Shared Flashcard Set

Details

CISSP
CISSP Vocabulary
468
Other
Professional
07/28/2009

Additional Other Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Acceptable use policy (AUP)
Definition
A policy that defines what employees, contractors, and third parties are authorized to do on the organization’s IT infrastructure and its assets. AUPs are common for access to IT resources, systems, applications, Internet access, email access, and so on.
Term
Access control
Definition
Controls that monitor the flow of information between the subject and object. They ensure that only the operations permitted are performed.
Term
Access control list (ACL)
Definition
An ACL is a table or list stored by a router to control access to and from a network by helping the device determine whether to forward or drop packets that are entering or exiting it.
Term
Access creep
Definition
The result of employees moving from one position to another within an organization without losing the privileges of the old position but while gaining the additional access of the new position. Thus, over time, employees build up much more access than they should have.
Term
Access point spoofing
Definition
The act of pretending to be a legitimate access point with the purpose of tricking individuals to pass traffic by the fake connection so that it can be captured and analyzed.
Term
Accountability
Definition
The traceability of actions performed on a system to a specific system entity or user.
Term
Accreditation
Definition
Management’s formal acceptance of a system or application.
Term
ACID test
Definition
Test that addresses atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability. Programmers involved in database management use the ACID test to determine whether a database management system has been properly designed to handle transactions.
Term
Active fingerprint
Definition
An active method of identifying the operating system of a targeted computer or device that involves injecting traffic into the network.
Term
Address resolution protocol (ARP)
Definition
Protocol used to map a known IP address to an unknown physical address.
Term
Ad-hoc mode
Definition
An individual computer in ad-hoc operation mode can communicate directly to other client units. No access point is required. Ad-hoc operation is ideal for small networks of no more than 2–4 computers.
Term
Administrative law
Definition
A body of regulations, rules, orders, and decisions to carry out regulatory powers, created by administrative agencies.
Term
Algorithm
Definition
A mathematical procedure used for solving a problem. Commonly used by in cryptography.
Term
American standard code for information interchange (ASCII)
Definition
A standard code for transmitting data, consisting of 128 letters, numerals, symbols, and special codes, each of which is represented by a unique binary number. An ASCII word typically is 8 bits of binary data.
Term
Annualized loss expectancy (ALE)
Definition
A formula used to calculate a quantifiable measurement of the impact that a threat will have on an organization if it occurs. ALE is used to calculate the possible loss that could occur over a one-year period. The formula is SLE * ARO = ALE.
Term
Anomaly detection
Definition
A type of intrusion detection that looks at behaviors that are not normal with standard activity. These unusually patterns are identified as suspicious.
Term
Appenders
Definition
A virus infection type that places the virus code at the end of the infected file. Asymmetric encryption.
Term
Applet
Definition
A small Java program that can be embedded in an HTML page. Applets differ from full-fledged Java applications in that they are not allowed to access certain resources on the local computer, such as files and serial devices (modems, printers, and so on), and are prohibited from communicating with most other computers across a network. The current rule is that an applet can make an Internet connection only to the computer from which the applet was sent.
Term
Application
Definition
A software program designed to perform a specific task or group of tasks, such as word processing, communications, or database management.
Term
Application controls
Definition
A category of controls used to verify the accuracy and completeness of records made by manual or automated processes. Controls used for applications include encryption, batch totals, and data input validation.
Term
Application layer
Definition
Highest layer of the seven-layer OSI model. The application layer is used as an interface to applications or communications protocols.
Term
Application programming interface (API)
Definition
A set of system-level routines that can be used in an application program for tasks such as basic input/output and file management. In a graphics-oriented operating environment such as Microsoft Windows, high-level support for video graphics output is part of the Windows graphical API.
Term
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
Definition
A device used for logical and arithmetic operations within a computer.
Term
Artificial intelligence
Definition
Computer software that can mimic the learning capability of a human, such as reasoning and learning.
Term
Assembler
Definition
A program that converts the assembly language of a computer program into the machine language of the computer.
Term
Assessment
Definition
An evaluation and/or valuation of IT assets based on predefined measurement or evaluation criteria. This does not typically require an accounting or auditing firm to conduct an assessment such as a risk or vulnerability assessment.
Term
Asset
Definition
Anything of value owned or possessed by an individual or business.
Term
Asymmetric algorithm
Definition
A routine that uses a pair of different but related cryptographic keys to encrypt and decrypt data.
Term
Asymmetric encryption
Definition
In cryptography, an asymmetric key algorithm uses a pair of cryptographic keys to encrypt and decrypt. The two keys are related mathematically: A message encrypted by the algorithm using one key can be decrypted by the same algorithm using the other. In a sense, one key “locks” a lock (encryption), but a different key is required to unlock it (decryption).
Term
Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)
Definition
Communication technology that uses high-bandwidth, low-delay transport technology and multiplexing techniques. Through dedicated media connections, it provides simultaneous transport of voice, video, and data signals more than 50 times faster than current technology. ATM might be used in phone and computer networks of the future.
Term
Asynchronous transmission
Definition
The method whereby data is sent and received 1 byte at a time.
Term
Attenuation
Definition
Occurs with any signal and can be described as a weakening of the signal that increases as the signal travels farther from the source.
Term
Audit
Definition
A term that typically accompanies an accounting or auditing firm that conforms to a specific and formal methodology and definition for how an investigation is to be conducted with specific reporting elements and metrics being examined (such as a financial audit according to Public Accounting and Auditing Guidelines and Procedures).
Term
Audit trail
Definition
A set of records that collectively provide documentary evidence of processing used to aid in tracing from original transactions forward to related records and reports, and/or backward from records and reports to their component source transactions.
