data breach

USAGE SUMMARY

"data breach" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to unauthorized access to, or release of, sensitive or confidential data. For example: "The company had a data breach, which resulted in the personal information of many of their customers being exposed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Data breach.

The New York Times

Massive data breach at @Marriott.

The Washington Post

Among other recent data breach victims?

The Washington Post

The data breach offered the opposition new ammunition.

The New York Times

"There's very little chance of a data breach.

The Guardian - Sport

P6 UKTV sacks executive after data breach from Ofcom.

The Guardian

An insider data breach would be very harmful.

The Guardian - Tech

One is when the data breach actually occurred.

University of California, Berkeley

There are several milestones in the data breach timeline.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

(See: "Inside the Year's Biggest Data Breach").

Forbes

See Also: Inside The Year's Biggest Data Breach.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "data breach", be specific about the type of data compromised and the potential impact on affected parties.

Common error

Avoid assuming all "data breaches" are equal; the severity varies based on the sensitivity and quantity of the data exposed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data breach" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in referring to security incidents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "data breach" is a commonly used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, referring to incidents where sensitive data is compromised. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it serves to inform and discuss such security failures. While grammatically straightforward, the impact and scope of a "data breach" can vary significantly, requiring careful consideration of the context in which it is used. Remember to specify the type of data and potential impact when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "security incident" or "information leak" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

security breach

A more general term indicating a failure in security measures.

information leak

Highlights the aspect of information being exposed, often unintentionally.

data exposure

Emphasizes that sensitive information has been revealed or made accessible.

security incident

Focuses on the broader aspect of security compromise rather than specifically data.

cybersecurity incident

Highlights the involvement of cyber elements in the occurrence.

leak of confidential information

Highlights the exposure of sensitive and private details.

privacy violation

Emphasizes the infringement of privacy rights due to the incident.

compromised data

Stresses the fact that the data is no longer secure.

unauthorized access

Focuses on the illegitimate entry into a system or database.

system intrusion

Highlights the unauthorized entry into a computer system.

FAQs

How do I describe the impact of a "data breach"?

The impact of a "data breach" can be described in terms of financial losses, reputational damage, legal liabilities, and the compromise of personal information.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "data breach"?

You can use alternatives like "security incident", "information leak", or "privacy violation" depending on the specific context.

What steps should I take if I suspect a "data breach" has occurred?

Immediately investigate the incident, contain the breach, notify affected parties, and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

What is the difference between a "data breach" and a "security breach"?

A "data breach" specifically involves the unauthorized access or disclosure of data, whereas a "security breach" is a broader term that encompasses any security violation, including physical breaches or malware infections.