"data breach" vs "data leakage"

Question

"data breach" vs "data leakage"

Both 'data leakage' and 'data breach' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Data leakage' refers to the unauthorized transmission of data from within an organization to an external destination, while 'data breach' is a broader term that encompasses any situation where sensitive or confidential information is accessed, disclosed, or stolen without authorization.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

Use 'data breach' as a broader term that encompasses any situation where sensitive or confidential information is accessed, disclosed, or stolen without authorization.

Examples:

The data breach compromised millions of customer records.
In the event of a data breach, immediate action must be taken to secure the data.
Data breaches can have serious legal and financial consequences.
The company's reputation was tarnished by the data breach.
Customers were notified of the data breach and advised to change their passwords.

Alternatives:

security breach
information breach
privacy breach
confidentiality breach
data security incident

Use 'data leakage' to refer to the unauthorized transmission of data from within an organization to an external destination.

Examples:

The company experienced data leakage when sensitive information was sent to a competitor.
Data leakage can result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Preventing data leakage is a top priority for many organizations.
The IT team is investigating the source of the data leakage.
Employees were trained on how to prevent data leakage.

Alternatives:

data loss
data exposure
information leakage
information breach
confidential data leakage

Answer 1

data breach

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to any situation where sensitive or confidential information is accessed, disclosed, or stolen without authorization.

Answer 2

data leakage

This phrase is correct and commonly used in the context of unauthorized transmission of data from within an organization to an external destination.

"data breach" vs "data leakage"

data breach

data leakage

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