Term
Authentication
Definition
A method that enables you to identify someone. Authentication verifies the identity and legitimacy of the individual to access the system and its resources. Common authentication methods include passwords, tokens, and biometric systems.
Term
Authorization
Definition
The process of granting or denying access to a network resource based on the user’s credentials.
Term
Availability
Definition
Ensures that the systems responsible for delivering, storing, and processing data are available and accessible as needed by individuals authorized to use the resources.
Term
Backdoor
Definition
A piece of software that allows access to a computer without using the conventional security procedures. Backdoors are often associated with Trojans.
Term
Back orifice
Definition
A backdoor program that trojans the end user and gives the attacker the ability to remote control the system.
Term
Backup
Definition
Copies of programs, databases, other files, and so on are made with the purpose to restore information in case it is lost; for instance, because of a computer failure, a natural disaster, or a virus infection.
Term
Bandwidth
Definition
The range of frequencies, expressed in hertz (Hz), that can pass over a given transmission channel. The bandwidth determines the rate at which information can be transmitted through the circuit.
Term
Baseband
Definition
The name given to a transmission method in which the entire bandwidth (the rate at which information travels through a network connection) is used to transmit just one signal.
Term
Baseline
Definition
A consistent or established base used to establish a minimum acceptable level of security.
Term
Bayesian filter
Definition
A technique used to detect spam. Bayesian filters give a score to each message based on the words and numbers in a message. They are often employed by antispam software to filter spam based on probabilities. Messages with high scores are flagged as spam and can be discarded, deleted, or placed in a folder for review.
Term
Bell-LaPadula
Definition
A formal model based on confidentiality. It is defined by two basic properties: . Simple Security Property (ss Property)—This property states that a subject at one level of confidentiality is not allowed to read information at a higher level of confidentiality. It is sometimes referred to as “no read up.” . Star * Security Property—This property states that a subject at one level of confidentiality is not allowed to write information to a lower level of confidentiality. Also known as “no write down.”
Term
Benchmark
Definition
A standard test or measurement compares the performance of similar components or systems.
Term
Binary code
Definition
A sequence of 0s and 1s used by computer systems as the bases of communication.
Term
Biometrics
Definition
A method of verifying a person’s identify for authentication by analyzing a unique physical attribute of the individual such as a fingerprint, retinal scanning or palm print.
Term
Blackbox testing
Definition
This form of testing occurs when the tester has no knowledge of the target or its network structure.
Term
Block cipher
Definition
An encryption scheme in which the data is divided into fixed-size blocks, each of which is encrypted independently of the others.
Term
Blowfish
Definition
A symmetric block encryption designed in 1993.
Term
Blu-ray Disc
Definition
Designed as a replacement for DVDs. Blu-ray is a high-density optical disk that can hold audio, video, or data.
Term
Bluejacking
Definition
The act of sending unsolicited messages, pictures, or information to a Bluetooth user.
Term
Bluesnarfing
Definition
The theft of information from a wireless device through a Bluetooth connection.
Term
Bluetooth
Definition
An open standard for short-range wireless communications of data and voice between both mobile and stationary devices. Used in cell phones, PDA, laptops, and other devices.
Term
Bollard
Definition
A heavy round post used to prevent automobiles from ramming buildings or breaching physical security.
Term
Botnet
Definition
A term used to describe robot-controlled workstations that are part of a collection of other robot-controlled workstations.
Term
Bridge
Definition
A Layer 2 device for passing signals between two LANs or two segments of a LAN.
Term
Broadband
Definition
A wired or wireless transmission medium capable of supporting a wide range of frequencies, typically from audio up to video frequencies. It can carry multiple signals by dividing the total capacity of the medium into multiple, independent bandwidth channels, with each channel operating on only a specific range of frequencies.
Term
Broadcast
Definition
A type of transmission used on local and wide area networks in which all devices are sent the information from one host.
Term
Brute-force attack
Definition
A method of breaking a cipher or encrypted value by trying a large number of possibilities. Brute-force attacks function by working through all possible values. The feasibility of brute-force attacks depends on the key length and strength of the cipher and the processing power available to the attacker.
Term
Buffer
Definition
An amount of memory reserved for the temporary storage of data.
Term
Buffer overflow
Definition
In computer programming, this occurs when a software application somehow writes data beyond the allocated end of a buffer in memory. Buffer overflow is usually caused by software bugs and improper syntax and programming, thus opening or exposing the application to malicious code injections or other targeted attack commands.
Term
Bus
Definition
A common shared channel among multiple computer devices.
Term
Bus LAN configuration
Definition
A LAN network design that was developed to connect computers used for 10BASE-5 and 10BASE-2 computer networks. All computers and devices are connected along a common bus or single communication line so that transmissions by one device are received by all.
Term
Business case
Definition
A document developed to establish the merits and desirability of a project. This is the information necessary to enable.
Term
Certificate Revocation List (CRL)
Definition
approval, authorization, and policymaking bodies to assess a project proposal and reach a reasoned decision, as well as justify the commitment of resources to a project.
Term
Business continuity planning (BCP)
Definition
A system or methodology to create a plan for how an organization will resume partially or completely interrupted critical functions within a predetermined time after a disaster or disruption occurs. The goal is to keep critical functions operational.
Term
Business impact analysis (BIA)
Definition
A component of the business continuity plan. The BIA looks at all the components that an organization relies on for continued functionality. It seeks to distinguish which are more crucial than others and require a greater allocation of funds in the wake of a disaster.
Term
Capability maturity model (CMM)
Definition
A structured model designed by Carnegie Mellon’s Software Engineering Institute to improve and optimize the software development life cycle.
Term
Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)
Definition
The access method used by local area networking technologies such as ethernet.
