A data leak occurs when sensitive information is exposed to third parties due to poor security or misconfiguration. Unlike data breaches, which involve malicious actors exploiting vulnerabilities, the majority of data leaks are accidental and the result of mistakes or oversights in an organization’s IT infrastructure.
This type of cybersecurity incident can expose sensitive and confidential data to unauthorized users, which may lead to identity theft, financial loss and reputational damage. It is crucial for businesses to invest in preventative measures, such as regular security audits and a robust data security framework, to ensure that sensitive information is not inadvertently exposed.
Personal information
This includes a person’s full name, email addresses, social security numbers and date of birth, which can be used to steal their identity or commit financial fraud. For example, a full name can be used to open new credit cards, obtain fraudulent loans and make unauthorized purchases.
Trade secrets and intellectual property
This category of data is highly guarded by companies as it can put their competitive edge at risk. The exposure of this information can hamstring company projects, give competitors insight into business operations and reveal internal culture and personalities.
The leaking of this type of sensitive data can also lead to regulatory fines and legal action. For example, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office imposed a £180,000 fine on Volkswagen in 2021 for sharing confidential technical data with third parties. It was alleged that the data was used to develop autonomous driving systems.