What is a "security breach"?

A security breach refers to any incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential information or restricted areas, compromising the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of sensitive data. This can happen in various contexts, such as cyber attacks, physical intrusion into secured areas, or the accidental release of sensitive information by authorized personnel. Understanding this concept is essential for security professionals, as it emphasizes the importance of implementing proper security measures to prevent and respond to such incidents.

The other options describe scenarios that do not align with the definition of a security breach. Successful safeguarding of sensitive data signifies effective security measures in place, routine maintenance on security systems is a regular practice that helps to prevent breaches and is not an incident of a breach itself, while access to public spaces without restriction does not involve unauthorized access to sensitive information or areas, thus also not constituting a breach.