---
title: "What Is Data breach? Dental Practice Glossary | Copeland Consulting Services"
description: "A data breach is an event in which private information is seen, used or taken by someone who has no permission to have it."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/data-breach
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Compliance and risk

# Data breach

A data breach is an event in which private information is seen, used or taken by someone who has no permission to have it.

In the HIPAA setting, HHS says a breach is, generally, an impermissible use or disclosure under the Privacy Rule that compromises the security or privacy of the protected health information.

Examples include a stolen laptop, a hacked email account, a misdirected fax or a staff member who looks at a chart without a work reason. [Ransomware](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ransomware) can also cause a breach.

HIPAA has a Breach Notification Rule that says what a covered entity must do next. Timing and steps depend on the facts, so call an attorney or compliance adviser at once. Prevention starts with the safeguards in the [HIPAA Security Rule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa-security-rule).

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Ransomware](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ransomware)
-   [HIPAA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa)
-   [HIPAA Security Rule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa-security-rule)
-   [Cybersecurity](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cybersecurity)

## Sources

1.  [HHS: Breach Notification Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)