What is a data breach?
A data breach occurs when sensitive or personal information is accessed, disclosed or exposed to unauthorised people. This may be by accident, or the result of a security breach. For example, when an email with personal information is sent to the wrong person, or a computer system is hacked and personal information is stolen.
Organisations collect and store many personal details. You trust them with details such as your address, phone number, identification documents, credit card number, health records and more.
If your information is involved in a data breach, the potential consequences can be far reaching. Depending on the information involved, a data breach may lead to the compromise of your online accounts, including banking. The information could also be used in targeted scams and to steal your identity.
