Final answer:
A violation is an intentional breach of security policies, which contrasts with an infraction, an unintentional breach. Violations are serious and can lead to formal sanctions, as they deliberate attempts to undermine an organization's security.
Step-by-step explanation:
A violation in the context of security incidents typically refers to an intentional breach of security policies. In contrast, an infraction might refer to an unintentional breach. Violations usually carry more severe consequences because they represent a deliberate attempt to circumvent security measures. This can include actions such as unauthorized access to data, deploying malware, or any other actions that go against the established security protocols of an organization.
To provide a clear understanding, a violation is not Adherence to security protocols (which is the opposite of a violation), not Proactive security measures (which aim to prevent violations), and not Routine system maintenance (which is part of regular operations). A violation is most closely associated with a deliberate and unauthorized action that harms the security posture of an organization. Formal sanctions are often used to address such incidents and uphold the integrity of the security system.