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[What Is a Data Leak?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak?ts=markdown) Table of Contents * [How DSPM Is Evolving: Key Trends to Watch](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends?ts=markdown) * [From Static Discovery to Dynamic Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends#static?ts=markdown) * [The Convergence of DSPM with Cloud-Native Security Architectures](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends#native?ts=markdown) * [Real-Time Data Detection and Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends#response?ts=markdown) * [AI Security and Generative AI Data Protection](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends#protection?ts=markdown) * [Automation, Policy-as-Code, and DevSecOps Integration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends#automation?ts=markdown) * [DSPM Key Trends FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-evolving-trends#faq?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Compliance?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance?ts=markdown) * [Why Is DLP Compliance Important?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#why?ts=markdown) * [DLP Regulatory Compliance Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#dlp?ts=markdown) * [Types of Data Threats](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#types?ts=markdown) * [How Does DLP Work?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#how?ts=markdown) * [DLP Compliance Management Strategies](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#compliance?ts=markdown) * [Legal and Ethical Considerations in DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#legal?ts=markdown) * [Future Predictions for DLP Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#future?ts=markdown) * [DLP and Compliance FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-loss-prevention-dlp-compliance#faqs?ts=markdown) * [Top Cloud Data Security Solutions](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions?ts=markdown) * [The Modern Cloud Data Security Landscape](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions#modern?ts=markdown) * [The Anatomy of Modern Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions#cloud?ts=markdown) * [Evaluating Data Protection Platforms for Enterprise Deployment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions#data?ts=markdown) * [Leading Cloud Data Security Solutions and Market Positioning](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions#security?ts=markdown) * [Strategic Implementation and Platform Selection](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions#platform?ts=markdown) * [Top Cloud Data Security Solutions FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-solutions#faq?ts=markdown) * [DSPM Market Size: 2025 Guide](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market?ts=markdown) * [DSPM Market Size and Financial Overview](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market#dspm?ts=markdown) * [Growth Drivers Reshaping the DSPM Market](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market#growth?ts=markdown) * [Market Segmentation and Adoption Patterns](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market#market?ts=markdown) * [Palo Alto Networks DSPM Market Position](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market#position?ts=markdown) * [DSPM Market Forecast Through 2030](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market#dspm?ts=markdown) * [DSPM Market FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/dspm-market#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Encryption?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption?ts=markdown) * [Data Encryption Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#data?ts=markdown) * [Types of Encryption](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#types?ts=markdown) * [What Are the Benefits of Data Encryption?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#what?ts=markdown) * [Data Encryption Use Cases](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#usecases?ts=markdown) * [Key Selection](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#key?ts=markdown) * [Data Encryption and Algorithms](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#algorithms?ts=markdown) * [Encryption Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#best-practices?ts=markdown) * [Data Encryption FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-encryption#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Storage?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage?ts=markdown) * [Data Storage Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#data?ts=markdown) * [What Are Different Types of Data Storage?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#what?ts=markdown) * [What Is Structured Data?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#structured?ts=markdown) * [What Is Unstructured Data?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#unstructured?ts=markdown) * [What Is Semi-Structured Data?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#semi-structured?ts=markdown) * [Data Storage in the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#cloud?ts=markdown) * [Data Storage FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-storage#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Risk Assessment?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment?ts=markdown) * [Data Risk Assessment Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment#data?ts=markdown) * [Why Data Risk Assessment Is Crucial](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment#why?ts=markdown) * [When Assessing Risk is Necessary](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment#when?ts=markdown) * [What Are the Benefits of Assessing Data Risk?