In the cybersecurity world, few words are as tempting, or as dangerous, as "unhackable." It’s a bold promise, one designed to reassure customers and differentiate products in an increasingly crowded market. But here’s the truth: no system is truly unhackable.
From high-profile breaches of supposedly secure platforms to regulatory scrutiny over misleading claims, touting “unhackable” security doesn’t just set unrealistic expectations, it puts your reputation and business at risk.
The myth of 'unhackable'
Cybersecurity isn’t about creating an impenetrable fortress. It’s about risk management, minimizing vulnerabilities, and staying ahead of evolving threats.
Why no system is invincible
Even the most advanced systems rely on imperfect factors, which include:
- Human error: Employees remain one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. Phishing attacks, misconfigurations, and social engineering can bypass even the most robust technical safeguards.
- Zero-day vulnerabilities: Cybercriminals exploit previously unknown software flaws, which, by definition, cannot be preemptively patched.
- Evolving threats: New malware strains and attack vectors emerge daily, challenging static defenses.
- Case study: In 2024, a “secure” blockchain game application marketed as unhackable suffered a $290 million breach when attackers exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in its smart contract code (Halborn, 2024).
The consequences of overpromising
When SaaS and cybersecurity companies make unhackable claims, the fallout from a breach can be devastating.
Eroded trust
Customers rely on cybersecurity solutions to protect their most sensitive data. Overpromising and underdelivering erodes trust, potentially driving clients to competitors.
- Stat: A 2024 Deloitte survey found that 61% of businesses cited a lack of trust in vendor security claims as a barrier to renewing contracts (Deloitte, 2024).
Reputational damage
High-profile breaches often lead to public backlash, especially when a company has marketed itself as unhackable.
- Example: A tech company faced a PR crisis after hackers exploited a critical flaw in their platform despite their claims of impenetrable security. Negative headlines across tech publications led to significant customer churn.
Regulatory scrutiny and legal risks
Misleading claims about cybersecurity can attract scrutiny from regulators and lawsuits from affected customers.
- Real-world example: In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Facebook (now known as Meta) $5 billion for advertising its product as unhackable, citing deceptive marketing practices (FTC, 2019).
A smarter way to market cybersecurity
Honesty and transparency are far more effective and sustainable than sensational promises. Here is what companies can do:
Focus on realistic guarantees
Customers don’t expect perfection, they expect proactive protection and transparency.
- Better phrasing: Replace “unhackable” with language like “designed for maximum resilience” or “engineered to minimize vulnerabilities.”
Highlight proactive defenses
Instead of making blanket promises, emphasize the actionable measures your company takes to protect clients.
- Example: “We employ 24/7 threat monitoring, zero-trust architecture, and advanced encryption to safeguard your data.”
Educate your audience
Demystify cybersecurity for your customers by helping them understand the shared responsibility model.
- Actionable step: Offer resources like whitepapers, webinars, and user training guides to reduce human error and empower customers to strengthen their defenses.
Demonstrate transparency with certifications and audits
Third-party validation builds credibility and reassures customers.
- Pro tip: Highlight industry-standard certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or compliance with GDPR and CCPA to demonstrate accountability.
The bottom line
The cybersecurity landscape is dynamic, and no system is impervious to attack. Instead of overpromising with “unhackable” claims, SaaS and cybersecurity companies should focus on realistic guarantees, proactive defenses, and transparent communication.
By doing so, you’ll not only set more accurate expectations but also build lasting trust in an industry where credibility is everything.
References:
- Halborn. (2024). Explained: The PlayDapp hack – February 2024. Halborn. https://www.halborn.com/blog/post/explained-the-playdapp-hack-february-2024
- Deloitte. (2024). Increasing consumer privacy and security concerns in the generative AI era. Deloitte. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/press-releases/increasing-consumer-privacy-and-security-concerns-in-the-generative-ai-era.html
- Federal Trade Commission. (2019). FTC imposes $5 billion penalty and sweeping new privacy restrictions on Facebook. FTC. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/07/ftc-imposes-5-billion-penalty-sweeping-new-privacy-restrictions-facebook
