and makes recommendations, allowing individuals to use their own experience to shape their own destiny.

https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/Glasswasherparts.com_.pdf