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment#what?ts=markdown) * [Assessing Risk in Cloud Data](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment#assessing?ts=markdown) * [Data Risk Assessment FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-risk-assessment#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Database Security?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/database-security?ts=markdown) * [Database Security in Public Clouds](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/database-security#database?ts=markdown) * [Elements of Database Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/database-security#elements?ts=markdown) * [Database Security: 8 Best Practices](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/database-security#security?ts=markdown) * [Database Security FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/database-security#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-data-loss-prevention#cloud?ts=markdown) * [How Cloud DLP Works](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-data-loss-prevention#how?ts=markdown) * [Traditional DLP Vs. Cloud DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-data-loss-prevention#traditional?ts=markdown) * [Benefits of Cloud DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-data-loss-prevention#benefits?ts=markdown) * [‍Cloud Data Loss Prevention FAQ](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/cloud-data-loss-prevention#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is a Data Lake?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake?ts=markdown) * [Data Lakes Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake#data?ts=markdown) * [Data Lake vs. Data Warehouse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake#vs?ts=markdown) * [What Are the Benefits of Data Lakes?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake#what?ts=markdown) * [Challenges of Using Data Lakes](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake#challenges?ts=markdown) * [‍Use Cases For Data Lakes](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake#usecases?ts=markdown) * [Data Lake FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-lake#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is a Data Security Platform?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-platform?ts=markdown) * [Data Security Platform Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-platform#data?ts=markdown) * [How a Data Security Platform Solves the Complexity of Data Protection](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-platform#how?ts=markdown) * [A Data Protection Platform Reduces Risk](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-platform#protection?ts=markdown) * [Benefits of a Data Protection Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-platform#benefits?ts=markdown) * [Data Security Platform FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-platform#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is a Data Warehouse?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-warehouse?ts=markdown) * [Data Warehouses Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-warehouse#data?ts=markdown) * [What Makes a Data Warehouse Unique?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-warehouse#what?ts=markdown) * [What Are the Benefits of Data Warehouses?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-warehouse#benefits?ts=markdown) * [When Are Data Warehouses Beneficial?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-warehouse#beneficial?ts=markdown) * [Data Warehouse FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-warehouse#faqs?ts=markdown) * What Is a Data Leak? * [Data Leaks Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#explained?ts=markdown) * [Data Leaks in Public Clouds](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#public-clouds?ts=markdown) * [Data Breach vs Data Leak](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#vs?ts=markdown) * [Data Leak FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Shadow IT?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/shadow-it?ts=markdown) * [Shadow IT Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/shadow-it#shadow?ts=markdown) * [Shadow IT and Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/shadow-it#security?ts=markdown) * [Mitigating Shadow IT Risks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/shadow-it#mitigating?ts=markdown) * [Shadow IT FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/shadow-it#faqs?ts=markdown) * [Data Security Policies: Why They Matter and What They Contain](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-policy?ts=markdown) * [What Is a Data Security Policy?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-policy#what?ts=markdown) * [Data Security Policies Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-policy#data?ts=markdown) * [What Is in a Data Security Policy?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-policy#what-is?ts=markdown) * [What Data Security Controls Should a Policy Include?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-policy#include?ts=markdown) * [Data Security Policy FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-security-policy#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is an Insider Threat?