Term
Carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD)
Definition
The access method used by local area networking technologies such as token ring.
Term
Catastrophe
Definition
A calamity or misfortune that causes the destruction of facility and data.
Term
Central processing unit (CPU)
Definition
One of the central components of a system, the CPU carries out the vast majority of the calculations performed by a computer. It can be thought of as the “brain” of a computer. The CPU is like a manager or boss, telling what the other components of the system should be doing at a given moment.
Term
Certificate
Definition
A digital certificate is a file that uniquely identifies its owner. A certificate contains owner identity information and its owner’s public key. Certificates are created by the certificate authority.
Term
Certificate Authority (CA)
Definition
Used in the PKI infrastructure to issue certificates and report status information and certificate revocation lists.
Term
Certificate Revocation List (CRL)
Definition
The certification authority’s listing of invalid certificates, such as compromised, revoked, or superceded certificates. The CRL is used during the digital signature verification process to check the validity of the certificate from which the public verification key is extracted.
Term
Certificate practice statement (CPS)
Definition
Provides a detailed explanation of how the certificate authority manages the certificates it issues and associated services such as key management. The CPS acts as a contact between the CA and users, describing the obligations and legal limitations, and setting the foundation for future audits.
Term
Certification
Definition
The technical review of the system or application.
Term
Challenge handshake authentication protocol (CHAP)
Definition
A secure method for connecting to a system. CHAP functions as follows: 1. After the authentication request is made, the server sends a challenge message to the requestor. The requestor responds with a value obtained by using a one-way hash. 2. The server then checks the response by comparing the received hash to one calculated locally by the server. 3. If the values match, the authentication is acknowledged; otherwise, the connection is terminated.
Term
Channel service unit/digital service unit (CSU/DSU)
Definition
A telecommunications device used to terminate telephone company equipment, such as a T1, and prepare data for router interface at the customer’s premises.
Term
Cipher text
Definition
Plain text or clear text is what you have before encryption and cipher text is the encrypted result that is scrambled into an illegible form.
Term
Civil law
Definition
A law that usually pertains to the settlement of disputes between individuals, organizations, or groups, and having to do with the establishment, recovery, or redress of private and civil rights. Civil law is not criminal law. It is also called tort law and is mainly for redress or recovery related to wrongdoing.
Term
Client/server
Definition
Describes the relationship between two computer programs in which one program, the client, makes a service request from another program, the server, which fulfills the request. Clients rely on servers for resources, such as files, devices, and even processing power.
Term
Clipping level
Definition
The point at which an alarm threshold or trigger occurs.
Term
Cloning
Definition
Cell phone cloning occurs when the hacker copies the electronic serial numbers from one cell phone to another, thereby duplicating the cell phone.
Term
Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
Definition
Television cameras used for video surveillance, in which all components are directly linked via cables or other direct means. A system comprising video transmitters that can feed one or more receivers the captured video. Typically used in banks, casinos, shopping centers, airports, or anywhere that physical security can be enhanced by monitoring events. Placement in these facilities is typically at locations where people enter or leave the facility, or at locations where critical transactions occur.
Term
Closed system
Definition
A system that is not “open” and, therefore, is a proprietary system. Open systems are those that employ modular designs, are widely supported, and facilitate multi-vendor, multi-technology integration.
Term
Coaxial cable
Definition
A cable composed of an insulated central conducting wire wrapped in another cylindrical conductor (the shield). The whole thing is usually wrapped in another insulating layer and an outer protective layer. A coaxial cable has great capacity to carry vast quantities of information. It is typically used in high-speed data and CATV applications.
Term
CobiT
Definition
An acronym for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology. CobiT is a framework that was designed by SACA to aid in information security best practices.
Term
Cohesion
Definition
The extent to which a system or subsystem performs a single function.
Term
Cold site
Definition
Location that contains no computing-related equipment except for environmental support such as air conditioners and power outlets, and a security system made ready for installing computer equipment.
Term
Collision
Definition
These occur when a hashing algorithm such as MD5, creates the same value for two or more different files.
Term
Combination lock
Definition
A lock that can be opened by turning dials in a predetermined sequence.
Term
Committed information rate (CIR)
Definition
Used when describing the data rate guaranteed by a Frame Rely data communications circuit.
Term
Compact disc (CD)
Definition
A means of storing video, audio, and data on an optical disk. CDs were originally designed for digital audio music.
Term
Compensating control
Definition
An internal control designed to reduce risk or weakness in an existing control.
Term
Compiler
Definition
A computer program that translates a computer program written in one computer language (called the source language) into an equivalent program written in another computer language (called the object, output, or target language).
Term
Completely connected (mesh) configuration
Definition
Type of network configuration designed so that all devices are connected to all others with many redundant interconnections between network devices.
Term
Computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
Definition
The use of software tools to assist in the development and maintenance of software. Tools used in this way are known as CASE tools.
Term
Computer incident response team (CIRT)
Definition
An organization developed to provide incident response services to victims of attacks, publish alerts concerning vulnerabilities and threats, and offer other information to help improve organizations ability to respond to computer and network security issues.
Term
Concurrency control
Definition
In computer science, or more specifically, in the field of databases, a method used to ensure that database transactions are executed in a safe manner (that is, without data loss). Concurrency control is especially applicable to database-management systems, which must ensure that transactions are executed safely and that they follow the ACID rules.
Term
Confidentiality
Definition
Data or information is not made available or disclosed to unauthorized persons.
Term
Confidentiality agreement
Definition
An agreement that employees, contractors, or third-party users must read and sign prior to being granted access rights and privileges to the organization’s IT infrastructure and its assets.
Term
Contingency planning
Definition
The process of preparing to deal with calamities and noncalamitous situations before they occur so that the effects are minimized.
