Data breaches can take many forms, from an unintentional release of information by an unaware employee, to a cyber criminal using stolen login credentials to access sensitive data to a ransomware attack that encrypts a company's confidential information.

The types of data that can be involved also vary; it can be personal health information, such as medical records; personally identifiable information like driver's license numbers, financial information, such as credit card numbers; and trade secrets and intellectual property like product designs.

Regardless of the cause or type of data affected, any instance of unauthorized access to or theft of a company's data constitutes a data breach.

Learn more: https://www.a10networks.com/blog/the-cost-of-a-data-breach-and-the-need-for-ssl-security/