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/insider-threat?ts=markdown) * [Insider Threat Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/insider-threat#insider?ts=markdown) * [Privileged Users \& Insider Risks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/insider-threat#privileged?ts=markdown) * [Employee Monitoring](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/insider-threat#employee?ts=markdown) * [Data Detection and Response (DDR)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/insider-threat#data?ts=markdown) * [Insider Threat FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/insider-threat#faqs?ts=markdown) * [What Is Data Sprawl?](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-sprawl?ts=markdown) * [Data Sprawl Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-sprawl#data-sprawl?ts=markdown) * [The Challenge of Data Sprawl](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-sprawl#challenge?ts=markdown) * [Best Practices to Overcome Data Sprawl](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-sprawl#best-practices?ts=markdown) * [Data Sprawl FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-sprawl#faq?ts=markdown) # What Is a Data Leak? 3 min. read Table of Contents * * [Data Leaks Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#explained?ts=markdown) * [Data Leaks in Public Clouds](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#public-clouds?ts=markdown) * [Data Breach vs Data Leak](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#vs?ts=markdown) * [Data Leak FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#faqs?ts=markdown) 1. Data Leaks Explained * * [Data Leaks Explained](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#explained?ts=markdown) * [Data Leaks in Public Clouds](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#public-clouds?ts=markdown) * [Data Breach vs Data Leak](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#vs?ts=markdown) * [Data Leak FAQs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/data-leak#faqs?ts=markdown) ‍‍A data leak refers to confidential or sensitive information being unintentionally or accidentally exposed, either externally or internally, due to insufficient security measures. ## Data Leaks Explained A data leak is a security incident where confidential, protected or [sensitive data](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/sensitive-data?ts=markdown) is released to an environment where the data is not meant to exist. Data leaks can result from various reasons, such as system vulnerabilities, improper disposal of data, operational errors, or even malicious insider threats. The data that is leaked could range from personal and financial data such as credit card details, social security numbers, to corporate financial figures or sensitive intellectual property. This exposure can lead to serious ramifications including damage to a company's reputation, financial loss, and legal consequences. Organizations are usually highly invested in preventing data leaks to guard their business and customer data. Regular security audits, a reliable data security framework, strong user access control and a proactive cyber security culture are some of the ways that companies can work to prevent data leaks. ## Data Leaks in Public Clouds Cloud environments are often particularly vulnerable to data leaks for two crucial reasons: data volumes and complexity. The cloud enables businesses to store massive volumes of data, often far beyond what could be managed on local servers. Moreover, cloud environments usually consist of multiple services deployed across different regions and many specialized data stores. This complexity may result in unclear or inadequate security configurations, making the system more susceptible to inadvertent leaks. In some cases, data may be stored or transferred on the cloud without the appropriate security measures, such as server-side encryption or access controls. These misconfigurations are a common cause of data leaks in the cloud --- and has even affected cybersecurity companies, as was the case in the 2021 [Cognyte data leak incident](https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/breach-database-leak/). Even as cloud service providers implement various security measures to protect their platforms, ongoing management and configuration of these environments predominantly falls on the client's shoulders. Organizations need to invest in effective cloud security controls, methodologies, and well-trained staff to ensure all areas of their cloud presence are secured, reducing the likelihood of data leaks. [Data security posture management (DSPM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-dspm?ts=markdown) solutions help by continuously discovering sensitive data across cloud environments and identifying misconfigurations that could lead to data exposure. ## Data Breach vs Data Leak Is there a difference between these terms? The terms 'data leak' and '[data breach](https://www.dig.security/glossary/data-breach)' are frequently used interchangeably. In some contexts, 'leak' might be used to describe unintentional exposure of confidential or sensitive information (as was the case in the Cognyte incident above, or other instance of misconfigurations): whereas a data breach might refer to a malicious act of data exfiltration. However, these delineations are not particularly strong in common usage, so you probably shouldn't get too caught up on them. Whether intentional or accidental, any case of unauthorized access to data can have dire consequences including financial loss, reputation damage, and punitive penalties from regulatory bodies. ## Data Leak FAQs ### What is confidential information? Confidential information in the cloud refers to data that requires protection from unauthorized access, disclosure, or alteration. It includes personal, financial, or business-critical data, such as customer records, trade secrets, and intellectual property. Safeguarding confidential information is essential for maintaining privacy, complying with regulations, and preserving an organization's reputation and competitive advantage. ### What is sensitive data? Sensitive data in the cloud encompasses information that, if compromised, could result in significant harm to individuals or organizations. Examples include personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, health records, and proprietary business information. Protecting sensitive data involves implementing robust security measures, such as encryption, access controls, and data classification, to prevent unauthorized access and maintain compliance with relevant regulations. ### What is a security incident? A security incident in the cloud is an event or series