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.

  • What is Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE)?

    Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) is a network protocol that facilitates communication between network endpoints.

  • What is governance, risk and compliance (GRC)?

    Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) refers to an organization's strategy, or framework, for handling the interdependencies of the following three components: corporate governance policies, enterprise risk management programs, and regulatory and company compliance.

  • What is biometric authentication?

    Biometric authentication is a security process that relies on the unique biological characteristics of individuals to verify their identity.

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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.

  • What is a clinical trial?

    Clinical trials, also known as clinical research studies, are carefully designed investigations involving volunteer human participants to evaluate the safety, efficacy and outcomes of medical or surgical interventions.

  • What is a standard operating procedure (SOP)?

    A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions for performing a routine activity.

  • What is health IT (health information technology)?

    Health IT (health information technology) is the area of IT involving the design, development, creation, use and maintenance of information systems for the healthcare industry.

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Network security

Terms related to network security, including definitions about intrusion prevention and words and phrases about VPNs and firewalls.

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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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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.

  • What is a stealth virus and how does it work?

    A stealth virus is a computer virus that uses various mechanisms to avoid detection by antivirus software.

  • What is a SIM swap attack (SIM intercept attack)?

    A SIM swap attack (SIM intercept attack) is a form of identity fraud in which the attacker transfers a user's phone number to a different SIM card to gain access to the user's phone calls, text messages, bank accounts, credit card numbers and other sensitive information.

  • What is security theater?

    Security theater refers to highly visible security measures that create the illusion of increased safety but don't stop threats.

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