What distinguishes an incident from a breach in information security?

The distinction between an incident and a breach in information security is fundamentally about the nature of the event involving data access. An incident refers to any event that may indicate that an organization's data or systems are compromised. This can include anything from system outages to suspicious activity that does not yet confirm unauthorized access or data compromise.

On the other hand, a breach specifically involves the unauthorized access or retrieval of sensitive information. This means that a breach is a confirmed incident where there has been a violation of data security policies, resulting in exposure or disclosure of data.

This distinction is crucial in incident response and reporting procedures, as it helps organizations determine the necessary steps to take when an event occurs. By differentiating between incidents and breaches, organizations can implement appropriate security measures and responses tailored to the severity and implications of the event. Thus, the correct choice emphasizes this key aspect of data access in defining a breach compared to a general incident.