Cyberpedia
[sī-bər-pē-dē-ə]
noun.
- A comprehensive, ever-evolving glossary of cybersecurity terms, concepts, and jargon designed to demystify the digital security world.
- Your go-to dictionary for navigating the cyber landscape, from encryption algorithms to zero-day exploits.
- A knowledge vault for beginners, professionals, and curious minds alike—because understanding is the first line of defense.
Example usage:
“Before diving into that cybersecurity course, I brushed up on key terms in the Cyber Florida Cyberpedia to get ahead.”
Helpful Cybersecurity Terms & Acronyms
A
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT): A prolonged and targeted cyberattack in which an unauthorized user gains access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period.
Antivirus: Software designed to detect and destroy computer viruses.
Authentication: The process of verifying the identity of a user or device before granting access.
B
Brute Force Attack: A trial-and-error method used to decode encrypted data such as passwords by attempting all possible combinations.
Botnet: A network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge.
C
Cryptography: The practice of securing information by transforming it into an unreadable format, only accessible by those with the decryption key.
Cybersecurity: The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks that aim to access, alter, or destroy sensitive information.
Cyber Attack: Any attempt to expose, alter, disable, destroy, steal, or gain unauthorized access to or make unauthorized use of an asset.
Cyber Hygiene: Practices and steps that users of computers and other devices take to maintain system health and improve online security.
Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT): A team responsible for responding to cybersecurity incidents and breaches.
D
Data Breach: The unauthorized access, acquisition, or release of confidential information, typically involving personal or financial data.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack: A cyberattack where the attacker aims to make a machine or network resource unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic.
E
Encryption: The process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): A cybersecurity technology that monitors end-user devices and provides tools for responding to security incidents.
Exploit: A technique used by hackers to take advantage of a vulnerability in a system.
F
Firewall: A network security device or software designed to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic and block malicious data based on a set of security rules.
Forensics (Cyber Forensics): The practice of collecting, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence for use in a court of law or investigation.
G
Gateway: A network point that acts as an entrance to another network.
H
Hacker: An individual who uses technical skills to gain unauthorized access to systems or data.
I
Incident Response Plan (IRP): A documented, structured approach with clear procedures for handling and managing a cybersecurity incident.
IoT (Internet of Things): The network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies to connect and exchange data with other devices over the internet.
J
Jailbreaking: The process of removing restrictions imposed by the manufacturer on devices such as smartphones and tablets, typically to gain root access.
K
Keylogger: A type of malware that records the keystrokes made by a user to steal sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details.
L
Local Law Enforcement: Agencies such as city police departments and county sheriff’s offices, which may assist in cybercrime investigations at the community level.
M
Malware: Malicious software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device, service, or network.
MITM (Man-in-the-Middle): An attack where the attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.
N
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): A federal agency that develops and promotes cybersecurity standards and guidelines for U.S. industries and government agencies.
Network Security: Strategies and measures taken to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of computer networks and data.
P
Patch: A software update intended to fix bugs or vulnerabilities in a system.
Phishing: A type of cyberattack in which fraudulent emails or messages are sent to trick individuals into revealing personal information or downloading malicious software.
Penetration Testing (Pen Test): A simulated cyberattack against a system to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in its defenses.
Q
Quarantine: The process of isolating infected files or malware to prevent it from spreading and causing further damage.
R
Ransomware: A type of malware that encrypts the victim’s files and demands payment to restore access.
S
Social Engineering: A tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information.
SOC (Security Operations Center): A centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level.
State Law Enforcement: Agencies such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which may be involved in cybercrime cases across Florida.
Spear Phishing: A targeted phishing attack aimed at a specific individual or organization.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): A protocol for encrypting internet traffic and verifying the identity of websites.
T
Threat Intelligence: The collection and analysis of information about current and potential threats to an organization’s systems.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): A security process in which a user provides two different authentication factors to verify their identity.
U
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): A federal department responsible for public security, including cyber threats. DHS oversees cybersecurity through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
U.S. Secret Service (USSS): A federal agency that investigates cyber-related crimes such as fraud, financial crimes, and threats to financial institutions.
V
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A service that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address to secure your online activities.
Vulnerability: A flaw or weakness in a system’s design, implementation, or operation that can be exploited to cause harm or gain unauthorized access.
W
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): A security protocol developed to secure wireless computer networks.
Cybersecurity Agencies & Organizations
Local & State Agencies
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): Handles statewide investigations related to cybercrime and works closely with federal agencies on cyber-related matters.
Florida Fusion Center (FFC): A state law enforcement initiative to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats and other criminal activities.
Federal Agencies
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Investigates cybercrime, including hacking, ransomware, and cyber terrorism. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) allows individuals to report cyber incidents.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): A federal agency within the DHS responsible for strengthening cybersecurity across critical infrastructure and public sectors.
National Security Agency (NSA): Primarily responsible for cybersecurity in matters of national security and intelligence gathering.
United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM): A division of the U.S. Department of Defense focused on defensive and offensive cyber operations.
United States Secret Service (USSS): Investigates cybercrimes related to financial fraud, including credit card fraud, and digital currency crimes.