Glossary definition: Notifiable data breach

Notifiable Data Breach: What You Need to Know

A notifiable data breach is an incident where there is unauthorized access to, or disclosure, of personal information, or a reasonable belief exists that such unauthorized access or disclosure has occurred. This type of breach is required to be reported to the relevant data protection authority or other regulatory body, depending on the jurisdiction in which it occurs. It can also be reported to the individuals whose data has been exposed, and to the public in some circumstances. Notifiable data breaches can occur due to a variety of reasons, including cyber-attacks, malicious insiders, human error, and system or process failures. The data involved can range from financial information and health records to intellectual property and other sensitive information. The consequences of a notifiable data breach can be significant, ranging from financial losses to reputational damage, and even regulatory fines in some cases. As such, organizations must have robust data security measures in place to protect against unauthorized access and disclosure of personal information, and they must be aware of the potential consequences of a data breach.