A data breach is a cyber - dependent crime as technology has been used to enhance existing crime. This occurs when personal information is intentionally or unintentionally accessed without permission or authorisation. Data breaches can occur with something as simple as someone stealing a USB or phone containing personal data. However they can be more sophistictaed when databases are hacked.

Data breaches can also occur to individuals. For example when people use free public wifi, create passwords that are particularly easy or are used for multiple accounts. However they can also happen through companies that you have accounts with such as those who had accounts with Pizza Hut.

Pizza Hut was hit with a data breach that affected over 193,000 customers. Data from customers including order details, delivery addresses, names, phone numbers and emails, as well as credit card details and passwords for registered accounts were accessed. This access of data called for forensic and cyber security specialists. It was later confirmed that the 'Shinyhunters' were the group that achieved the breach. They sent a sample file of customer details and demanded $300,000 to delete the information.

Customers involved were told to remain vigilant for other personal attacks such as phishing and asked to change their Pizza Hut account passwords. Thoroughly reading text messages from unknown numbers and business is encouraged to ensure no one clicks on links that may be a scam. Keeping devices up to date with virus protection, and changing passwords to other accounts that may use the same one was also suggested.

It is extremely hard to find the individual or group that took part in the data breach therefore the number of data breaches has significantly increased. A number of steps are taken when a data breach occurs including containing it to prevent any further issues, assessing it, notifying the individuals and commissioner and finally reviewing the breach and deciding the next actions to prevent further breaches. The response will be different case by case, making it an extremely difficult and extraneous task.