Appendix C ¡ 119 Terms

Glossary

Every key term from the study guide — searchable and filterable.

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Showing all 119 terms
ACL (Access Control List)

A set of rules on a router or firewall that determines which traffic is permitted or denied.

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

A symmetric encryption algorithm; the current standard for data encryption. Available in 128, 192, and 256‑bit key lengths.

ALE (Annualized Loss Expectancy)

The expected annual cost of a risk. Calculated as SLE × ARO.

Anomaly‑Based Detection

A detection method that establishes a baseline of normal behavior and alerts on deviations.

ARO (Annual Rate of Occurrence)

How often a specific threat is expected to occur per year.

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)

Resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network.

Asymmetric Encryption

Encryption using a key pair (public and private). Data encrypted with one key can only be decrypted with the other.

Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system.

Availability

The assurance that systems and data are accessible when needed by authorized users.

Backup

A copy of data stored separately from the original for recovery purposes.

Botnet

A network of compromised computers controlled remotely by an attacker.

Brute Force Attack

An attack that tries every possible combination to guess a password or encryption key.

CA (Certificate Authority)

A trusted entity that issues and signs digital certificates.

CIA Triad

The three core principles of information security: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

CIDR (Classless Inter‑Domain Routing)

A method for allocating IP addresses and IP routing using variable‑length subnet masks.

CIS Benchmarks

Industry‑standard security configuration guidelines published by the Center for Internet Security.

Cloud Computing

Delivery of IT resources (compute, storage, networking) over the internet on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis.

Cold Site

A DR facility with basic infrastructure but no pre‑installed hardware or data.

Compensating Control

An alternative security measure used when the primary control cannot be implemented.

Confidentiality

The assurance that information is accessible only to authorized individuals.

Container

A lightweight virtualization technology that packages an application with its dependencies, sharing the host OS kernel.

Cron

The Linux task scheduler that runs commands or scripts at specified intervals.

CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures)

A standardized system for identifying and naming known security vulnerabilities.

CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System)

A standardized method for rating vulnerability severity on a scale of 0.0 to 10.0.

Cyber Kill Chain

A model describing the seven stages of a cyber attack, from reconnaissance to actions on objectives.

Deepfake

AI‑generated synthetic media (audio/video) used for impersonation in social engineering attacks.

Defense in Depth

A security strategy that uses multiple layers of controls so no single failure compromises security.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

Automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices.

Digital Signature

A cryptographic technique providing authentication, integrity, and non‑repudiation.

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

A network segment between the internet and internal network, hosting public‑facing services.

DNS (Domain Name System)

Translates domain names into IP addresses.

Drive‑by Download

Malware that downloads automatically when visiting a compromised website without user interaction.

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)

Agent‑based security monitoring and response for endpoints (workstations, servers).

Encryption

The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext using an algorithm and key.

Exposure Factor (EF)

The percentage of an asset's value lost in a single incident.

False Negative

When a security system fails to detect a real threat.

False Positive

When a security system incorrectly identifies legitimate activity as malicious.

FIDO2

An authentication standard enabling passwordless login via WebAuthn and CTAP2 protocols.

Fileless Malware

Malware that operates entirely in memory without writing files to disk.

Firewall

A network security device that monitors and controls traffic based on security rules.

Full Backup

A backup of all selected data, regardless of when it was last backed up.

Hashing

A one‑way function that converts data into a fixed‑length value for integrity verification.

HIDS (Host‑based IDS)

An intrusion detection system installed on individual hosts to monitor local activity.

Hot Site

A fully operational DR facility with real‑time data replication, providing the fastest recovery.

Hypervisor

Software that creates and manages virtual machines. Type 1 runs on hardware; Type 2 runs on a host OS.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Cloud model providing virtualized computing resources; customer manages OS, apps, and data.

IDS (Intrusion Detection System)

A system that monitors network or host activity and alerts on suspicious behavior (passive).

Incremental Backup

Backs up only data that has changed since the last backup of any type.

Integrity

The assurance that data has not been altered or tampered with.

IoC (Indicator of Compromise)

Observable evidence suggesting a system may have been compromised.

IPS (Intrusion Prevention System)

Like an IDS but also takes action to block or prevent detected threats (active, inline).

Keylogger

Software or hardware that records keystrokes to capture sensitive information.

Kill Chain

See Cyber Kill Chain.

Least Privilege

The principle that users should have only the minimum access necessary for their role.

MAC (Mandatory Access Control)

Access control enforced by the system based on classification labels.

Malware

Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to systems.

MFA (Multi‑Factor Authentication)

Authentication requiring factors from two or more different categories.

MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)

Average time between system failures.

