If you mention data leakage to most people, they may think that it sounds like a problem for a plumber, but the phrase “data leak” has specific and troubling concerns for a business. Data leakage is a particular security threat, and there are many sources for data leaks.
Data leaks can originate from a variety of sources; a quickly sent email, a seemingly innocent comment in a chat room, or even a comment on social media posted with the best of intentions. In professional settings, information in a support ticketing system or information transferred to a personal web portal account can also result in a data leak. Generally, anywhere that data travels has the potential for leakage if the proper precautions are not observed. Like a data breach, a data leak can have a lot of unpleasant consequences. It can result in lawsuits and regulatory penalties. Unfortunately, it’s often due to unwitting human error, an accident.