CyberSecurity FAQ - What is Cybersecurity?

Alternative FAQ Phrasings: What is a cybersecurity? | What is cyber security?

Definition: cybersecurity (a.k.a. cyber security, computer network security) refers to the specialization of computer network security that consists of technologies, policies, and procedures that protect networked computer systems from unauthorized use or harm. Broadly speaking, cybersecurity topics can be subdivided into two complementary areas: cyber attacks, which are essentially offensive and emphasize network penetration techniques; and cyber defenses, which are essentially protective and emphasize counter-measures intended to eliminate or mitigate cyber attacks.

Cyber attacks can take aim at the enterprise, government, military, and other infrastructural assets of a nation or its citizens, where these assets can include physical infrastructure (e.g., power grids, nuclear reactors) as well as computational infrastructure (e.g., computers, networks). Cyber attacks can be classified by their participating actors (states vs. non-states) and their attack mechanisms (e.g., direct attack, malware, exploits). See the Cyber Attack Classifications, Cyber Attack Malware Taxonomy, and Cyber Attack Mechanism Taxonomy sub-sections in the Cyber Attacks section for more information.

Correspondingly, cyber defenses must protect the enterprise, government, military, and other infrastructural assets of a nation or its citizens. As is the case with cyber attacks, cyber defenses can be classified by their participating actors (states vs. non-states) and their attack mechanisms (e.g., direct attack, malware, exploits). See the Cyber Defense Classifications and Cyber Defense Countermeasure Taxonomy sub-sections in the Cyber Defenses section for more information.

How to Learn More About Cybersecurity
To learn more about how to specify cybersecurity and related technologies, please see the following Cybersecurity FAQs:

• CyberSecurity FAQ - Why do we need Cybersecurity?
• CyberSecurity FAQ - What is cyber hygiene?
• CyberSecurity FAQ - What is a cybersecurity architecture?

If you have constructive recommendations to correct, clarify, or otherwise improve this or any other Cybersecurity FAQ, please contact us.

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