A data breach involves access to or destruction, modification or release of personal data at an organization without this being the intention of this organization. A data breach therefore does not only include the release (leakage) of data, but also unlawful processing of data.
We speak of a data breach if there is a breach of the security of personal data (as referred to in Article 13 of the Personal Data Protection Act). In the event of a data breach, the personal data is exposed to loss or unlawful processing - in other words, to what the security measures must protect against.
Examples of data leaks
Examples of data leaks are: a lost USB stick with personal data, a stolen laptop or a break-in in a data file by a hacker.