MTTR (Mean Time to Repair)

Average time to fix a failed component or system.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

Translates private IP addresses to a public IP for internet access.

NGFW (Next‑Generation Firewall)

A firewall combining stateful inspection, application awareness, IPS, and threat intelligence.

NIDS (Network‑based IDS)

An IDS that monitors network traffic passing through a network segment.

NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

US agency that develops cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and guidelines.

Non‑repudiation

The assurance that a sender cannot deny sending a message (provided by digital signatures).

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

Cloud model providing a platform for developing and deploying applications.

Parameterized Query

A SQL query that separates code from data, preventing SQL injection attacks.

Passkey

A FIDO2‑based passwordless credential using asymmetric cryptography; phishing‑resistant.

Patch Management

The process of acquiring, testing, and applying software updates to fix vulnerabilities.

Penetration Testing

Authorized simulated attacks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities.

Phishing

A social engineering attack using deceptive emails or websites to steal credentials.

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)

The framework for managing digital certificates and public‑key encryption.

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts files and demands payment for the decryption key.

RBAC (Role‑Based Access Control)

Access control that assigns permissions based on organizational roles.

Rootkit

Malware that hides deep in the OS to maintain persistent, undetected access.

RPO (Recovery Point Objective)

Maximum acceptable data loss, measured in time.

RSA

An asymmetric encryption algorithm used for digital signatures and key exchange.

RTO (Recovery Time Objective)

Maximum acceptable downtime before systems must be restored.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

Cloud model delivering applications over the internet (customer manages only their data).

SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals)

The key exchange method used in WPA3 wireless security.

Sandboxing

Isolating a program or process in a restricted environment to limit its access.

SBOM (Software Bill of Materials)

A list of all components and dependencies in a software product, used for supply chain security.

SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm)

A family of cryptographic hash functions. SHA‑256 is the current standard.

Shared Responsibility Model

Cloud security framework dividing responsibilities between the provider and customer.

Signature‑Based Detection

A detection method matching activity against known attack patterns.

SLE (Single Loss Expectancy)

The cost of a single incident. Calculated as Asset Value × Exposure Factor.

Smishing

Phishing via SMS text messages.

Snort

The most widely used open‑source IDS/IPS engine.

SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response)

Platform that automates incident response workflows and integrates security tools.

SOC (Security Operations Center)

A centralized facility for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security events.

Social Engineering

Manipulating people into divulging information or performing actions that compromise security.

Spear Phishing

Phishing targeted at specific individuals using personalized information.

SQL Injection

An attack that inserts malicious SQL into database queries through unsanitized input.

SUID (Set User ID)

A Linux file permission that allows a program to run with the file owner's privileges.

Supply Chain Attack

An attack that targets trusted vendor relationships to distribute malicious code through legitimate channels.

Symmetric Encryption

Encryption using the same key for both encryption and decryption.

TDE (Transparent Data Encryption)

Encrypts an entire database at rest without requiring application changes.

Threat Hunting

Proactively searching for threats that have evaded existing security controls.

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

A protocol that provides encrypted communication between clients and servers.

Trojan

Malware disguised as legitimate software.

UEBA (User and Entity Behavior Analytics)

Uses machine learning to detect anomalous user and device behavior indicating compromise.

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

A protocol that automatically configures network devices; a security risk when enabled.

Virus

Malware that attaches to files and requires user action to execute.

Vishing

Phishing via voice/phone calls.

VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)

A logical network segment on a switch that isolates traffic.

VM Escape

An attack where malware breaks out of a virtual machine to access the hypervisor or host.

VM Sprawl

Uncontrolled creation of virtual machines that become unmanaged and potentially vulnerable.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Creates an encrypted tunnel for secure remote network access.

Vulnerability

A weakness in a system that could be exploited by a threat.

WAF (Web Application Firewall)

A firewall that filters and monitors HTTP traffic to protect web applications.

Warm Site

A DR facility with hardware installed but requiring data restoration.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

An obsolete, broken wireless security protocol. Never use.

Whaling

A phishing attack specifically targeting senior executives.

Worm

Self‑replicating malware that spreads across networks without user interaction.

WPA2 (Wi‑Fi Protected Access 2)

A wireless security protocol using AES encryption. Acceptable minimum standard.

WPA3 (Wi‑Fi Protected Access 3)

The latest wireless security protocol using SAE key exchange. Preferred standard.

XDR (Extended Detection and Response)

Cross‑layer detection and response integrating endpoint, network, cloud, and email telemetry.

XSS (Cross‑Site Scripting)

A web attack that injects malicious JavaScript into pages viewed by other users.

Zero Day

A vulnerability that is unknown to the vendor and has no available patch.

Zero Trust

A security model based on 'never trust, always verify' regardless of network location.