What term is used for unauthorized access to confidential information?

The term "data breach" specifically refers to an incident in which unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential information, leading to potential exposure, theft, or compromise of that data. This can occur through various means, such as hacking, phishing attacks, or physical theft of devices containing sensitive information. The key characteristic of a data breach is that it results in a violation of the confidentiality and integrity of the data, making it critical for organizations to implement robust security measures to protect against such events.

In contrast, while "data leak" may seem similar, it generally describes the unintended disclosure of confidential information, often without malicious intent. "Data destruction" refers to the intentional deletion or damaging of data, which is different from unauthorized access. "Data corruption" deals with the loss of data integrity, where data becomes erroneous or unusable, which again does not focus on unauthorized access. The specific implications of a data breach highlight the need for organizations to maintain rigorous security protocols to guard against unauthorized access to sensitive information.