We rely on the efficient, uninterrupted and uncompromised operation of complex information technology systems and networks (and those of third parties) to operate our business. Any significant disruption to or other compromise of our systems, networks or data (or those of third parties upon whom we rely), including, but not limited to, due to new system implementations, computer viruses, social-engineering attacks, personnel (including former personnel) misconduct or error, supply-chain attacks, ransomware attacks, software bugs, software or hardware failure, security breaches, facility issues, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication failures, energy blackouts, loss, theft or similar threats, could have a material adverse impact on our operations, sales, and financial results. Such disruption or other compromise could result in a loss of our intellectual property or the release of sensitive competitive information or supplier, customer, personnel or other relevant stakeholder's personal data. Additionally, future or past business transactions (such as acquisitions or integrations) could expose us to additional cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, as our systems could be negatively affected by vulnerabilities present in acquired or integrated entities' systems and technologies. Furthermore, we may discover security issues that were not found during due diligence of such acquired or integrated entities, and it may be difficult to integrate companies into our information technology environment and security program. Any loss of such information could harm our competitive position, result in a loss of customer confidence, result in breaches of applicable obligations (such as laws and contracts) and cause us to incur significant costs to remedy the damages caused by any such disruptions or security breaches. Additionally, any failure to properly manage the collection, handling, transfer, or disposal of personal data of employees and customers may result in regulatory penalties, bans on processing personal data or orders not to use or destroy data, enforcement actions, remediation obligations, litigation, fines, and other actions.
We may experience attacks on our data and/or information systems, attempts to breach our security and attempts to introduce malicious software into our IT systems. Such threats are prevalent and continue to rise, are increasingly difficult to detect, and come from a variety of sources. During times of war and other major conflicts, we and the third parties upon which we rely may be vulnerable to a heightened risk of these attacks. If attacks are successful, we may be unaware of the incident, its magnitude, or its effects until significant harm is done. Any such attack or disruption could result in additional costs related to rebuilding of our internal systems, defending litigation, responding to regulatory actions, or paying damages. Such attacks or disruptions could have a material adverse impact on our business, operations, and financial results. Attempts to gain unauthorized access to our IT systems or other attacks have in the past, in certain instances and to certain degrees, been successful (but have not caused significant harm), and may in the future be successful, and in some cases, we might be unaware of an incident or its magnitude and effects.
Third-party service providers, such as wafer foundries, assembly and test contractors, distributors and other vendors have access to certain portions of our and our customers' sensitive data. Our ability to monitor these third parties' information security practices is limited, and these third parties may not have adequate information security measures in place. In the event that these service providers do not properly safeguard the data that they hold, security breaches and loss of data could result. Any such loss of data by our third-party service providers could negatively impact our business, operations, and financial results, as well as our relationship with our customers.
While we have implemented security measures designed to protect against security incidents, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective. We take steps designed to detect, mitigate, and remediate vulnerabilities in our information systems (such as our hardware and/or software, including that of third parties upon which we rely). We may not, however, detect and remediate all such vulnerabilities including on a timely and effective basis. Further, we may experience delays in developing and deploying remedial measures and patches designed to address identified vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities could be exploited and result in a security incident.
We may expend significant resources or modify our business activities to try to protect against security incidents. Additionally, certain data privacy and security obligations may require us to implement and maintain specific security measures or industry-standard or reasonable security measures to protect our information technology systems and sensitive data.