What does "data breach notification" entail?

Data breach notification is fundamentally the process of informing affected individuals and relevant authorities about a data breach in a timely manner. This is a critical aspect of data protection laws, designed to mitigate potential harm to individuals whose personal information may have been compromised. The aim is to ensure that those affected can take necessary steps to protect themselves, such as monitoring their accounts for unauthorized activity or taking actions to secure their sensitive information.

In many jurisdictions, laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and various state data breach notification laws mandate that organizations notify individuals within a specified timeframe after discovering a breach. Notifying authorities, often regulatory bodies, is also a requirement, helping them monitor data security practices effectively and manage public safety risks.

This proactive approach not only fulfills legal obligations but also helps maintain trust and transparency between organizations and consumers. The other choices offered in the question do not align with the essence of data breach notifications, as they focus on aspects unrelated to informing affected parties about breaches.