Original posting date: April 29, 2021

Cybersecurity can seem like a world of jargon and technical terms, but understanding the key concepts is crucial for all involved in protecting an organization's network. We’ve compiled a list of important cybersecurity terms that will help you understand their meanings and why they are important to safeguarding your network.

Essential Cybersecurity Terms

Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)

A prolonged, targeted attack in which an attacker gains unauthorized access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period, often to steal sensitive data or disrupt operations.

APTs are highly sophisticated and extremely difficult to detect, making them a significant threat to high-value assets like intellectual property and national infrastructure.

Assumed Breach

A security model based on the assumption that a breach has already occurred or will inevitably happen. This model focuses on reducing the damage of an attack and improving detection and response capabilities.

By operating under the assumption that a breach will occur, organizations can take proactive steps to continuously monitor and secure their networks.

Attack Surface

The total number of vulnerabilities or points in a system that are exposed to potential attack, including web applications, email, devices, and networks.

A comprehensive understanding of your attack surface helps identify entry points for attackers, allowing you to reduce risks.

Attack Vector

The method or pathway that an attacker uses to gain unauthorized access to a system. Common attack vectors include phishing emails, malicious links, and exploiting software vulnerabilities.

Identifying potential attack vectors is crucial for preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS)

A process that simulates real-world attacks to assess the effectiveness of an organization's security.

BAS helps identify weaknesses in your defenses, allowing you to remediate vulnerabilities and improve your security posture before an actual attack occurs.

Blue Team

Cybersecurity experts responsible for protecting an organization's network and systems from cyberattacks by focusing on continuous monitoring, identifying threats, and responding to incidents to minimize damage.

Blue teams work to fortify defenses, detect potential threats early, and respond effectively to minimize the impact of cyberattacks.

Cloud Security

The practices and technologies designed to protect data, applications, and services hosted in cloud environments.

As more businesses move to the cloud, securing cloud infrastructure becomes critical to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and downtime.

Continuous Attack Surface Discovery

Ongoing identification of potential entry points or vulnerabilities exposed on the internet that could be exploited by attackers.

Continuous discovery helps to ensure that no new vulnerabilities are overlooked, and it allows for a comprehensive view of the organization’s attack surface.

Continuous Attack Surface Monitoring

Systematically examines and evaluates potential entry points for cyber threats in a system or network. This process aims to identify and address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Real-time monitoring helps detect emerging threats and vulnerabilities quickly, enabling immediate response and mitigation before attackers can exploit them.

Continuous Attack Surface Testing

Ongoing testing of an organization's systems and attack surface to simulate potential real-world attacks and identify weaknesses.

Continuous testing ensures that security defenses remain effective and that new vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.

Continuous Penetration Testing (CPT)

Ongoing monitoring, testing and remediation of vulnerabilities that can leave an organization’s network exposed to cyberattacks. CPT blends machine and human testing to ensure all aspects of a network security program are working as they should year-round.

Continuous testing ensures that vulnerabilities are discovered and mitigated as soon as they emerge, providing a proactive approach to securing the network.

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM)

A structured, ongoing process that enables organizations to identify, assess, and mitigate security risks.

CTEM helps detect and address risks in real-time, ensuring your organization can respond quickly and adapt to the evolving threat landscape.

Incident Response (IR)

A structured approach to mitigating the effects of a cybersecurity breach or attack, including detection, containment, and recovery processes.

Having a well-defined incident response plan is critical to minimizing damage, reducing recovery time, and maintaining operational integrity during and after an attack.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

A security process that requires users to provide two or more authentication factors before accessing a system, such as a password, a smartphone, or biometric data.

MFA strengthens security by adding an additional layer of protection, making it much harder for attackers to compromise accounts, even if a password is leaked or stolen.

Phishing

A type of social engineering attack where attackers impersonate trusted entities, such as companies or colleagues, to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or financial details.

Phishing is one of the most common methods for cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive information, and it is often the first step in larger, more sophisticated attacks.

Red Team

Cybersecurity experts who simulate real-world attacks on an organization to test the effectiveness of its security measures.

Red teams identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses by thinking like attackers, providing valuable insights to strengthen defenses and improve overall security.

Real-World Threats

Actual threats or vulnerabilities that could potentially harm an organization's systems, such as malware, ransomware, or advanced persistent threats (APTs).

Understanding real-world threats helps organizations structure their strategies to address the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by cybercriminals in real-world attacks.

Remediation

The process of fixing or addressing vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or gaps in an organization’s security environment to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Effective remediation reduces the window of opportunity for attackers, ensuring that vulnerabilities are resolved quickly before they can be exploited.

Remediation Velocity

The speed at which an organization addresses and resolves identified vulnerabilities. Faster remediation velocity means quicker response times to threats.

High remediation velocity helps mitigate risks quickly, reducing the time attackers have to exploit vulnerabilities and enhancing overall network security.

Security Posture

The overall strength of an organization’s cybersecurity program, based on its ability to defend against and respond to cyber threats, as well as its overall risk management strategy.

A strong security posture indicates that an organization is well-prepared to handle cyber threats and can recover quickly from attacks while minimizing risk exposure.

Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Strategy

By understanding and incorporating these cybersecurity terms into your strategy, your organization will be better prepared to face the wide range of challenges posed by modern cyber threats. In today’s cybersecurity landscape, staying informed and adapting to new strategies is essential for protecting your network and data.