What is a Data Breach?

A data breach is a security incident in which sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed, disclosed, or extracted from a system or database without the knowledge or authorization of the data owner. This can occur when cybercriminals hack into a system or network, or when an insider with access to the data misuses it. Data breaches can expose sensitive information such as personal identification numbers, financial account information, medical records, and trade secrets, and can have serious consequences for individuals, organizations, and governments.