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A data breach is the result of any event that exposes confidential, private, or protected information to unauthorized parties. It can happen accidentally or intentionally and can affect a company’s reputation. It’s important to understand the different types of breaches so you can take appropriate action to mitigate the risk.

A breach can be the result of an attack on a company network, human error or negligence, or flaws and vulnerabilities in an organization’s infrastructure. An attacker can steal data to commit fraud, or it may be used for other malicious purposes such as identity theft and ransomware.

Breaches can also occur when physical devices containing sensitive information are stolen or lost, or when personal data is exposed by insecure web applications and APIs. These attacks often use methods such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting to bypass security controls and gain access to databases containing private information.

Individuals can suffer significant harm when their personal information is compromised. For example, someone who suffers a breach can lose their bank account information, medical records, Social Security number, or email address. Criminals can then steal that person’s identity, ruin their credit rating, and drain their bank accounts.

When you experience a breach, it’s important to act quickly. Start by contacting a data forensics team. They’ll capture forensic images of affected systems, investigate the source and scope of the breach, and document remediation steps. You should also consider hiring outside legal counsel with privacy and data security expertise. They can advise on federal and state laws affecting the definition of a data breach, notification requirements, and whether or not encryption safe harbors apply.