What is defined as a security breach?

A security breach is fundamentally defined as an incident where unauthorized access is gained to sensitive data, which can lead to the exposure or theft of information. This definition emphasizes the aspect of unauthorized access, which distinguishes a breach from other security incidents. While other situations like data loss, failures in security protocols, and accidental deletions may indicate security problems, they do not inherently involve the unauthorized access of sensitive information.

Unauthorized access is a critical component because it implies that individuals without proper permissions have interacted with the data, which can lead to various repercussions, including identity theft, financial fraud, and violation of regulations. In the context of cybersecurity, a breach typically necessitates incident response and remediation efforts, highlighting the severity of unauthorized access as a significant security concern.