Term
Continuity
Definition
The state or quality of being continuous or unbroken, without interruption and with a succession of parts intimately united.
Term
Cookies
Definition
A message from a website given to an individual’s web browser on the workstation device. The workstation browser stores this text message in a text file. The message is sent back to the web server each time that the browser goes to that website.
Term
Copyright
Definition
The legal protection given to authors or creators that protects their expressions on a specific subject against unauthorized copying. It is applied to books, paintings, movies, literary works, and any other medium of use.
Term
Corporate governance
Definition
The method by which a corporation is directed, administered, or controlled. It includes the laws and customs affecting that direction, as well as the goals for which it is governed. How objectives of an organization are set, the means of attaining such objectives, how performance-monitoring guidelines are determined, and ways to emphasize the importance of using resources efficiently are significant issues within the makeup of such method.
Term
Corrective controls
Definition
Internal controls designed to resolve problems soon after they arise.
Term
Coupling
Definition
The extent of the complexity of interconnections with other modules.
Term
Covert channel
Definition
An unintended communication path that allows a process to transfer information in such a way that violates a system’s security policy.
Term
Cracker
Definition
A term derived from “criminal hacker,” someone who acts in an illegal manner.
Term
Criminal law
Definition
Laws pertaining to crimes against the state or conduct detrimental to society. These violations of criminal statues are punishable by law and can include monitory penalties and jail time.
Term
Critical path methodology (CPM)
Definition
Determines what activities are critical and what dependencies exist among the various tasks.
Term
Criticality
Definition
The quality, state, degree, or measurement of the highest importance.
Term
Crossover error rate (CER)
Definition
The CER is a comparison measurement for different biometric devices and technologies to measure their accuracy. The CER is the point at which FAR and FRR are equal or cross over. The lower the CER, the more accurate the biometric system.
Term
Cryptographic key
Definition
A value used in the cryptographic process of encryption or decryption.
Term
Data communications
Definition
The transmission or sharing of data between computers via an electronic medium.
Term
Data custodian
Definition
Role delegated by the data owner that has the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the organization’s data.
Term
Data dictionary
Definition
A catalog of all data held in a database, or a list of items giving data names and structures.
Term
Data encryption standard (DES)
Definition
A symmetric encryption standard based on a 64-bit block. DES processes 64 bits of plain text at a time to output 64-bit blocks of cipher text. DES uses a 56-bit key and has four modes of operation. Because DES has been broken, 3DES is more commonly used.
Term
Data leakage
Definition
Any type of computer information loss. This can involve removal of information by CD, floppy, or USB thumb drive, or any other method that allows the removal or leakage of information by stealing computer reports, data, or tapes.
Term
Data owner
Definition
Usually a member of senior management of an organization who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the protection and use of the organization’s data.
Term
Data security
Definition
The science and study of methods of protecting data in computer and communications systems against unauthorized disclosure, transfer, modification, or destruction, whether accidental or intentional.
Term
Data structure
Definition
A logical relationship among data elements that is designed to support specific data-manipulation functions.
Term
Database
Definition
A collection of data that is organized and stored on a computer and can be searched and retrieved by a computer program.
Term
Database administrator (DBA)
Definition
A person (or group of people) responsible for the maintenance activities of a database, including backup and recovery, performance, and design.
Term
Database-management system (DBMS)
Definition
An integrated set of computer programs that provide the capabilities needed to establish, modify, make available, and maintain the integrity of a database.
Term
Deadman door
Definition
Two sets of doors: It allows one person to enter the first door, then, after it is closed, the second door is allowed to open. Deadman doors are used to control access and are also known as a mantrap.
Term
Decentralized computing
Definition
The act of distributing computing activities and computer processing to different locations.
Term
Decision support system (DSS)
Definition
A now-superseded term for a software application that analyzes business data and presents it so that users can make business decisions more easily.
Term
Decryption
Definition
The process of converting encrypted content into its original form, often the process of converting cipher text to plain text. Decryption is the opposite of encryption.
Term
Defense in depth
Definition
The process of multilayered security. The layers may be administrative, technical, or logical.
Term
Demilitarized zone (DMZ)
Definition
The middle ground between a trusted internal network and an untrusted, external network. Services that internal and external users must use are typically placed there such as HTTP.
Term
Denial of service (DoS)
Definition
Occurs when an attacker consumes the resources on your computer for things it was not intended to be doing, thus preventing normal use of your network resources to legitimate purposes.
Term
Destruction
Definition
Destroying data, information, or information so that it is deprived from the legitimate user.
Term
Detective controls
Definition
Controls that identify and correct undesirable events that have occurred.
Term
Device lock
Definition
Lock used to secure laptops and other devices from theft.
Term
Dial back
Definition
Can be used for personal identification. A procedure established for positively identifying a terminal that is dialing into a computer system. It works by disconnecting the calling terminal and reestablishing the connection by the computer system dialing the telephone number of the calling terminal.
Term
Dictionary attack
Definition
A type of cryptographic attack in which the attacker uses a word list or dictionary list to try to crack an encrypted password. A newer technique is to use a time/memory trade-off such as in rainbow tables.
Term
Digital certificate
Definition
Usually issued by trusted third parties that contains the name of a user or server, a digital signature, a public key, and other elements used in authentication and encryption. X.509 is the most common type.
Term
Digital signature
Definition
An electronic signature that can be used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message. A digital signature is usually created by encrypting the user’s private key and is decrypted with the corresponding public key.
Term
Digital watermark
Definition
A technique that adds hidden copyright information to a document, picture or sound file.
Term
Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
Definition
A technique used to scramble the signal of wireless devices.
Term
Disaster
Definition
A natural or man-made event that can include fire, flood, storm, and equipment failure that negatively affects an industry or facility.
