A data breach occurs when personal information is disclosed, lost, altered or deleted without permission. This can happen through hacking, phishing, accidental disclosure or technical problems.
Immediate action should be taken to assess and contain the incident. This includes notifying affected individuals and relevant data protection authorities, and conducting an internal investigation to mitigate the damage.
Yes, companies are obliged to report serious data protection incidents to the competent supervisory authority within 72 hours. In certain cases, data subjects must also be informed, in particular where there is a high risk to their rights and freedoms.
A data breach can lead to legal consequences such as heavy fines, damage to your reputation and loss of trust among customers and business partners. Quick and transparent communication can help minimise the negative impact.
A comprehensive data protection management system, regular security audits, employee training and the use of technical and organisational measures (TOM) are essential to prevent future incidents.