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breach

BREECH /briːtʃ/

nounverbB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

An act of breaking through a defense, wall, security system, or contract; an unauthorized intrusion.

In cybersecurity, 'data breach' implies unauthorized viewing, stealing, or leaking of sensitive internal data.

The story behind the word. Traces back to Old English 'brecan' (to break) and Middle English 'breche' (a gap or opening made by breaking). Historical usage referred to smashing through castle walls during a siege. In modern computing, a 'data breach' means breaking through electronic defenses to plunder sensitive databases.

Word relationships

infraction: An infraction is a violation of a minor rule; a breach is a serious physical or digital security intrusion.
penetration: Penetration emphasizes entering through defenses, while breach highlights the break or gap created in the barrier.

fortification: Strengthening defenses to prevent intrusion.
compliance: Adhering fully to rules and boundaries without breaking them.

Commonly confused with

compromise: A breach is the event of breaking into a network; compromise describes the resulting state of safety being lost.

Word family

unbreached (adjective): Not broken into or compromised.

Collocations

data breach
breach of security
report a breach
breach detection

Idioms & expressions

breach of trust

Example sentences

"The company notified customers immediately after confirming a major data breach in their cloud storage system." Data Protection

Memory hook

BREACH sounds like BREAK—breaking through defenses. Breaking through security.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'breech' (spelled with EECH), which refers to the lower part of a gun barrel or buttocks.

Fun facts

Under GDPR laws in Europe, organizations must report a data breach to regulatory authorities within 72 hours of becoming aware of it.