Term
Disaster tolerance
Definition
The amount of time that an organization can accept the unavailability of IT facilities and services.
Term
Discretionary access control (DAC)
Definition
An access policy that allows the resource owner to determine access.
Term
Diskless workstation
Definition
A thin client that has no hard drive or local operating system. The system boots from a centralized server and stores files on a network file server.
Term
Distributed denial of service (DDoS)
Definition
Similar to DoS, except the attack is launched from multiple, distributed agent IP devices.
Term
Domain name system (DNS)
Definition
A hierarchy of Internet servers that translate alphanumeric domain names into IP addresses and vice versa. Because domain names are alphanumeric, it’s easier to remember these names than IP addresses.
Term
Downloading
Definition
Transferring information from one computer to another computer and storing it there.
Term
Downtime report
Definition
A record that tracks the amount of time that a computer or device is not operating because of a hardware or software failure.
Term
Dropper
Definition
A Trojan horse or program designed to drop a virus to the infected computer and then execute it.
Term
Due care
Definition
The standard of conduct taken by a reasonable and prudent person. When you see the term due care, think of the first letter of each word and remember “do correct” because due care is about the actions that you take to reduce risk and keep it at that level.
Term
Due diligence
Definition
The execution of due care over time. When you see the term due diligence, think of the first letter of each word and remember “do detect” because due diligence is about finding the threats an organization faces. This is accomplished by using standards, best practices, and checklists.
Term
Dumb terminal
Definition
A computer workstation or terminal that consists of a keyboard and screen, but with no processor of its own. It sends and receives its data to and from a large central computer or server.
Term
Dumpster diving
Definition
The practice of rummaging through the trash of a potential target or victim to gain useful information.
Term
Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)
Definition
The process of dynamically assigning an IP address to a host device.
Term
Eavesdropping
Definition
The unauthorized capture and reading of network traffic.
Term
Echo reply
Definition
The second part of an ICMP ping message, officially a Type 0.
Term
Echo request
Definition
The first part of an ICMP ping message, officially a Type 8.
Term
Edit controls
Definition
Manual or automated process to check for and allow the correction of data errors before processing. Edit controls detect errors in the input portion of information.
Term
Editing
Definition
To review for possible errors and make final changes, if necessary, to information in a database.
Term
Electronic code book (ECB)
Definition
A symmetric block cipher that is a form of DES. ECB is considered the weakest from of DES. When used, the same plain-text input results in the same encrypted text output.
Term
Electronic serial number (ESN)
Definition
Used to identify a specific cell phone when it is turned on a request to join a cell network.
Term
Email bomb
Definition
A hacker technique that floods the email account of the victim with useless emails.
Term
Email/interpersonal messaging
Definition
Instant messages, usually text, sent from one person to another, or to a group of people, via computer.
Term
Encapsulation (objects)
Definition
As used by layered protocols, a technique that applies to a layer adding header information to the protocol data unit (PDU) from the layer above. Basically, this refers to the capability to cover and seal an object.
Term
Encryption
Definition
The science of turning plain text into cipher text.
Term
Encryption key
Definition
A sequence of characters used by an encryption algorithm to encrypt plain text into cipher text.
Term
End-user computing
Definition
The use or development of information systems by the principal users of the systems’ outputs or by their staffs.
Term
End user licensing agreement (EULA)
Definition
This is the software license that software vendors create to protect and limit their liability as well as hold the purchaser liable for illegal pirating of the software application. The EULA typically has language in it that protects the software manufacturer from software bugs and flaws and limits the liability of the vendor.
Term
Enterprise architecture
Definition
A blueprint that defines the business structure and operation of the organization.
Term
Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Definition
ERP systems are software systems used for operational planning and administration, and for optimizing internal business processes. The best-known supplier of these systems is SAP.
Term
Enterprise vulnerability management
Definition
The overall responsibility and management of vulnerabilities within an organization and how that management of vulnerabilities will be achieved through dissemination of duties throughout the IT organization.
Term
Entity relationship diagram (ERD)
Definition
Helps map the requirements and define the relationship between elements.
Term
Ethernet
Definition
A network protocol defining a specific implementation of the physical and data link layers in the OSI model (IEEE 802.3). Ethernet is a local area network that uses a bus topology and provides reliable highspeed communications (maximum of 100 million bps) in a limited geographic area (such as an office complex or university complex).
Term
Ethical hack
Definition
A term used to describe a type of hack done to help a company or individual identify potential threats on the organizations IT infrastructure or network. Ethical hackers must obey rules or engagement, do no harm, and stay within legal boundaries.
Term
Ethical hacker
Definition
A security professional who legally attempts to break into a computer system or network to find its vulnerabilities.
Term
Evasion
Definition
The act of performing activities to avoid detection.
Term
Evidence
Definition
Gathered by an auditor during the course of an audit. The information gathered stands as proof that can support conclusions of an audit report.
Term
Exception report
Definition
A report that uses data selection based on a very specific set of circumstances to identify process exceptions. Reports that identify items with negative on-hand quantities or locations with more than one item stored in them are examples of exception reports.
Term
Exclusive-OR (XOR)
Definition
Exclusive disjunction (usual symbol XOR) is a logical operator that results in true if one, but not both, of the operands is true.
Term
Expert system
Definition
An expert system is a class of computer programs developed by researchers in artificial intelligence during the 1970s and applied commercially throughout the 1980s. In essence, they are programs made up of a set of rules that analyze information (usually supplied by the user of the system) about a specific class of problems, as well as provide analysis of the Expert system problem(s), and, depending on their design, a recommended course of user action to implement corrections.
Term
Exploit
Definition
A vulnerability in software or hardware that can be exploited by a hacker to gain access to a system or service.
