Data breach
Also known as: breach notification, cyber incident, data leak, information breach, personal data breach, privacy breach, security breach
In plain language
When personal data is lost, exposed, changed, or accessed by someone who shouldn't see it — whether by accident or attack.
For example
A stolen laptop with unencrypted patient records; an email sent to the wrong list.
Go deeper
A personal-data breach is a security failure that leads to personal data being lost, destroyed, changed, disclosed or accessed without proper authority. It can result from a cyberattack, mistake, lost device, misdirected message or supplier incident. Not every security incident is a personal-data breach, but every suspected breach should be assessed promptly under the applicable jurisdiction.
Learn more: read the full articleEducation, not legal advice.