What is a fundamental characteristic of a personal data breach?

A fundamental characteristic of a personal data breach is indeed the destruction or unauthorized access to personal data. This involves any incident that compromises the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of personal data. When personal data is destroyed, altered, or accessed without proper authorization, it constitutes a breach as it undermines the protection that individuals are entitled to with regards to their personal information.

The concept of a personal data breach encompasses situations where data is exposed to those who should not have access, which can happen through hacking, accidental loss, or other means. This definition aligns with principles outlined in regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which emphasizes the severity of any incidents that could affect individuals' rights and freedoms.

In contrast, denial of access to data subjects does not necessarily indicate a breach but may rather be an issue of access management. Segregation of data types is a method of organizing data to enhance security and compliance but does not directly relate to the idea of a breach. Regular reviews of document management are a preventive measure to ensure compliance and security, but they do not define a breach itself.