Dark data represents a large potential cybersecurity exposure for U.S. and U.K. businesses, according to a cybersecurity report titled "Understanding Risk: The Dark Side of Data" from Donnelley Financial Solutions.
Defined as data that a company has collected but no longer needs — ranging from outdated user information to old employee records — dark data is often forgotten and unprotected by corporations, creating substantial liabilities as well as tempting targets for cybercriminals.