Data leakage is defined as the unintentional or planned leakage of data of an organization to external users, those who do not have permission to access or view such data. It typically is the disclosure of confidential information to unauthorized users.

There are three ways in which such leakage can occur:

  1. Accidental Breach: A user has unintentionally sent the data to a person who is not permitted to view it and is thus a personal error or blunder.
  2. Intentional Breach: A user sends confidential data to an entity that is not permitted to view it, on purpose.
  3. System Hack: Different techniques are used such that data leakage is triggered. The major solution to contain data leakage is to use preventive tools software and certain techniques or strategies called the data leakage prevention tools.