data leaks
Unauthorized data exposure
Data leaks are unauthorized releases of confidential information—whether through security breaches, employee negligence, or system vulnerabilities.
Unlike deliberate hacks, leaks often happen accidentally: misconfigured databases, lost devices, or emails sent to wrong recipients.
The data leak exposed millions of customer records.
Companies face legal and reputational consequences when sensitive data leaks to the public or competitors.
Covert withdrawal of people/data
- exposureState of being unprotected
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- unauthorized accessEntry without permission
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
compromise · intrusion · incident · detection · notification · containment · remediation · investigation
Act of revealing information
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- insiderOne with confidential access
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- transparencyState of being see-through
accountability · expose · journalism · public interest · retaliation · WikiLeaks · Snowden · Panama Papers
Identifying details about someone
- PIIIdentity-revealing information
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- GDPREU data protection law
- HIPAAMedical privacy statute
consent · anonymization · surveillance · tracking · profiling · right to be forgotten · privacy violation · confidentiality
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
botnet · rootkit · exploit · backdoor · zero-day · cyberattack · brute force · credential stuffing
Incorrect system setup
- unpatchedMissing corrective updates
- cloud storageOnline data preservation service
- open portUnrestricted maritime entry point
- access controlsRestrictions on entry rights
weak passwords · insider threat · human error · supply chain · legacy systems · unprotected · exploitable
Limiting further harm
- credit monitoringTracking lending reputation changes
- identity protectionMeasures preventing personal fraud
- class actionLawsuit filed for many
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
public disclosure · transparency · accountability · remediation · patching · compliance · legal liability
exfiltration
Covert withdrawal of people/data
- exposureState of being unprotected
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- unauthorized accessEntry without permission
infiltration · compromise · intrusion · incident · detection · notification · containment · remediation · investigation · forensics
disclosure
Act of revealing information
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- insiderOne with confidential access
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
transparency · accountability · expose · journalism · public interest · retaliation · WikiLeaks · Snowden · Panama Papers · confidential source
personal information
Identifying details about someone
- PIIIdentity-revealing information
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- GDPREU data protection law
HIPAA · consent · anonymization · surveillance · tracking · profiling · right to be forgotten · privacy violation · confidentiality · biometrics
phishing
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
keylogger · botnet · rootkit · exploit · backdoor · zero-day · cyberattack · brute force · credential stuffing · man-in-the-middle
misconfiguration
Incorrect system setup
- unpatchedMissing corrective updates
- cloud storageOnline data preservation service
- open portUnrestricted maritime entry point
weak passwords · access controls · insider threat · human error · supply chain · legacy systems · unprotected · exploitable
damage control
Limiting further harm
- credit monitoringTracking lending reputation changes
- identity protectionMeasures preventing personal fraud
- class actionLawsuit filed for many
settlement · public disclosure · transparency · accountability · remediation · patching · compliance · legal liability
- privacyprivacy, private, seclusion, confidentiality, solitude
- Cyberthreatsmalware, phishing, ransomware, hacking, viruses
- Online Activismhashtag activism, online petitions, social media activism, clicktivism, slacktivism
data leaksdata protection
Securing sensitive information
data security · information security · confidentiality · data integrity · cybersecurity