What is a key characteristic of a data breach?

A key characteristic of a data breach is that it occurs when unauthorized access to data happens. This definition captures the essence of what a data breach is: it involves an incident where sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed without permission. Such unauthorized access can compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the data, leading to potential risks for individuals or organizations involved.

Understanding this characteristic is crucial because it highlights the gravity of the situation and the need for businesses to implement robust security measures to prevent such incidents. The ramifications of a data breach can include legal consequences, reputational damage, and financial losses, reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity practices.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that do not accurately represent a data breach. For instance, stating that a data breach usually affects only non-sensitive information misrepresents its nature, as breaches often involve sensitive data such as personal identification information, financial records, and proprietary business information. Similarly, associating a data breach with an increase in revenue is misleading, as breaches typically have detrimental financial impacts. Lastly, considering that a data breach is often easily resolved by IT support understates the complexity and severity involved in managing such incidents, which often require extensive investigation, remediation, and sometimes the involvement of external resources.