Two days after discovering “unusual activity” that could signal a data breach, Home Depot was still investigating late Thursday the possibility of a security hack.

In his first public statements on the matter, CEO Frank Blake told a Goldman Sachs conference Thursday that the company had two choices after learning it may have been breached: wait to discuss what may have happened or get the facts out as they become available.

“We chose the latter path,” Blake told attendees.

But no new light was shed on Home Depot’s investigation Thursday, including how close the company is to a conclusion. The Atlanta-based home improvement giant said Wednesday IT firms helping in the investigation include Symantec and FishNet Security.

If Home Depot experienced a data breach, it could be bigger than the one experienced during the holidays last year at retailer Target, security experts said. Home Depot is a larger company with more stores. Target reported that its breach cost the company an estimated $148 million.

Home Depot told customers they would not be responsible for charges made on their credit cards if a breach is confirmed, and that it would pay for customer credit monitoring if there was a breach.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A man makes a phone call in front of a train during Tracks of Hope, an event hosted by Norfolk Southern in support of Hope Atlanta, in Forest Park, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Norfolk Southern opened its executive vintage business train, typically reserved for company leadership and dignitaries, to the public in support of Hope Atlanta. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

Rose Scott signals as "Closer Look" goes on the air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray for the AJC 2023)

Credit: Ben Gray