Cybersecurity and Information Technology Key Terms for Students

Accounting

The process of measuring what is happening within the system. This is the final process of the AAA framework and ensures that there is a log of all actions within the network or system.

Artificial Intelligence

A computer system able to perform tasks that ordinarily require human intelligence.

Authentication

The process of identifying a user and granting them access. Authentication is proving that someone is who they say they are.

Authorization

The process of enforcing policies and user privileges. Once a user is authenticated, they may only be authorized to access specific areas or may only have rights to perform specific tasks.

Availability

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

Biometric Authentication

A form of authentication that uses an individual's physical or behavioral characteristics to verify their identity.

Confidentiality

The protection of information from people who are not authorized to view it.

Copyright

A law that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use, distribution, and sale.

Cyberbullying

The use of electronic communication to bully a person.

Cyberterrorists

Have political motivations with the intent to harm, typically resulting in violence.

Deepfake

A video or image of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else, typically used maliciously or to spread false information.

Digital Footprint

The information about a particular person that exists on the Internet as a result of their online activity.

Ethics

The moral principle that governs a person's behavior.

Firewall

A network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Hacktivist

A specific group of hackers who are motivated by their ideological views.

Information Literacy

Information literacy is having the ability to find information, evaluate information credibility, and use information effectively.

Integrity

Aims at ensuring that information is protected from unauthorized or unintentional alteration.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these things to connect and exchange data.

Law

Refers to an external mechanism of control.

Malware

Any type of software that is designed to intentionally harm or damage a computer or network.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

An extra layer of authentication that requires two or more factors for authentication. Typically, these factors fall into three categories: something you know (password), something you have (such as a phone), or something you are (such as your fingerprint).

Nation State Hackers

Sponsored by and funded by a government with the goal of giving their country a competitive advantage on a global scale.

Non-Repudiation

Ensures that one cannot deny having sent or received a message.

Passphrase

A type of authentication that is similar to a password but longer and is usually a sentence or a series of words.

Password Manager

Tools that store and manage passwords for various accounts, generating strong passwords and auto-filling login credentials.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Any data that can be used to identify an individual, such as their name, address, or social security number.

Phishing

A cybercrime in which a person is contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone who is posing as a legitimate company.

Privacy Policy

Legal document outlining how a company can collect and use your data.

Ransomware

A software that prevents users from accessing their files or network until a ransom is paid.

Risk

The potential for loss when an attack happens.

Spyware

Once downloaded onto a user's computer, the software secretly gathers information about a person or organization and sends it to the attacker.

Threat

A potential for a cybercriminal to exploit a vulnerability.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

A type of multifactor authentication that typically combines something the user knows (like a password) with something the user has (like a mobile phone).

Virus

A type of malware that attaches itself onto a host program, such as a document. It can cause serious damage to files or an entire device.

Vulnerability

A flaw or weakness in a system or device.