Top 15 Cybersecurity Terms to Know


With an increased demand for cybersecurity across every sector, it’s no surprise that the demand for cybersecurity specialists is rising as well.

It’s crucial that governments, businesses, and individuals operate with cybersecurity best practices no matter their environment. Malicious hackers can perform cyber attacks on any network, if it’s left vulnerable. Seasoned cybersecurity specialists constantly evolve to defend against the efforts of these bad actors, but, as new technologies are developed, they must evolve their defenses just as quickly. The tools and techniques used to evade these hackers will only continue to evolve. However, It is up to each individual to prioritize cybersecurity with their home, work, and mobile devices.

There is a significant need for increased cybersecurity efforts around the world. Even at home, all devices should be monitored and equipped with cybersecurity best practice. Having a significant grasp of fundamental cybersecurity terminology will help you better protect your data and private information.

15 Terms to Know

It’s important to have an understanding of information technology and cybersecurity practices that can help you keep your data safe from cyber threats. The terms and techniques detailed below will help you protect your devices, networks, and, ultimately, data without any significant effort. However, it’s crucial you take your cybersecurity seriously to maintain the privacy of your networks and ensure your private information remains secure.

  1. User Authentication – is often used to identify and validate the identity of anyone who connects to a network resource.
  2. Encryption – is the process of encoding data, by converting the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext.
  3. Antivirus – helps protect your computer against malware and cybercriminals by seeking out and removing computer viruses that have infected your computer.
  4. Malware – is any type of software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device, service or network. Examples include computer viruses, worms, and trojan horses.
  5. Firewall – is a network security system that tracks all incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules set up by an administrator.
  6. Phishing – is the fraudulent use of electronic communications to take advantage of users and collect personal information.
  7. Multi-Factor Authentication –  is a layered security system that requires more than one means of authentication (i.e. fingerprint and password) to grant access to an account or device.
  8. DoS / DDoS (Denial of Service) – is a cyber-attack in which the bad actor makes a device or network resource unavailable by flooding the services of a host connected to the Internet.
  9. Ethical Hacking – is an authorized, legal  practice of bypassing system security to locate potential data breaches and threats in a network.
  10. Ransomware – is a form of malware that locks the user out of their devices or accounts, then demands payment to restore access
  11. Cyber Attack – is any unauthorized attempt to access, alter, steal or block system or user information. 
  12. Cloud – is a storage system that allows the access of data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive.
  13. Network – is a digital telecommunications network for communication between devices that use a common telecommunications technology
  14. IoT (Internet of Things) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines or objects used and managed over a network. 
  15. Penetration Test – is an authorized simulated cyberattack on a computer system, performed to locate network vulnerabilities.

Dive into Cybersecurity

To further explore the field of cybersecurity,  you can talk to one of an NJIT admissions advisor. Find out what the day in the life of a cybersecurity professional is all about and how they use these terms on a daily basis. Call 562-359-4787.

Choosing to enroll in the New Jersey Institute of Technology Cybersecurity Bootcamp program will allow you to gain the skills and knowledge needed to acquire a career in cybersecurity in as little as a year. Individuals that complete the program will grow professionally and have all the training and skills you need to enter the workforce.

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