A data leak refers to the unauthorized transmission or exposure of sensitive information from within an organization or system to an external entity. It can occur through various means, such as:
1. Accidental exposure – when confidential information is unintentionally made publicly available.
2. Insider threats – when employees or other insiders deliberately or accidentally share sensitive data.
3. Security vulnerabilities – such as unpatched software, weak access controls, or misconfigured systems that allow external parties to access protected information.
Unlike a data breach, which typically involves malicious intent and hacking, a data leak can occur without any hacking, often due to poor security practices or human error. Leaked data might include personal information, financial records, trade secrets, or intellectual property.