Many cybersecurity terms can be confusing, but understanding them is essential for protecting yourself and your data in the cloud. This Cloud 101 guide will break down some key cybersecurity terms you’ll encounter and explain what they mean in the context of cloud security.
Table of Contents
Attack Surface
Definition: The collective term for all possible entry points, vulnerabilities, and exploits that an attacker can use to compromise a system or network. Example: Open ports, unsecured APIs, and weak passwords.
Authentication
Definition: The process of verifying the identity of a user or system. Example: Using a username and password to log into an online account.
Authorization
Definition: Determining what resources a user or system can access. Example: Granting a user permission to access specific files or systems based on their role.
Botnet
Definition: A network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge. Example: Using a botnet to conduct a DDoS attack.
Brute Force Attack
Definition: A method of gaining access to a system by systematically trying all possible password combinations. Example: Using automated tools to guess a user’s password.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Definition: A security policy enforcement point between cloud service consumers and providers to apply enterprise security policies. Example: Monitoring and controlling data traffic between on-premises infrastructure and a cloud provider.
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
Definition: A non-profit organization that promotes best practices for securing cloud computing environments. Example: Providing guidelines and frameworks like the CSA Security, Trust & Assurance Registry (STAR).
Cyber Hygiene
Definition: The practices and steps that users of computers and other devices take to maintain system health and improve online security. Example: Regularly updating software and using strong, unique passwords for different accounts.
Cyber Resilience
Definition: The ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks. Example: Implementing backup systems and incident response plans to ensure business continuity after a cyberattack.
Data Breach
Definition: An incident where sensitive, protected, or confidential data is accessed or disclosed without authorization. Example: Hackers stealing customer credit card information from an online retailer.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Definition: Strategies and tools used to prevent data breaches, exfiltration, or unwanted destruction of sensitive data. Example: Monitoring and controlling endpoint activities to prevent unauthorized data transfers.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attack
Definition: An attack where multiple compromised systems target a single system, causing a denial of service. Example: Flooding a website with traffic to make it unavailable to users.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Definition: An integrated endpoint security solution that combines real-time continuous monitoring and collection of endpoint data with rules-based automated response and analysis capabilities. Example: Detecting and responding to threats on devices like laptops and smartphones.
Endpoint Security
Definition: The practice of securing endpoints or entry points of end-user devices like desktops, laptops, and mobile devices from exploitation by malicious actors. Example: Securing cloud storage access points to prevent unauthorized access to stored data.
Encryption
Definition: Converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. Example: Encrypting emails to protect sensitive information from being read by unintended recipients.
Exploit
Definition: This cybersecurity term is a technique or code that takes advantage of a vulnerability or weakness in a system or network to gain unauthorized access, perform malicious actions, or extract sensitive information. Example: A specific code designed to exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability.
Exposures
Definition: The degree to which a system or network is susceptible to attack or compromise due to vulnerabilities, configuration errors, and other weaknesses. Example: An improperly configured firewall that exposes the network to external attacks.
Firewall
Definition: A network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Example: A firewall can block unauthorized access while permitting outward communication.
Honeypot
Definition: A security mechanism set to detect, deflect, or counteract attempts at unauthorized use of information systems. Example: A decoy server set up to attract attackers and study their behaviour.
Incident Response
Definition: The organization’s approach to prepare for, detect, contain, and recover from a data breach or cyberattack. Example: A predefined plan that outlines how to handle and recover from a cyberattack.
Insider Threat
Definition: A threat to an organization that comes from people within the organization, such as employees, former employees, contractors, or business associates. Example: An employee leaking confidential information to a competitor.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
Definition: A device or software application that monitors network or system activities for malicious activities or policy violations. Example: An IDS can alert administrators to suspicious activity on a network.
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Definition: A system that monitors network traffic to detect and prevent vulnerability exploits. Example: An IPS can block traffic from a suspicious IP address.
Keylogger
Definition: A type of surveillance software that records every keystroke made on a computer. Example: Capturing usernames and passwords entered by a user.
Malware
Definition: Malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. Examples: Viruses, worms, trojans, and ransomware.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack
Definition: An attack where the attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties. Example: Eavesdropping on a conversation between two parties by intercepting their messages.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Definition: A security system that requires more than one authentication method from independent categories of credentials to verify the user’s identity. Example: Using a password and a fingerprint scan to access a system.
Patch Management
Definition: The process of managing updates for software applications and technologies. Example: Regularly applying security patches to systems to fix vulnerabilities.
