Data Breach definition in Cybersecurity

A data breach occurs when sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed, disclosed, or taken without authorization. This can include personal information such as social security numbers, credit card details, health records, and other private data. Data breaches can happen through various means, including hacking, insider leaks, or negligence.

Notable Incidents

1. Equifax (2017): A major credit bureau, Equifax, experienced a data breach affecting over 147 million people, exposing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and birth dates. Wikipedia
2. Yahoo (2013-2014): Yahoo disclosed that all 3 billion accounts were affected by a data breach in 2013, making it one of the largest breaches in history. Information stolen included names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and security questions and answers. Wikipedia

How to Protect Your Network against Data Breaches

1. Implement strong data encryption: Encrypting data at rest and in transit can help protect it from unauthorized access, even if a breach occurs.
2. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning: Regularly auditing your systems for vulnerabilities and fixing them promptly can prevent many types of data breaches.
3. Educate employees: Many data breaches start with phishing or social engineering attacks. Educating employees on recognizing and responding to these threats can significantly reduce risk.