A data leak, also known as a data breach, is an incident in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is released, viewed, stolen or used by an individual unauthorized to do so. Data leaks may occur when a company’s security measures are not sufficient to prevent unauthorized access to its systems and data.
Data leaks can have a significant impact on individuals and organizations. For individuals, a data leak can result in identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage. For organizations, a data leak can result in financial losses, legal liability, and damage to reputation.