data breach
Definition
An incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive, protected, or confidential information stored in a digital system, often resulting in data exposure, theft, or compromise.
A security violation in which personal, financial, or corporate data is accessed, copied, or stolen without permission, typically due to vulnerabilities in cybersecurity measures.
The unauthorized release or acquisition of data from a computer system, leading to potential identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.
Examples
The company's data breach turned their customer database into a hacker's all-you-can-eat buffet.
After the data breach, even the intern's fantasy football picks were trending on the dark web.
She shrugged off the data breach news, joking that her passwords were so outdated, the hackers probably quit in frustration.
The data breach exposed everyone's middle names, proving once again that Karen is suspiciously common.