Pentesting (Penetration Testing)
Pentesting involves simulating a cyberattack on an organization’s network or application to identify potential vulnerabilities. This practice helps in:
- Identifying security vulnerabilities
- Testing security controls
- Meeting compliance requirements
- Planning for incident response
- Conducting third-party assessments
- Managing risks
- Improving security awareness
- Reducing downtime and data loss
- Protecting reputation and brand image
- Meeting client requirements and contractual obligations
It’s essential to remember that penetration testing can potentially damage the network being tested. Therefore, it’s crucial to involve expert professionals who can identify and interpret any vulnerabilities discovered during the testing. This will help mitigate potential damage and prevent adverse impacts on the network.
Phishing
Definition: A type of cyberattack that uses deceptive emails or websites to trick individuals into providing sensitive information. Example: An email that appears to be from a legitimate source asking for login credentials.
Privilege Escalation
Definition: Exploiting a bug, design flaw, or configuration oversight in an operating system or software application to gain elevated access to normally protected resources. Example: Gaining administrative rights on a system by exploiting a vulnerability.
Ransomware
Definition: A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until money is paid. Example: Encrypting files on a victim’s computer and demanding payment for the decryption key.
Red Team
Definition: A group of security professionals who act as adversaries to test the effectiveness of an organization’s security program. Example: Conducting simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities.
Rootkit
Definition: A collection of software tools that enable an unauthorized user to gain control of a computer system without being detected. Example: Hiding the presence of malicious software on a computer to avoid detection by security software.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Definition: A set of tools and services offering a holistic view of an organization’s information security. Example: Aggregating data from various sources to detect and respond to potential security threats in real-time.
Security Operations Center (SOC)
Definition: A centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. Example: A team that monitors, detects, and responds to security incidents around the clock.
Security Posture
Definition: The overall security status of an organization’s software and hardware networks, information, and services. Example: Regular security assessments to measure the effectiveness of implemented security measures.
Shared Responsibility Model
Definition: A cloud security framework delineating a cloud provider’s and its customers’ security obligations. Example: In IaaS, the provider secures the infrastructure while the customer is responsible for securing data, applications, and network configurations.
Social Engineering
Definition: The use of deception to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information that may be used for fraud. Example: Pretending to be IT support to trick employees into revealing their passwords.
Spyware
Definition: Software that enables a user to obtain covert information about another’s computer activities by transmitting data covertly from their hard drive. Example: Software that tracks browsing habits and sends that information to third parties.
SQL Injection
Definition: A code injection technique that might destroy your database, used to attack data-driven applications by inserting malicious SQL statements. Example: Exploiting a website’s database layer vulnerabilities to access unauthorized data.
Threat
Definition: Potential damage or harm that could be caused to a system or network by an attacker. Example: Malware or phishing attacks that aim to steal sensitive information.
Threat Actor
Definition: An individual or group that intends to conduct detrimental activities against an organization. Examples: Hackers, cybercriminal organizations, or nation-state groups.
Threat Intelligence
Definition: Information about threats to an organization’s people, systems, and information that helps mitigate harmful events. Example: Sharing data on recent phishing scams targeting the industry.
Trojan Horse
Definition: A type of malicious code or software that looks legitimate but can take control of your computer. Example: A seemingly harmless application that, once installed, provides remote access to an attacker.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Definition: An extra layer of security used to ensure that people trying to gain access to an online account are who they say they are. Example: Combining a password with a one-time code sent to a user’s phone.
Vulnerability
Definition: A system, network, application, process, human, or organizational weakness an attacker could exploit to carry out a threat. Example: Unpatched software that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access.
Whitelisting
Definition: This cybersecurity term is a strategy that allows only approved programs, IP addresses, or email addresses to access a system or network. Example: Permitting only trusted applications to run on company devices.
Zero-Day Exploit
Definition: An attack that targets a previously unknown vulnerability for which no patch or fix is available. Example: A new type of malware that exploits an undisclosed software vulnerability.
Zero Trust Architecture
Definition: A security model that assumes that threats could be both outside and inside the network and thus requires strict verification for each access attempt. Example: Implementing strict access controls and continuous monitoring within a network.
Wrapping Up Cybersecurity Terms
Understanding these terms’ differences is crucial to developing effective cybersecurity measures such as vulnerability assessments, social engineering testing, and security audits.
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Cybersecurity Terms References
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework This resource provides a comprehensive framework for understanding, identifying, protecting against, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity risks.
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA): https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/ This organization offers various resources on cloud security, including a glossary of terms.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001: https://www.iso.org/home.html This international standard outlines best practices for information security management. It can be a helpful reference for understanding the broader context of cloud security terms.
