What is a Data Breach?
A Data Breach is a security violation in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen or used by an unauthorized individual. These breaches can be caused by outside attackers or within an organization.
Typically, these incidents affect businesses of all sizes and industries. They can lead to legal penalties, financial losses and reputation damage with customers and employees.
How Data Is Leaked
According to the 2019 Verizon 2022 “Data Breach Investigations Report,” 88 percent of breaches involve some type of theft or leak. The biggest types of stolen data are personally identifiable information (PII) and financial data.
In some cases, the data breach is a result of an insider’s negligence or mistake. This can include the loss of a laptop in a hotel lobby or the unintended disclosure of sensitive information posted on your company’s website.
The 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report outlines nine “patterns” criminals use to steal data. These patterns mostly remain consistent year after year and accounted for the majority of breaches reported in 2019.
Preventing Data Breaches
A data breach is an attack on sensitive or protected information that occurs when a company or individual accidentally exposes it to the public, or someone outside the company gains access to it. These breaches can be prevented by implementing robust security and maintaining it regularly.
The most important thing to do after a data breach is notify all affected individuals. Providing timely notifications will help limit the damage and protect your company’s reputation.