of events that compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data or systems. Examples include data breaches, unauthorized access, malware attacks, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Organizations must establish incident response plans to detect, contain, and remediate security incidents while minimizing damage, downtime, and potential legal consequences. ### What is data exposure? Data exposure in the cloud refers to the unintended disclosure or accessibility of sensitive information to unauthorized parties. Data exposure can result from misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, or human error, potentially leading to data leaks, breaches, or other security incidents. Preventing data exposure requires implementing comprehensive security measures, including access controls, encryption, vulnerability management, and continuous monitoring. ### What is a data breach? A data breach in the cloud occurs when an unauthorized party gains access to sensitive or confidential information. Data breaches can result from cyberattacks, such as phishing, malware infections, or exploiting vulnerabilities, as well as from insider threats or human error. Consequences of data breaches include financial loss, reputational damage, and legal penalties. Preventing data breaches requires a multi-layered security approach, including proactive threat detection, access controls, and encryption. ### What is unauthorized access? Unauthorized access in the cloud is the act of gaining entry to systems, applications, or data without permission or proper credentials. It can occur due to weak authentication mechanisms, social engineering attacks, or insider threats. Preventing unauthorized access involves implementing strong authentication and access control measures, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and security awareness training. ### What are misconfigurations? Misconfigurations in the cloud refer to incorrect or suboptimal settings in cloud services, platforms, or applications that can expose data or systems to security risks. Common misconfigurations include improper access controls, open storage buckets, and insecure communication protocols. Identifying and addressing misconfigurations requires continuous monitoring, regular security audits, and adherence to best practices for cloud security configuration. ### What are access controls? Access controls in the cloud are mechanisms that regulate who can access specific resources, services, or data within a cloud environment. They help prevent unauthorized access and maintain data security. Access controls can be role-based, attribute-based, or discretionary, depending on the organization's security requirements. Implementing robust access controls involves defining clear policies, applying the principle of least privilege, and regularly reviewing and updating access permissions. ### What is encryption? Encryption in the cloud is the process of converting data into a coded form to protect it from unauthorized access. It is a critical security measure for safeguarding sensitive information during storage (at rest) and transmission (in transit). Cloud encryption technologies include symmetric and asymmetric algorithms, key management systems, and hardware security modules (HSMs). Adopting strong encryption practices helps ensure data confidentiality and compliance with regulatory requirements. ### What are data volumes? Data volumes in the cloud refer to the amount of data stored, processed, and transferred within cloud environments. Large data volumes can pose challenges in terms of storage, management, and security. Cloud providers offer scalable and cost-effective storage solutions, such as object storage and data lakes, to accommodate growing data volumes. Ensuring data security in high-volume environments requires implementing robust access controls, encryption, and data governance practices. ### What are cloud environments? Cloud environments are virtual computing infrastructures provided by cloud service providers, allowing organizations to store, process, and manage data and applications remotely. There are three primary cloud deployment models: public, private, and hybrid clouds. Public clouds offer shared resources and services to multiple tenants, while private clouds are dedicated to a single organization. Hybrid clouds combine elements of both public and private clouds, offering flexibility and control over data and resources. ### What are legal consequences of data leaks? Legal consequences of data leaks in the cloud can include fines, penalties, and regulatory sanctions imposed by data protection authorities. Laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), mandate strict data security requirements and prescribe punitive measures for non-compliance. Additionally, organizations may face lawsuits, contractual liabilities, and reputational damage resulting from data leaks, further impacting their financial stability and market position. Related Content [The State of Cloud Data Security in 2023 Gain insights on the best ways to secure sensitive data in your cloud environments based on real-world research analyzing 13B+ files stored in public cloud environments.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/research/data-security-2023-report?ts=markdown) [Securing the Data Landscape with DSPM and DDR Stay ahead of the data security risks. Learn how data security posture management (DSPM) with data detection and response (DDR) fills the security gaps to strengthen your security ...](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/guides/dspm-ddr-big-guide?ts=markdown) [5 Orgs Achieve 360° Visibility and Compliance Learn how organizations achieve centralized visibility across cloud environments to remediate vulnerabilities and eliminate threats.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/customer-spotlight-visibility-and-compliance?ts=markdown) [DSPM: Do You Know You Need It? 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