What is the unauthorized exposure of data called?

The unauthorized exposure of data is referred to as a data breach. This term specifically denotes an incident where sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed or disclosed without authorization. Data breaches can result from various factors, including cyberattacks, system vulnerabilities, and human error, leading to significant risks such as identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage for individuals and organizations.

In contrast, other terms represent different concepts. For instance, account hijacking typically refers to the unauthorized access of a user’s account, usually through compromised credentials. Data loss involves the inability to retrieve data, which can occur due to accidental deletion or system failures, but it does not specifically imply that the data has been exposed to unauthorized entities. Lastly, data access simply refers to the ability to view or use data; it does not carry the implication of unauthorized exposure. Thus, the identification of a data breach highlights the risk posed by unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive information.