What is defined as a data breach?

A data breach is specifically defined as an incident of unauthorized data access. This can occur when sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed or disclosed without proper permission or authorization. Data breaches can lead to adverse consequences for individuals and organizations, including identity theft, financial loss, and damage to reputation.

The focus is on the unauthorized access aspect, which distinguishes it from general security incidents. While network outages, malware installations, and power losses can lead to security vulnerabilities or system failures, they do not inherently involve unauthorized access to data. Understanding this concept is critical in the field of cybersecurity, as it helps in identifying and managing risks associated with data loss and exposure.