Term
Exposure factor
Definition
A value calculated by determining the percentage of loss to a specific asset due to a specific threat.
Term
Extended binary coded decimal interchange code (EBCDIC)
Definition
An IBM-developed 8-bit binary code that can represent 256 characters. It allows control codes and graphics to be represented in a logical format. EBCDIC was created to represent data in particular types of data processing and communications terminal devices.
Term
Extensible authentication protocol (EAP)
Definition
A method of authentication that can support multiple authentication methods such as tokens, smart cards, certificates, and one-time passwords.
Term
Extensible markup language (XML)
Definition
An emerging standard or system for defining, validating, or sharing document formats and data distributed on the Web. XML enables authors to create customized tags that can help them efficiently achieve their goals.
Term
Extranet
Definition
A private network that uses Internet protocols and the public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business’s information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company’s intranet extended to users outside the company. An extranet requires security and privacy.
Term
Fail safe
Definition
In the logical sense, fail safe means the process of discovering a system error, terminating the process, and preventing the system from being compromised. The system enters a state in which no access is allowed. In physical systems, a fail safe refers to items such as controlled-access doors. When there is a power failure, the door “fails safe,” which means that the door unlocks and people can leave the facility; they are not locked in.
Term
False acceptance rate (FAR)
Definition
This is a type II biometric device error. It is a biometric system measurement that indicates the percentage of individuals who are incorrectly granted access. This is the worst type of error that can occur because it means that unauthorized individuals have been allowed access.
Term
False rejection rate (FRR)
Definition
This is a biometric device error that is considered a type error. It is a biometric system measurement that indicates the percentage of authorized individuals who are incorrectly denied access.
Term
Fast infection
Definition
A type of virus infection that occurs quickly.
Term
Feasibility study
Definition
A phase of an SDLC methodology that researches the feasibility and adequacy of resources for the development or acquisition of a system solution for a user’s need.
Term
Fiber-optic cable
Definition
A medium for transmission comprised of many glass fibers. Light-emitting diodes or lasers send light through the fiber to a detector that converts the light back to an electrical signal for interpretation. Advantages include huge bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and the capability to traverse long distances with minimal signal degradation.
Term
Field
Definition
In a database, the part of a record reserved for a particular type of data; for example, in a library catalog, author, title, ISBN, and subject headings would all be fields.
Term
File
Definition
Data stored as a named unit on a data storage medium. Examples include a program, a document, and a database.
Term
File allocation table (FAT)
Definition
A table or list maintained by an operating system to keep track of the status of various segments of disk used for file storage.
Term
File infector
Definition
A type of virus in which the copies itself into executable programs.
Term
File server
Definition
A high-capacity disk storage device or a computer that each computer on a network can use or access and retrieve files that can be shared among attached computers. Such computer programs can be set up to accept (or not accept) different programs running on other computers, to access the files of that computer.
Term
File type
Definition
Search for non-HTML file formats including PDF, DOC, PPT, and others.
Term
Finger
Definition
On some UNIX systems, finger identifies who is logged on and active and sometimes provides personal information about that individual.
Term
Firewall
Definition
Security system in hardware or software form used to manage and control both network connectivity and network services. Firewalls act as chokepoints for traffic entering and leaving the network and prevent unrestricted access. Firewalls can be stateful or stateless.
Term
Firmware
Definition
A computer program or software stored permanently in PROM or ROM, or semipermanently in EPROM. Software is “burned in” on the memory device so that it is nonvolatile (will not be lost when power is shut off) .
Term
First in First out (FIFO)
Definition
A method of data and information storage in which the data stored for the longest time will be retrieved first.
Term
Flooding
Definition
The process of overloading the network with traffic so that no legitimate traffic or activity can occur.
Term
Fourth-generation language (4GL)
Definition
Programming languages that are easier to use than lower-level languages such as BASIC, Assembly, or FORTRAN. 4GL languages such as SQL and Python are also known as nonprocedural, natural, or very high-level languages.
Term
Frame
Definition
Relay A type of packetswitching technology that transmits data faster than the X.25 standard. Frame Relay does not perform error correction at each computer in the network. Instead, it simply discards any messages with errors. It is up to the application software at the source and destination to perform error correction and to control for loss of messages.
Term
Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
Definition
One of the basic modulation techniques used in spread-spectrum signal transmission. FHSS is another technique used to make wireless communication harder to intercept and more resistant to interference.
Term
Function point analysis (FPA)
Definition
An ISO-approved method as a standard to estimate the complexity of software.
Term
Gap analysis
Definition
The analysis of the differences between two different states, often for the purpose of determining how to get from point A to point B. Thus the aim is to look at ways to bridge the gap.
Term
Gateway
Definition
A device that allows for the translation and management of communication between networks that use different protocols or designs. Can also be deployed in a security context to control sensitive traffic.
Term
Gold standard
Definition
Generally regarded as practices and procedures that are the best of the best.
Term
Governance
Definition
The planning, influencing, and conducting of the policy and affairs of an organization.
Term
Gray box testing
Definition
Testing that occurs with only partial knowledge of the network or is performed to see what internal users have access to.
Term
Guidelines
Definition
Much like standards, these are recommendations; they are not hard-and-fast rules.
Term
Hardware
Definition
The physical equipment of a computer system, including the central processing unit, data storage devices, terminals, and printers.
Term
Hardware keystroke logger
Definition
A form of key logger that is a hardware device. When placed in the system it is hard to detect without a physical inspection. It may be plugged into the keyboard connector or can be built into the keyboard.
