The recent string of hacking incidents at telecommunication companies is fueling public anxiety, yet the attitude of the telcos towards these attacks is a more severe problem than the cyberattacks themselves. Despite their status as a public good responsible for critical national infrastructure, their tendency to conceal facts, evade responsibility, and focus solely on profit calculations is reminiscent of 'Pinocchio', the character from the fairy tale who consistently tells lies.
The True Face of Truth Concealment and Responsibility Evasion
KT's recent response starkly illustrates this 'Pinocchio-like' behavior. Even after the Ministry of Science and ICT announced it was investigating a potential security breach, KT denied, "There is no actual breach." Following an unauthorized small-sum payment incident, they stalled by insisting, "No personal information was leaked," but it was later confirmed that 5,561 subscribers' International Mobile Subscriber Identifiers (IMSI) were potentially compromised.
Furthermore, KT initially refused a request from the Korea Internet Security Agency (KISA) for data submission, claiming they had "already disposed of the server." However, some servers were discarded after the request deadline, and backup data still existed, leading to controversy over false reporting. Just as Pinocchio's nose grew with every lie, making it impossible to hide, the telco's concealment and excuses ultimately crumbled before the truth. The moment a crisis is covered up with a lie, trust vanishes, leaving only the elongated 'nose' behind.
Trust Cannot Be Built on Lies
It may be impossible to completely block all cyberattacks. However, the company's attitude after a crisis is entirely a matter of choice: Will they hide the facts and offer excuses, or will they honestly disclose the situation and work towards restoring trust? The telco's choice in this incident was, regrettably, closer to the former. A shield built on lies does not last long and ultimately destroys the company's own credibility.
Telecommunication companies are more than just private enterprises pursuing profit. They are public entities that hold the nation's critical network and manage the "arteries" of people's lives. When a security incident occurs, their minimal duty is to transparently disclose the facts as they are and responsibly present measures to minimize damage.
Just as Pinocchio only became human when he abandoned lies and embraced responsibility and sincerity, telecommunication companies must also choose the truth and restore transparency. Trust cannot be built on lies. The 'Pinocchio's Nose' that grows with deceit must no longer be tolerated. Telecommunication companies stand at a critical juncture where they must regain the public's trust and be reborn as responsible stewards of the national critical infrastructure.
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