A data leak happens when sensitive information is unintentionally exposed outside of its intended environment. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including internal human error, software vulnerabilities, or poor data security measures. It can result in financial losses, legal implications, and loss of trust among customers.
Data leaks can involve any type of sensitive information, from financial records and customer data to proprietary research and intellectual property. It could also include passwords and other credentials, such as usernames and security questions. It can also include confidential business information like current product inventory, sales data, and other company-related information. It could also be confidential employee information, such as personal data and medical records. Finally, it could be critical information for a nation or region such as military operations, political dealings, or details on essential national infrastructure.
What makes a data leak different from a data breach?
While a data breach involves unauthorized access, acquisition, or exposure of sensitive information, a data leak is more often the result of negligence and oversight. It can occur from human error or software or hardware vulnerabilities. It may also be caused by misconfigurations, such as when a public cloud storage space is set up to allow anyone to view data without proper configuration.
Many of the causes of a data leak are avoidable with proper training and preventative strategies. Regularly updating software, patching security holes, and avoiding the use of outdated hardware can all reduce the likelihood of an incident. Encryption can also help, as it keeps data secure even if a breach does occur.
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