Term
Hash
Definition
A cryptographic sum considered a one-way value. A hash is considerably shorter than the original text and can be used to uniquely identify it. You might have seen a hash value next to applications available for download on the Internet. By comparing the hash of the application with the one on the application vendor’s website, you can make sure that the file has not been changed or altered. MD5 and SHA-1 are examples of hashing algorithms.
Term
Hashing algorithm
Definition
Hashing is used to verify the integrity of data and messages. A well-designed hashing algorithm will examines every bit of the data while it is being condensed, and even a slight change to the data will result in a large change in the message hash. It is considered a one-way process.
Term
Hearsay
Definition
Evidence based on what a witness heard someone else say, not what the witness personally observed.
Term
Help desk
Definition
A support system designed to assist end users with technical and functional questions and problems. Also serves as technical support for hardware and software. Help desks are staffed by people who can either solve the problem directly or forward the problem to someone else. Help desk software provides the means to log problems and track them until solved. It also gives management information regarding support activities.
Term
Heuristic filter
Definition
An IDS/IPS and antispam filter technology that uses criteria based on a centralized rule database.
Term
Heuristic scanning
Definition
A from of virus scanning that looks at irregular activity by programs. As an example a heuristic scanner would flag a word processing program that attempted to format the hard drive as that is not normal activity.
Term
Hierarchical database
Definition
A database organized in a tree structure, in which each record has one owner. Navigation to individual records takes place through predetermined access paths.
Term
Honeypot
Definition
An Internet-attached server that acts as a decoy, luring in potential hackers in order to study their activities and monitor how they are able to break in to a system.
Term
Hot site
Definition
A fully prepared and configured site that is ready for use.
Term
Hub
Definition
A device used for physical connectivity in networks. It provides connectivity, amplification, and signal regeneration.
Term
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Definition
A coding technique used to create documents and web pages for the World Wide Web.
Term
IANA
Definition
A primary governing body for Internet networking. IANA oversees three key aspects of the Internet: top-level domains (TLDs), IP address allocation, and port number assignments. IANA is tasked with preserving the central coordinating functions of the Internet for the public.
Term
Identify theft
Definition
An attack in which an individual’s personal, confidential, banking, and financial identify is stolen and compromised by another individual or individuals. Use of your Social Security number without your consent or permission could result in identify theft.
Term
Impact
Definition
An attempt to identify the extent of the consequences should a given event occur.
Term
Impact assessment
Definition
A study of the potential future effects of a development project on current projects and resources. The resulting document should list the pros and cons of pursuing a specific course of action.
Term
Independence
Definition
The state or quality of being free from subjection or the influence, control, or guidance of individuals, things, or situations. Auditors and examining officials and their respective organizations must maintain neutrality and exercise objectivity so that opinions, judgments, conclusions, and recommendations on examined allegations are impartial and are viewed as impartial by disinterested third parties.
Term
Indexed sequential access method (ISAM)
Definition
A combination or compromise between indexed blocks of data arranged sequentially within each block; used for storing data for fast retrieval.
Term
Inference
Definition
The ability to deduce information about data or activities to which the subject does not have access.
Term
Inference attack
Definition
This form of attack relies on the attacker’s ability to make logical connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information.
Term
Information-processing facility (IPF)
Definition
The areas where information is processed, usually the computer room and support areas.
Term
Information technology security evaluation criteria (ITSEC)
Definition
A European standard that was developed in the 1980s to evaluate confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an entire system.
Term
Infrastructure mode
Definition
A form of wireless networking in which wireless stations communicate with each other by first going through an access point.
Term
Inherent risk
Definition
The susceptibility of an audit area to error, which could be material, individual, or in combination with other errors, assuming that there are no related internal controls.
Term
Initial sequence number
Definition
A number defined during a TCP startup session.
Term
Input controls
Definition
Computer controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized before processed by the computer; that transactions are accurately converted to machine readable form and recorded in the computer; that data files and transactions are not lost, added, duplicated or improperly changed; and that incorrect transactions are rejected, corrected, and, if necessary, resubmitted on a timely basis.
Term
Insecure computing habits
Definition
The bad habits that employees, contractors, and third-party users have accumulated over the years can be attributed to the organization’s lack of security awareness training, lack of security controls, and lack of any security policies or acceptable use policies (AUPs) .
Term
Integrated services digital network (ISDN)
Definition
A system that provides simultaneous voice and high-speed data transmission through a single channel to the user’s premises. ISDN is an international standard for end-to-end digital transmission of voice, data, and signaling.
Term
Integrity
Definition
One of the three items considered part of the security triad; the others are confidentiality and availability. It is used to verify the accuracy and completeness of an item.
Term
Internet
Definition
An interconnected system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol.
Term
Internet assigned numbers authority (IANA)
Definition
An organization dedicated to preserving the central coordinating functions of the global Internet for the public good. Used by hackers and security specialists to track down domain owners and their contact details.
Term
Internet control message protocol (ICMP)
Definition
Part of TCP/IP that supports diagnostics and error control. Ping is a type of ICMP message.
Term
Internet engineering task force (IETF)
Definition
A large open, international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet. It is open to any interested individual. The IETF is the protocol-engineering and development arm of the Internet.
Term
Internet packet spoofing (IP spoofing)
Definition
A technique used to gain unauthorized access to computers or in denial or service attacks. Newer routers and firewall arrangements can offer protection against IP spoofing.
Term
Internet Protocol (IP)
Definition
One of the key protocols of TCP/IP. The IP protocol is found at Layer 3 (network layer) of the OSI model.
Term
Intrusion detection
Definition
A key component of security that includes prevention, detection, and response. It is used to detect anomalies or known patterns of attack.
Term
Intrusion detection system (IDS)
Definition
A network-monitoring device typically installed at Internet ingress/egress points used to inspect inbound and outbound network activity and identify suspicious patterns that might indicate a network or system attack from someone attempting to break into or compromise a system.
