SDC techniques are intended to prevent identity and attribute disclosure. Identity disclosure occurs when it is possible to associate a known individual with a released data record. Attribute disclosure occurs when it is possible to determine some new characteristics of an individual based on the information available in the released data

SDC techniques are not intended to prevent a third type of disclosure – inferential disclosure. Inferential disclosure occurs when it is possible to determine the value of some characteristic of an individual more accurately with the released data than would otherwise have been possible.