In today’s business world, digital data is among the most valuable assets of companies. Unauthorized sharing of this data, which includes customer information, financial records, and trade secrets, can lead to serious material and moral losses for companies. Therefore, it is of great importance for companies operating in Antalya to be informed about the protection of internal digital data and the legal processes against unauthorized sharing.
Definition and Scope of Digital Data Breach
A digital data breach is when an unauthorized person accesses, copies, alters, or disseminates digital data under a company’s control. These breaches can occur for a variety of reasons, including malicious employee actions, cyberattacks, or insider trading. The type of data breached is a major factor in determining the severity of the breach. For example, theft of customer credit card information can have far more serious consequences than unauthorized sharing of personal data.
Legal Consequences of Unauthorized Sharing
In Antalya, unauthorized sharing of internal digital data can lead to various crimes under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK). The relevant articles of the TCK cover charges such as breach of privacy, fraud, computer crimes and disclosure of trade secrets. KVKK, in particular, imposes very strict regulations on the protection of personal data. In the event of unauthorized processing or sharing of data, companies may be subject to heavy administrative fines. In addition, victims may also file a lawsuit for compensation.
Responsibilities within the scope of KVKK
The KVKK imposes significant obligations on data controllers and data processors regarding the processing and protection of personal data. Companies must provide legal basis when processing personal data, store data securely, and take precautions against unauthorized access. In the event of KVKK violations, data controllers may be subject to both administrative fines and compensation claims.
Protection of Trade Secrets
Information that provides a company with a competitive advantage and must be kept confidential is considered a trade secret. Unauthorized sharing of this information is a crime under the provisions of the law regarding the protection of trade secrets. Compensation lawsuits can also be filed for damages resulting from the disclosure of trade secrets.
Legal Measures to be Taken in Case of Unauthorized Sharing
In the event of unauthorized sharing of internal digital data, evidence must first be securely collected and protected. This evidence will be used to determine the scope of the violation and identify those responsible. Then, a criminal complaint must be filed with the authorized law enforcement authorities and legal proceedings must be initiated. Working with a lawyer is of great importance for the process to be carried out correctly and effectively. The lawyer will provide consultancy on the collection of evidence, filing a criminal complaint, filing a compensation lawsuit and following the legal process.
Collecting and Preserving Evidence
When unauthorized access is detected, access to systems should be blocked first and efforts should be made to prevent data loss. When determining the scope of the breach, log records, network traffic data and other relevant information should be collected and stored securely. At this stage, the integrity and reliability of digital evidence is of great importance. In order to avoid unauthorized intervention, it may be useful to cooperate with a specialist cybersecurity company.
Preventive Measures
To prevent unauthorized sharing of internal digital data, companies must take preventive measures. Technical measures such as using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, regular software updates, firewalls and antivirus programs are vital. In addition, regular data security training should be provided to employees and internal security policies should be created. These policies should clearly state how data will be processed, stored and shared.
Proactive and conscious behavior of companies in protecting their digital data is the most important step to prevent possible legal and financial losses. Getting legal advice is very important to take the right steps in this regard and minimize possible risks. It is recommended that every company operating in Antalya receive support from an expert lawyer in this regard. A conscious approach will protect both the security and the future of companies.