Confidential information exposed in a data breach

As data records become subjected to increasing digitisation, the security of personal information is increasingly dependent on strong cyber defences as well as the traditional user regulations for employees who have access to the information. Both cybersecurity and user policy must work effectively and in harmony to allow for successful data protection, as even the slightest of missteps could compromise entire systems. Victims who have had their confidential information exposed in a data breach will know this fact all too well.

Victims can become worried and stressed in the aftermath of data breaches, which is entirely understandable given how severely their privacy can be compromised and how many risks it can becomes exposed to.

As specialist Data Breach Lawyers, we want to ensure that all those affected by breaches of data protection law have an opportunity to access the justice they deserve. Pursuing compensation claims can help to hold data controllers to account for the harm they have caused, and we can offer No Win, No Fee legal representation.

Confidentiality and data protection

When we consider confidentiality in terms of personal data, the mind may initially go to medical information, as doctor-patient confidentiality is a key tenet of the medical profession. This means that, when a patient discusses an issue with their doctor, they do so in the knowledge that information they disclose will not be revealed to another person, unless it is needed for a medical purpose, such as for a referral.

This concept can be broadly applied to data protection at other organisations. When we disclose personal information to a business, a local authority, an employer, or a school, we also expect that they will keep it private and only use it for specified purposes, such as to contact us or conduct authorised financial transactions.

These expectations we have are in fact set out in data protection law, so we have a legal right to count on data controllers but we still, unfortunately, see confidential information exposed on a regular basis.

How is confidential information exposed?

As mentioned before, data security is dependent on cybersecurity measures and the ability of staff to follow procedure. Breaches caused by cybersecurity flaws can manifest themselves in targeted cyberattacks, but user errors or company-wide failings can nevertheless often be at the root of such incidents. For example, confidential information exposed in the Equifax data breach was stolen by hackers who were able to take advantage of a well-known cybersecurity vulnerability that had not been repaired by the company.

More basic human error data breaches can involve something as simple as an email being sent to the wrong person, or information being unintentionally uploaded to a public website. The confidential information exposed in data breaches such as these can still become vulnerable to significant security risks if it falls into the wrong hands.

Your data breach compensation claim

If you have had your confidential information exposed by a third-party data controller, we may be able to help you pursue a compensation claim. You could be entitled to recover damages for any distress you suffered as a result, as well as any financial losses or expenses you have faced.

Simply contact our expert team for free, no-obligation advice today to find out if you could be eligible.