"It's just a matter of time."

That's essentially what CEO of cyber-security company, Dispersive Technologies, Robert Twitchell told the International Business Times last week. The U.S. Department of Defense consultant was referring to consumer data breaches at retailers this holiday season. Last season, the most prominent breach was when 40 million Target customers' credit and debit card information were stolen. The fiasco culminated in the company's CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, resigning.

Between then and now, large and small retailers and banks around the country have experienced a cumulative total of 644 breaches, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Despite that, shoppers at stores like Target an Home Depot are returning, as evidence by an increase in sales at both companies. 

As Black Friday and the holiday shopping season fast approach, security experts worry that another round of attacks could compromise personal information for millions of shoppers. Consumers, however, may be willing to take their chances.