Tietosuojarikkomuksesta

Tietosuojarikkomus, or data breach, refers to an incident where personal data is accessed, disclosed, lost, destroyed, or altered without authorization. This can occur through various means, including unauthorized access to computer systems, accidental disclosure, or theft of devices containing personal information.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union defines a data breach as a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, personal data. Organizations that process personal data have a legal obligation to report certain types of data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority and, in some cases, to the affected individuals.

The reporting requirements typically depend on the severity of the breach and the potential risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals. A breach is considered high-risk if it could result in discrimination, identity theft or fraud, financial loss, damage to reputation, loss of confidentiality, or any other significant economic or social disadvantage.

Consequences of a data breach can include significant financial penalties for the organization responsible, as well as reputational damage. For individuals, the impact can range from inconvenience to severe financial and emotional distress, depending on the nature of the compromised data. Implementing robust security measures and having a clear data breach response plan are crucial for organizations to mitigate risks and comply with legal obligations.