Security
This cyber security glossary explains the meaning of terms about different types of computer security threats as well as words about application security, access control, network intrusion detection, security awareness training and computer forensics.
Authentication and access control
Terms related to authentication, including security definitions about passwords and words and phrases about proving identity.
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What is a brute-force attack?
A brute-force attack is a trial-and-error hacking method cybercriminals use to decode login information and encryption keys to gain unauthorized access to systems.
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What is Pretty Good Privacy and how does it work?
Pretty Good Privacy, or PGP, was a popular program used to encrypt and decrypt email over the internet, as well as authenticate messages with digital signatures and encrypted stored files.
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What is cloud security?
Cloud security, or cloud computing security, is a set of policies, practices and controls deployed to protect cloud-based data, applications and infrastructure from cyberattacks and cyberthreats.
Compliance, risk and governance
This glossary contains definitions related to compliance. Some definitions explain the meaning of words used in compliance regulations. Other definitions are related to the strategies that compliance officers use to mitigate risk and create a manageable compliance infrastructure.
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What is a risk map (risk heat map)?
A risk map, or risk heat map, is a data visualization tool for communicating specific risks an organization faces.
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What is risk exposure in business?
Risk exposure is the quantified potential loss from currently underway or planned business activities.
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What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance is the combination of rules, processes and laws by which businesses are operated, regulated and controlled.
Network security
Terms related to network security, including definitions about intrusion prevention and words and phrases about VPNs and firewalls.
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What is ransomware? Definition and complete guide
Ransomware is malware that locks and encrypts a victim's data, files, devices or systems, rendering them inaccessible and unusable until the attacker receives a ransom payment.
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What is a mobile VPN?
A mobile virtual private network (mobile VPN) is a type of VPN specifically designed to maintain a stable and secure connection while a user moves across different networks.
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What is a brute-force attack?
A brute-force attack is a trial-and-error hacking method cybercriminals use to decode login information and encryption keys to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Security Admin
Terms related to security management, including definitions about intrusion detection systems (IDS) and words and phrases about asset management, security policies, security monitoring, authorization and authentication.
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What is ransomware? Definition and complete guide
Ransomware is malware that locks and encrypts a victim's data, files, devices or systems, rendering them inaccessible and unusable until the attacker receives a ransom payment.
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What is a brute-force attack?
A brute-force attack is a trial-and-error hacking method cybercriminals use to decode login information and encryption keys to gain unauthorized access to systems.
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What is Pretty Good Privacy and how does it work?
Pretty Good Privacy, or PGP, was a popular program used to encrypt and decrypt email over the internet, as well as authenticate messages with digital signatures and encrypted stored files.
Threat management
Terms related to security threats, including definitions about anti-virus programs or firewalls and words and phrases about malware, viruses, Trojans and other security attacks.
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What is ransomware? Definition and complete guide
Ransomware is malware that locks and encrypts a victim's data, files, devices or systems, rendering them inaccessible and unusable until the attacker receives a ransom payment.
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What is crypto ransomware? How cryptocurrency aids attackers
Crypto ransomware is a form of ransomware that uses cryptography to encrypt computer files so that the victim cannot access them. In exchange for the demanded ransom, the attacker claims it will tell the victimized business how to regain access to the stolen data.
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What is a brute-force attack?
A brute-force attack is a trial-and-error hacking method cybercriminals use to decode login information and encryption keys to gain unauthorized access to systems.