breach

A “breach” refers to the act of breaking or failing to observe a law, duty, agreement, or code of conduct. In legal terms, it often denotes a violation of a contractual obligation, where one party fails to meet the terms specified in a contract, which may lead to legal consequences. In security contexts, a breach typically involves unauthorized access to sensitive or protected information, such as data breaches in cybersecurity, where personal, corporate, or sensitive data is exposed or stolen. Overall, the term signifies a failure to uphold or comply with established standards or agreements.