Data Leak vs Data Breach. Differences Explained
Both concepts refer to unauthorized access to sensitive data but the difference lies in how they occur.
Commonly referred to when exposed sensitive data is not necessarily a consequence of an external attack, Data Leaks are often times the result of internal human actions or processes flaws. While the result remains the same, the outside exposure it’s done unknowingly or intentionally from the inside. Common causes for data leaks include poorly access management, poor security on application development, unattended confidential information, whistle-blower employees’ reactions, etc.,. While the root cause can be identified, the level of exposure including starting time, is often times impossible to determine. Data Leaks examples could be: a cloud storage configured for public access enabling anyone to view confidential documents or staff unintentionally emailing to a personal email account a spreadsheet containing sensitive data.
In contrast, Data Breaches happen when sensitive data is exposed by external factors as a result of deliberate cyberattacks with the explicit intention of compromising the organization’s network and data. Phishing, DdoS, lost or stolen hardware are common causes of data breaches. Unlike data leaks, data breaches involve uncontrollable external exposure to the mass audience. Among the biggest data breaches recorded so far, some include billions of records of personal information.
The response to a data leak and a data breach differs significantly in urgency and approach. In the case of a data leak, organizations typically focus on improving their data management practices and providing additional training for employees to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This proactive approach aims to address the underlying issues that led to the leak, fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility regarding data handling. Conversely, a data breach necessitates immediate and decisive action. Organizations must promptly notify affected individuals, undergo thorough investigations to understand the extent of the breach, and implement enhanced security measures to safeguard against future attacks. This reactive response is critical to mitigating potential damage and restoring trust among stakeholders.
Regardless of how it occurs, if data is compromised both Data Leaks and Data Breaches are equally dangerous for the users as well as for the companies. Account takeover and identity theft are only two of the worse outcome case scenarios. Remember, time is of the essence so use all available resources, take the appropriate measures, limit the impact and avoid the data leak becoming a data breach.