In all the debate over the leaks of highly-sensitive security information by Edward J. Snowden, a National Security Agency contract employee, one glaring fact is being largely overlooked: The leaks have caused, and will continue to cause, serious damage to U.S. businesses, large and small. The damage is both direct and immediate, and indirect with the quantifiable effects most likely never known.
In this article, I do not discuss whether Snowden is a hero or a traitor, or something in between, nor do I address the important issue of how this particular individual had access to such sensitive national security information in the first place. What I do discuss is the nature of the information leaked, the damage the leaks have caused and will continue to cause to U.S. businesses, and what you can do about it.