{"id":2624,"date":"2026-11-03T07:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T06:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enthec.com\/?p=2624"},"modified":"2026-11-03T08:16:41","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T07:16:41","slug":"security-breach-what-it-is-types-and-how-to-find-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enthec.com\/en\/security-breach-what-it-is-types-and-how-to-find-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Security breach: What it is, types and how to find it"},"content":{"rendered":"

A reused password, a vendor with access to your systems, or a misconfigured database can be all it takes for your company’s information to fall into the wrong hands. Often, the organization doesn’t realize it until the data is already circulating outside. That’s why cybersecurity tools like Kartos continuously monitor what’s exposed beyond the perimeter, so you can detect the problem before someone exploits it.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we explain what a security breach is, what types exist, how to detect it, and what the GDPR requires when it affects personal data.<\/p>\n

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What is a security breach?<\/h2>\n

A security breach occurs when an unauthorized intruder bypasses a system’s security measures and accesses protected data<\/strong>. Breaches can result from external attacks by hackers or internal actions, such as employees accessing information they don’t have permission for.
\nIn cybersecurity, a security breach can have serious consequences.\u00a0Attackers can steal individuals’ personal and sensitive data and use it for malicious purposes,\u00a0<\/strong>such as identity theft, <\/span>phishing campaigns, or financial fraud. Organizations can also suffer significant damage, such as loss of intellectual property, reputational harm, and loss of customer trust.
\nSecurity breaches can occur in any type of system or network<\/strong>, regardless of the information it contains. This includes, for example, computer networks, database systems, and mobile devices
\nWith the development of the Internet of Things (IoT)<\/strong>, even everyday devices such as refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, or thermostats can be vulnerable to security breaches.
\nDetecting a security breach is a challenge for organizations.<\/strong> Attackers often use sophisticated techniques to hide their activities so that breaches can go undetected for months or even years. For this reason, companies invest in intrusion detection technologies and tools to monitor their different attack surfaces for suspicious activity and findings.
\nOnce a breach is detected, responding quickly to neutralize or minimize the damage<\/strong> is crucial. This can involve identifying and repairing the exploited vulnerability to taking compromised systems offline and notifying any affected parties.
\nIn many cases, law also requires organizations to report their security breaches to the appropriate authorities.<\/strong>
\nYou may be interested in our publication\u2192 Information Security: 5 Best Practices to Implement in Your Company.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Cybersecurity<\/p>\n

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Security breach, data breach and incident: differences<\/b><\/h2>\n

The three terms are often used as synonyms, but they are not:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Concept<\/b><\/td>\nWhat is<\/b><\/td>\nDoes it require notification to the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD)?<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Security incident<\/b><\/td>\nAny event that threatens security, even if it does not cause harm (a blocked access attempt, malware detected in time)<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Security breach<\/b><\/td>\nIncident in which protection has failed, and information has been compromised<\/span><\/td>\nIt depends on whether personal data is involved.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal data breach<\/b><\/td>\nSecurity breach affecting personal data<\/span><\/td>\nYes, unless it is unlikely to pose a risk to your rights<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In other words,<\/span> every data breach is a security breach. However<\/b>, not every security breach affects personal data.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Types of Prominent Security Breaches<\/h2>\n

Security breaches can lead to many vulnerabilities. <\/strong>Among the highlights are:<\/p>\n

Confidentiality Breach<\/h3>\n

A confidentiality breach is a\u00a0type of security breach that occurs when data\u00a0confidentiality <\/strong><\/span>is violated<\/strong>. In\u00a0cybersecurity, confidentiality refers to maintaining the\u00a0privacy of information and<\/a><\/span>\u00a0ensuring that only authorized individuals can access it.
\nConfidentiality breaches have different causes<\/strong>. An attacker can exploit a cybersecurity system vulnerability <\/a>to access protected data, an employee can lose a device containing sensitive information, or a user can be tricked into revealing their password through a phishing attack.
\nThe consequences of a confidentiality breach<\/strong> are often severe. For an organization, it can lead to a loss of competitive advantage, reputational damage, and legal penalties for non-compliance with data protection laws such as the GDPR.<\/p>\n

Integrity Breach<\/h3>\n

An integrity breach is a specific type of security breach that occurs when the accuracy or consistency of data is altered without authorization<\/strong>. In cybersecurity, integrity means ensuring information is accurate and has not been improperly modified.
\nIntegrity breaches can result from malicious actions, <\/strong>such as a hacker attack that alters data, or from unintentional errors, such as a system failure that corrupts data.
\nWhen an integrity breach occurs, data that should be trustworthy is no longer trustworthy. Many organizations use hashing techniques and digital signatures to ensure data integrity. <\/strong>These techniques allow organizations to detect any data tampering. However, these techniques can still be compromised in a cyberattack.<\/p>\n

Availability Breach<\/h3>\n

An availability breach is a specific type of security breach that occurs when data or systems are unavailable to authorized users when needed. In cybersecurity, availability means ensuring <\/strong>systems and data are accessible and functional when needed.
\nAvailability breaches result from various incidents<\/strong>, from system failures and human error to malicious attacks.
\nThe most common attack that causes an availability breach is a denial-of-service (DoS)<\/strong> attack, in which the attacker floods a system with traffic to overload it and make it inaccessible.
\nWhen an availability breach occurs, users cannot access systems or data, impacting service and business continuity.<\/strong> Organizations should have disaster recovery and business continuity plans to recover quickly from an availability breach.<\/p>\n

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How a security breach occurs<\/b><\/h2>\n

Behind every breach, there is an entry vector; below we highlight the most common ones:<\/span><\/p>\n