What is "data breach notification"?

Data breach notification involves informing individuals whose personal information has been compromised due to a security breach. This notification is crucial because it allows affected individuals to take protective measures, such as monitoring their accounts for fraudulent activity, freezing their credit, or changing passwords. By mandating that organizations disclose breaches, the process aims to enhance transparency and accountability in handling personal data.

While the other concepts mentioned—like announcing new security measures, notifying authorities, or sending system update alerts—are important aspects of cybersecurity protocols, they do not specifically focus on the immediate need to inform individuals whose data has been directly impacted by a breach. The essence of data breach notification lies in ensuring that those affected by a security incident are made aware so they can take appropriate action to protect themselves.