28 Cybersecurity Terms Every IT Professional Should Know
Understand the language of security to better protect your organization
Cybersecurity can feel like a maze of acronyms, jargon, and fast-evolving threats. Whether you’re deep in the weeds of incident response or just getting started with security fundamentals, it’s essential to speak the language.
We’ve compiled a list of 28 must-know cybersecurity terms that cover common threats, core technologies, and essential best practices. Think of it as your go-to cheat sheet for making sense of the cybersecurity conversation.
Access Control
Restricting access to systems, data, or resources based on user identity and permissions.
Account Takeover
When an attacker gains unauthorized access to a user’s account, often using stolen credentials.
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)
A long-term, targeted cyberattack where an intruder remains undetected in a network to steal data.
Adware
Software that automatically displays or downloads ads, often bundled with free programs.
Alert Fatigue
When security teams are overwhelmed by too many alerts—real or false—leading to missed threats.
Allow-list (formerly Whitelist)
A security approach that only permits known, trusted entities or software to access a system.
Antivirus
Software that detects, blocks, and removes malicious programs (malware).
Authentication
The process of verifying that a user or device is who they say they are.
Brute Force Attack
A trial-and-error method used by attackers to guess passwords or encryption keys.
Cloud Security
Technologies and policies designed to protect data, applications, and services in the cloud.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A web vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by others.
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
An attack that tricks users into executing unwanted actions on a web application in which they’re authenticated.
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)
Information used to understand cyber threats and anticipate future attacks.
Data Breach
An incident in which sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed or disclosed without authorization.
Data Encryption
Converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access.
Data Leak
The unauthorized exposure or transmission of sensitive information.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Technologies that help prevent sensitive data from being lost, stolen, or accidentally shared.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack
An attack that floods a system or network with traffic to make it unavailable.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack
A DoS attack launched from multiple sources, often botnets, to amplify its impact.
Digital Certificate
An electronic document used to prove the ownership of a public key, essential for secure communications.
Endpoint Security
Security solutions focused on devices like laptops, phones, and servers that connect to a network.
Firewall
A network security device or software that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing traffic.
Honeypot
A decoy system or trap set up to attract attackers and study their behavior.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
A framework for managing user identities and controlling access to systems and data.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators to potential threats.
Keylogger
Malware that secretly records keystrokes to capture sensitive information like passwords.
Malware
Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a system.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
An extra layer of security requiring users to verify their identity in more than one way (e.g., password + code sent to phone).
Security starts with understanding. Whether you’re in IT or cybersecurity, knowing the terminology is the first step toward building a stronger defense!
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