What is a data breach?

A data breach is defined as an incident where there is unauthorized access to data, which can lead to sensitive, protected, or confidential information being exposed. Such episodes often involve hackers or malicious attackers circumventing security measures to gain access to personal data, financial information, or proprietary company data. Understanding this definition is critical for those involved in data management and security because it highlights the importance of protecting data against unauthorized access, which could have significant legal, financial, and reputational repercussions for affected organizations.

In contrast, other options do not capture the essence of what a data breach entails. A routine audit of data access focuses on examining who has accessed data and when, which falls within the realm of monitoring and compliance, rather than indicating a breach. Enhancing data security is more about proactive measures taken to safeguard information rather than an event of unauthorized access. Lastly, a report on data usage pertains to the documentation and analysis of how data is utilized, which again does not relate to the unauthorized access that defines a breach.