Data Breach
/ˈdeɪtə briːtʃ/
Definitions
- (n.) An incident where unauthorized access to or disclosure of sensitive, protected, or confidential data occurs.
The company suffered a data breach that exposed customer information.
- (n.) A violation of data security policies or laws resulting in loss or compromise of data integrity, confidentiality, or availability.
Regulators impose fines following a data breach affecting consumer privacy.
Forms
- data breaches
Related terms
See also
Commentary
The term commonly refers to both accidental and intentional unauthorized data disclosures; legal definitions may differ slightly by jurisdiction and context.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.