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Marc Dallas

Data breaches are a major cybersecurity threat. They affect organizations of all sizes and can lead to financial, legal, and reputational consequences. This article provides a clear definition of data breaches, outlines the associated risks, shares the latest statistics, and presents preventive measures—with a particular focus on anonymization.

1. Understanding a data breach.

A data breach is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. It can be malicious or accidental, intentional or unintentional, internal or external. This includes:

  • Human error (sending a file to the wrong recipient)
  • Cyberattacks (phishing, malware, ransomware)
  • Insider behavior (malicious employee or human failure)

2. Types of data breaches

External breaches

Usually caused by cyberattacks, such as:

  • Phishing
  • Spyware
  • Ransomware and malware exploiting vulnerabilities

Internal breaches

Originating from within the organization:

  • Unauthorized access to sensitive data
  • Poor access rights management
  • Use of unsecured data in test or training environments

3. Recent statistics on cyberattacks

4. Average cost of a data breach

Losses include:

  • Business disruption
  • Loss of competitiveness
  • Consulting and remediation costs
  • Loss of customer trust and reputational damage

Guide – Data Anonymization Keys to a Successful Cross-functional Project

5. Measures to prevent data breaches

1. DLP (Data Loss Prevention)
Prevents sensitive data from leaving the organization.

2. Data classification
Protects data by assigning sensitivity levels and limiting access.

3. Least privilege policy
Ensures each user only accesses the data necessary for their job.

4. Encryption
Protects data by making it unusable without a key.

5. Anonymization
Replaces personal data with realistic, non-identifying equivalents.

6. Focus: Anonymization as a key prevention tool

What is anonymization?

According to the CNIL, anonymization involves applying a set of techniques that make it practically impossible to identify a person in an irreversible way.

Difference with pseudonymization

  • Pseudonymization: reversible, still subject to GDPR.
  • Anonymization: irreversible, excluded from the scope of GDPR.

Use cases

  • Software testing and development: provide coherent yet non-identifying data.
  • Training environments: simulate real scenarios without risk of leakage.
  • Outsourcing: deliver usable data without exposing personal information.
  • Business Intelligence: leverage data while preserving confidentiality.

Example: profile-based data access

  • An HR developer sees coherent, anonymized data.
  • An HR manager sees the actual data.

Conclusion

Data breaches are a daily reality with potentially severe consequences for businesses.

An effective strategy combines both technological and organizational measures. Anonymization, as a proactive solution, not only protects sensitive data but also relieves regulatory obligations—provided it is deeply embedded in all business processes.

[Webinar] Protection of personal data: How and when should you anonymize?