A data breach in the realm of human resources is defined as the unlawful access, disclosure, or acquisition of sensitive and confidential employee information. This breach can occur for a variety of reasons, including cyberattacks, insider threats, or unintentional disclosure, and it poses a major danger to both individual privacy and organizational security.
Example
An HR data breach might occur when a hostile actor acquires access to an HR database that contains employee records such as social security numbers, bank account information, and medical records. This unlawful access might lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and legal ramifications for both the affected personnel and the corporation.