Cybersecurity Terminologies Cheat Sheet
1. Threat:
A threat refers to any potential event that could cause damage to an organization’s data, systems, or networks. Threats can be natural (floods, fires) or malicious (hackers, malware).
2. Vulnerability:
A vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in a system that could be exploited by a threat to cause harm. It could be in software, hardware, or even in human processes.
3. Risk
Risk is the combination of the likelihood of a threat exploiting a vulnerability and the potential impact if the exploitation occurs. In cybersecurity, reducing risk is the primary goal.
4. Exploit
An exploit is the method or technique attackers use to take advantage of a vulnerability in a system. Exploits can be in the form of malware, scripts, or malicious activities.
Malware is a broad term for malicious software designed to cause harm, steal data, or disrupt services. Common forms of malware include viruses, worms, and ransomware.
6. Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands payment (often in cryptocurrency) for its release. This has become a common and highly dangerous cybersecurity threat.
7. Phishing
Phishing is a social engineering attack where attackers masquerade as a trustworthy entity to trick individuals into providing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data.
8. Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access. It ensures that only those with the correct decryption key can access the original data.
A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization’s security policies. It acts as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks.
10. Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An Intrusion Detection System monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and potential attacks. When a threat is detected, it raises an alert but does not take action to prevent the attack.
11. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
An Intrusion Prevention System not only detects threats like an IDS but also takes proactive measures to prevent the threat from compromising the network.
12. Zero-Day
A zero-day refers to a previously unknown vulnerability in software or hardware that attackers exploit before the vendor is aware or able to patch it. These vulnerabilities are highly sought after by hackers.
A patch is a software update that fixes security vulnerabilities or other bugs. Keeping systems patched is a critical component of cybersecurity to prevent attacks on known vulnerabilities.
14. Penetration Testing (Pen Test)
A penetration test is an authorized, simulated cyberattack on a system to evaluate its security and identify potential vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
15. Denial of Service (DoS) / Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
A DoS attack involves overwhelming a system, server, or network with a flood of traffic to make it unavailable to users. A DDoS attack is similar but uses multiple compromised devices to launch the attack, making it harder to mitigate.
16. Social Engineering
Social engineering is a technique where attackers manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information or performing certain actions. Phishing is one of the most common forms of social engineering.
MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a system or application. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just using a password.
18. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM refers to software solutions that collect and analyze security event data from various sources to provide real-time threat detection, analysis, and response. It is a core component of modern cybersecurity infrastructures.
19. Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)
An APT is a prolonged and targeted cyberattack in which an intruder gains access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period, typically to steal sensitive data.
20. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR is a set of tools and solutions focused on detecting, investigating, and mitigating suspicious activities and issues on endpoints, such as computers, mobile devices, and servers.
21. Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
XDR is a more advanced form of EDR that extends the detection and response capabilities across multiple security layers, including network, endpoint, server, and email, providing a more holistic view of security incidents.
22. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN allows users to create a secure, encrypted connection to another network over the internet. It is commonly used to protect data privacy, especially on public networks.
23. Incident Response (IR)
Incident response is the process of identifying, managing, and recovering from a cybersecurity breach or attack. Organizations should have an IR plan in place to minimize damage and recover quickly.
A keylogger is a type of malware that records the keystrokes of a victim, often with the intent of capturing sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers.
25. Botnet
A botnet is a network of compromised devices controlled remotely by hackers. Botnets are often used to launch large-scale attacks, such as DDoS attacks or sending out spam emails.
26. Red Team
A Red Team is a group of ethical hackers tasked with simulating real-world cyberattacks on an organization’s infrastructure. Their objective is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that malicious actors could use, helping the organization bolster its defenses.
27. Blue Team
The Blue Team is responsible for defending against attacks, monitoring systems for suspicious activity, and improving the organization’s security posture. They work to mitigate vulnerabilities identified by Red Team assessments or other threat intelligence.
28. Purple Team
A Purple Team is a collaborative group where members of the Red Team and Blue Team work together to enhance security through continuous feedback and improvement. This fusion enables more effective defense strategies.
30. Security Operations Center (SOC)
SOAR platforms integrate threat intelligence and security tools, allowing organizations to automate repetitive tasks, manage alerts, and streamline incident response processes. SOAR improves efficiency and response times during incidents.
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a globally accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations. It is used as a reference to help organizations understand and strengthen their security postures against specific threats.
32. Honeypot
A honeypot is a decoy system set up to attract cyber attackers and study their methods. It is used to detect and analyze hacking attempts, allowing security teams to learn from the behavior of attackers.
33. Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)
An APT is a prolonged and targeted cyberattack where an intruder remains undetected for an extended period, aiming to steal sensitive data.
34. Sandboxing
Sandboxing is a security technique where untrusted or unknown code is executed in a controlled environment, isolated from the rest of the network or system. This method helps to safely analyze malware without risking the network.
35. Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM solutions aggregate and analyze activity from various resources to identify potential security threats. They help with real-time monitoring and are crucial for threat detection and response.
36. Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
MDR services provide organizations with outsourced monitoring, threat detection, and incident response. These services are often used by companies that lack the in-house expertise to run their own detection and response teams.
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