What is a security breach?

A security incident is any incident that results in unauthorized access to digital data, applications, networks, or devices. As a result of such an incident, information is accessed by those for whom it was not intended. As a rule, this happens if the attacker manages to bypass security mechanisms.

Technically, there is a difference between a security breach and a data leak. A security breach can be compared to trespassing on someone else’s territory, while a data breach means that the cybercriminal took out some information. Imagine a burglar: when he comes through a window in your house, it is a security breach; when he hides with your laptop, it is a data breach.

Types of security breaches.

There are several types of security breaches, depending on how the system was accessed:

• Attacks on system vulnerabilities, such as an outdated OS, using exploits. Older systems, such as those in companies using outdated and no longer supported versions of Microsoft Windows, are particularly vulnerable to this type of attack.
• Cracking or cracking weak passwords. Even nowadays, many people use such primitive passwords as ‘password’ (or ‘pa$$word’, which is not very strong).
• Malware attacks, such as phishing emails, are also often used to gain access. All it takes is for one employee to click on a link in an email and the malware begins to spread across the network.
• Stealth download infections – delivering viruses or malware through a compromised or fake website.
• Social engineering is also often used to gain access. For example, an intruder might call a potential victim, introduce himself as an employee of a company’s IT department, and ask for his password, supposedly to fix a computer malfunction.