Cybersecurity Acronyms

Unlock the meaning behind common cybersecurity acronyms with our easy-to-navigate glossary, designed to support your understanding and clarity in cybersecurity language.

APT

An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a prolonged and targeted cyberattack where highly skilled adversaries infiltrate a network to stealthily steal sensitive information or disrupt operations, employing sophisticated techniques and continuous monitoring to evade detection and maintain access over time.

CTI

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) refers to the analysis and collection of information about potential or existing threats to an organization’s security. By providing insights into adversaries’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), CTI helps organizations proactively defend against cyber attacks and improve their overall security posture through informed decision-making and strategic planning.

DDoS

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is a malicious attack that overwhelms a target’s server or network with a flood of internet traffic from multiple sources, rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users by exhausting resources and causing disruption.

DLP

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) encompasses strategies and technologies that safeguard sensitive information by monitoring and controlling data in use, in motion, and at rest to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure and ensure compliance with regulations.

EDR

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) refers to a security solution that continuously monitors endpoint devices for suspicious activities and potential threats. By collecting and analyzing data from endpoints, EDR solutions provide real-time threat detection, automated response capabilities, and forensic analysis to mitigate risks and improve overall security posture.

GRC

Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) is a framework that integrates an organization’s governance policies, risk management practices, and compliance with regulations to ensure alignment with business objectives. GRC helps organizations manage risks effectively, meet regulatory requirements, and promote accountability and transparency across all levels of the enterprise.

IAM

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies and technologies that ensures the right individuals have appropriate access to resources within an organization. IAM systems facilitate the management of user identities, authentication, and authorization processes, enhancing security by controlling who can access what data and applications while helping to maintain compliance with regulations.

IoT

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnected network of physical devices embedded with software and other technologies that enable them to collect and exchange data over the internet.

IOC

Indicator of Compromise (IOC) refers to pieces of forensic data, such as file hashes, IP addresses, domain names, or URLs, that provide evidence of a security breach or malicious activity on a network. IOCs help security teams detect, respond to, and remediate cyber threats by identifying known signs of compromise within systems and monitoring for their presence during security assessments.

MDR

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a cybersecurity service that offers continuous surveillance of an organization’s IT environment by combining advanced threat detection technologies with human expertise to monitor, analyze, and respond to security incidents in real time.

MITM

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) refers to a type of cyberattack where an attacker intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties without their knowledge. This attack can be used to eavesdrop on conversations, steal sensitive information, or inject malicious content into the data being transmitted, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the communication.

MTTD

Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) measures the average time taken to identify a cybersecurity threat, emphasizing early detection to limit potential damage.

MTTR

Mean Time to Response (MTTR) tracks the average time it takes to begin responding to a cybersecurity incident after detection, focusing on swift action to reduce potential impact.

MSP

Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a company that delivers a range of IT services, including network management, cybersecurity, data backup, and support, on a subscription basis. MSPs help organizations enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs by outsourcing their IT functions, allowing them to focus on core business activities while ensuring their technology infrastructure is managed effectively.

NIST

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a U.S. federal agency that develops and promotes measurement standards, guidelines, and best practices for various industries, including cybersecurity. NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework provides organizations with a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks, helping them protect critical assets and enhance overall security posture.

OSINT

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available information from various sources, such as websites and databases to gather actionable insights.

RDP

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that enables users to connect to and control a remote computer over a network. RDP provides a graphical interface, allowing users to interact with the remote machine as if they were physically present, making it a popular tool for remote administration and support.

SASE

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cybersecurity architecture that combines network security functions, such as secure web gateways and firewall-as-a-service, with wide area network capabilities delivered via the cloud. SASE provides secure, scalable access to applications and data regardless of the user’s location, enabling organizations to enhance security and improve user experience in a distributed environment.

SIEM

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is a comprehensive solution that aggregates and analyzes security data from across an organization’s IT infrastructure. By collecting log and event data from various sources, SIEM provides real-time visibility, threat detection, and incident response capabilities, enabling security teams to identify and respond to potential security incidents more effectively.

SOC

Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit that monitors, detects, and responds to security incidents in real time. Comprised of security professionals, a SOC utilizes various technologies and processes to analyze security alerts, ensuring the organization’s overall security posture is maintained.

SOC 1

SOC 1 is an audit report focused on internal controls relevant to financial reporting at service organizations, providing clients with assurance regarding the management of financial data.

SOC 2

SOC 2 evaluates the controls related to data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, ensuring that service organizations protect customer data effectively and meet industry standards.

SSO

Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications and services with a single set of login credentials. By streamlining the login experience, SSO enhances user convenience while improving security by reducing the number of passwords users need to remember and manage.

SOAR

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) is a set of technologies that integrates security tools and automates incident response workflows. SOAR enables security teams to respond more efficiently to incidents, reduce response times, and enhance overall threat management by consolidating data and facilitating collaboration across security platforms.

VPN

Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet, allowing users to send and receive data as if they were directly connected to a private network. VPNs enhance online privacy and security by masking the user’s IP address and encrypting their internet traffic, making it more difficult for third parties to monitor or intercept their activities.

WAF

Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security solution that monitors and filters HTTP traffic between a web application and the internet to protect against various attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other common threats. By analyzing incoming requests and applying security rules, a WAF helps safeguard web applications from exploitation and data breaches while ensuring compliance with security policies.

XDR

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is a security solution that integrates multiple security products into a unified platform for more comprehensive threat detection and response. By correlating data across endpoints, networks, and servers, XDR improves visibility and enhances incident response capabilities.

ZTNA

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security model that requires strict verification for every user and device attempting to access network resources, regardless of their location. By adopting a “never trust, always verify” approach, ZTNA minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement within networks, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized entities can connect to specific resources based on predefined security policies.