DATA BREACH REVIEW
Act fast and establish facts
The incident has been contained. Now comes the question that decides everything: whose data was in there? A Data Breach Review works through the compromised data (mailboxes, file shares, exported archives) to establish exactly what personal data has been exposed and who it belongs to, so your notification decisions rest on evidence rather than worst-case guesswork.
Establish facts, fast
Uncover key facts quickly, so you know what was exposed, who's been affected, and what needs to happen next.
Regain control
We bring structure to fast-moving incidents, helping you prioritise quickly, understand the impact, and act on the facts.
Proactive prevention
A breach is rarely one mistake. Pinpoint what went wrong, why and prevent it from happening again.
Uncover the truth quickly and ensure you remain secure across your business.
Notify everyone and you create a second incident: thousands of alarmed people who were never actually at risk. Notify too few and you answer to the regulator. The review exists to get that line right, with a documented rationale behind every name on the list. Suggested heading to match: Calm heads, fast answers.
Matters we can help you with
Whether the issue is internal misconduct, suspected fraud, a data incident, or allegations that may lead to litigation or regulatory scrutiny, we ensure the digital evidence is handled correctly and translated into clear, actionable insight.
Incidents where exposure needs to be ruled out
Ransomware and data exfiltration events
Business email compromise and mailbox intrusions
Misdirected communications and accidental disclosure
Lost or stolen devices
Compromised supplier and third-party systems
Insider data theft
We bring pace and expert judgement to every Data Breach Review
Combining practical workflows, focused forensic analysis, and clear reporting, we deliver data breach reviews that are timely, proportionate, and defensible, without adding unnecessary disruption to day-to-day operations.
Technology-led incident review support
Where relevant, we help you organise and review incident information efficiently, reducing duplication and confusion as facts evolve.
Legally trained consultancy
Our senior consultants understand how breach assessments are scrutinised in practice. We translate evolving technical detail into clear privacy risk analysis and decision-making.
Meticulous documentation and record-keeping
We produce a structured breach record that captures the timeline, scope, risk assessment, and decisions, including why you did or didn’t notify, based on the information available at the time.
Our standards are high
We work to consistent methods and controls, supporting defensibility and governance. Where needed, we align output to your internal incident response process and reporting lines.
Secure data handling
Data security and confidentiality are treated as non-negotiable throughout the review, including controlled access, careful sharing, and clear handling expectations.
Expert support
We can scale support to match the incident, whether you need a second pair of eyes for a complex assessment or additional capacity to keep pace with internal and external stakeholders.
Technology-led incident review support
Where relevant, we help you organise and review incident information efficiently, reducing duplication and confusion as facts evolve.
Legally trained consultancy
Our senior consultants understand how breach assessments are scrutinised in practice. We translate evolving technical detail into clear privacy risk analysis and decision-making.
Meticulous documentation and record-keeping
We produce a structured breach record that captures the timeline, scope, risk assessment, and decisions, including why you did or didn’t notify, based on the information available at the time.
Secure data handling
Data security and confidentiality are treated as non-negotiable throughout the review, including controlled access, careful sharing, and clear handling expectations.
Choose a review approach that suits you and your budget.
Flexibility is everything, which is why you can choose the level of support that suits your matter, your team and your budget. We can provide a fully outsourced review team through a trusted partner, giving you a scalable option without adding pressure to internal resources.
If you prefer to keep the review in-house, we can support you or your end client with the expertise, workflows, and guidance needed to run the review effectively.
Assurance behind every service
We are proud to hold internationally recognised certifications that support the quality, security and consistency of our work, giving our clients and end clients confidence in the way we operate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? Here are answers to the ones we’re asked most often. Clear, practical, and written to help you decide what you need next. If you need further answers, reach out to us.
What is a Data Breach Review?
A Data Breach Review is a structured assessment of a suspected or confirmed personal data incident. It documents what happened, what data was involved, the likely impact on individuals, and the decisions taken (including whether notification is required), alongside actions to reduce risk.
How quickly can CYFOR Legal start a Data Breach Review?
Immediately. We can start with rapid triage to capture the key facts, agree immediate actions, and set a clear plan for the assessment, even while the incident is still developing.
We’re not sure it’s a notifiable breach, can you still help?
Yes. Many incidents start with uncertainty. We help you assess what’s known, identify the evidence that matters, and document a reasoned “notify / don’t notify” decision based on risk to individuals.
What does a “defensible” breach decision include?
Typically; a clear timeline, the scope of personal data involved, who may be affected, an assessment of likely impact, any mitigating factors (e.g., encryption or access controls), and a documented rationale for actions taken, including notification decisions.
Can you support ICO and/or individual notification if needed?
Yes. Where notification is required, we can support the process and help draft clear, accurate communications that reflect the facts and the steps being taken.
What types of incidents do you support?
Common examples include misdirected communications, incorrect access permissions, lost devices, compromised accounts, supplier incidents, and security events where personal data exposure is suspected or needs to be ruled out.
Can you work alongside our security incident response team or supplier?
Yes. We regularly work alongside internal Security/IT and third parties. The aim is to translate technical findings into a clear privacy risk assessment and documented decision trail, without duplicating effort.