Final answer:
The correct factors for assessing breach notifications are the severity of the breach, the number of individuals affected, the type of data involved, and the potential harm to individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors used for assessing breach notifications are critical to understanding the impact of a data breach. From the options provided, the correct factors considered during breach assessment include: severity of the breach, number of individuals affected, type of data involved, and potential harm to the individuals whose data has been compromised. It is essential to assess these factors to determine the need for and scope of notification to affected parties, as well as to develop strategies to mitigate the breach's consequences and prevent future incidents.
When analyzing a data breach, one must consider the depth of the intrusion and the sensitivity of the data accessed. The severity of the breach, for example, can vary from unauthorized access to publicly available data, which may have minimal impact, to the theft of sensitive personal information that could lead to identity theft. Likewise, the number of individuals affected can determine the breadth of the breach and the resources required to address it. The type of data involved - ranging from non-sensitive to highly sensitive personal identifiers - influences the potential harm that could come to those affected. The greater the sensitivity of the data, the higher the potential for serious financial, reputational, or emotional harm to victims.