Term
IPSec
Definition
An IETF standard used to secure TCP/IP traffic. It can be implemented to provide integrity and confidentiality.
Term
Irregularities
Definition
Intentional violations of established management policy, or deliberate misstatements, or omissions of information concerning the area under audit or the organization as a whole.
Term
IT asset
Definition
Information technology asset such as hardware, software, or data.
Term
IT asset valuation
Definition
The act of putting a monetary value to an IT asset.
Term
IT infrastructure
Definition
A general term to encompass all information technology assets (hardware, software, data), components, systems, applications, and resources.
Term
IT security architecture and framework
Definition
A document that defines the policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines for information security.
Term
Just a bunch of disks (JBOD)
Definition
A technique that is somewhat like RAID in that two or more hard drives are combined into one storage array. However, JBOD offers none of the fault tolerance advantages of RAID.
Term
Key exchange protocol
Definition
A protocol used to exchange secret keys for the facilitation of encrypted communication. Diffie-Hellman is an example of a key exchange protocol.
Term
Kilo lines of code (KLOC)
Definition
A technique used to determine the cost of software development based solely on the length of code.
Term
Last in first out (LIFO)
Definition
A dataprocessing method that applies to buffers. The last item in the buffer is the first to be removed.
Term
Latency
Definition
The delay that it takes one packet to travel from one node to another.
Term
Lattice-based access control (LBAC)
Definition
A lattice-based access-control model was developed to deal with confidentiality and integrity. It places an upper and lower boundary on subjects and objects.
Term
Librarian
Definition
The individual in the corporation responsible for storing, safeguarding, and maintaining data, programs, and computer information.
Term
Limit check
Definition
Test of specified amount fields against stipulated high or low limits of acceptability. When both high and low values are used, the test can be called a range check. MD5 23
Term
Local area network (LAN)
Definition
A group of wired or wireless computers and associated devices that share a common communications line and typically share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building).
Term
Log
Definition
In computing, the log is equivalent to the history log of ships. The log is an automatic system that records significant events. The files that contain these records are called log files. Generally, the log is a file; what is written on it is a record.
Term
Logic bomb
Definition
One of the most dangerous types of malware in that it waits for a predetermined event or an amount of time to execute its payload. Typical used by disgruntled employees for an insider attack.
Term
Log on
Definition
The process of identifying yourself to your computer or an online service; the initial identification procedure to gain access to a system as a legitimate user. The usual requirements are a valid username (or user ID) and password.
Term
MAC filtering
Definition
A method of controlling access on a wired or wireless network by denying access to an device that their MAC address does not match one that is on a pre-approved list.
Term
Macro infector
Definition
A type of computer virus that infects macro files. I Love You and Melissa are both examples of macro viruses.
Term
Man-in-the-middle attack
Definition
A type of attack in which the attacker can read, insert, and change information being passed between two parties without either party knowing that the information has been compromised.
Term
Mandatory access control (MAC)
Definition
A means of restricting access to objects based on the sensitivity (as represented by a label) of the information contained in the objects and the formal authorization (such as clearance) of subjects to access information of such sensitivity.
Term
Man-made threats
Definition
Threats caused by humans such as hacker attacks, terrorism, or destruction of property.
Term
Mantrap
Definition
A turnstile or other gated apparatus used to detain an individual between a trusted state and an untrusted state for authentication.
Term
Massive array of inactive disks (MAID)
Definition
A large array of hard drives that are kept inactive until needed.
Term
Master boot record infector
Definition
A virus that infects a master boot record.
Term
Materiality
Definition
An expression of the relative significance or importance of a particular matter in the context of the organization as a whole.
Term
Media access control (MAC)
Definition
The hard-coded address of the physical layer device that is attached to the network. All network interface controllers must have a hard-coded and unique MAC address. The MAC address is 48 bits long.
Term
Message switching
Definition
A strategy that enables communication channels to be used simultaneously by more than one node. At each transfer point in the connection, incoming data is stored in its entirety and then forwarded to the next point. This process continues until the data reaches its destination.
Term
Methodology
Definition
A set of documented procedures used for performing activities in a consistent, accountable, and repeatable manner.
Term
Middleware
Definition
Software that “glues together” two or more types of software (for example, two applications, their operating systems, and the network on which everything works) by translating information between them and exchanging this information over a network without both interacting applications being aware of the middleware.
Term
Minimum acceptable level of risk
Definition
The stake that an organization defines for the seven areas of information security responsibility. Depending on the goals and objectives for maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the IT infrastructure and its assets, the minimum level of acceptable risk will dictate the amount of information security.
Term
Mobile site
Definition
Portable dataprocessing facility transported by trailers to be quickly moved to a business location. Typically used by insurance companies and the military, these facilities provide a ready-conditioned information processing facility that can contain servers, desktop computers, communications equipment, and even microwave and satellite data links.
Term
Modem
Definition
device used to connect a computer to an analog phone line. Modems use the process of modulation.
Term
Modulation
Definition
Used by modems to convert a digital computer signal into an analog telecommunications signal.
Term
Moore’s law
Definition
The belief that processing power of computers will double about every 18 months due to the rise in the number of transistors doubling per square inch.
Term
Multicast
Definition
The process of sending a computer packet to a group of recipients.
Term
Multipartite virus
Definition
A virus that attempts to attack both the boot sector and executable files.
Term
Natural threats
Definition
Threat posed by nature; for example, fire, floods, and storms.
Term
Network address translation (NAT)
Definition
A method of connecting multiple computers to the Internet using one IP address so that many private addresses are being converted to a single public address.
Term
Network administrator
Definition
The individual responsible for the installation, management, and control of a network. When problems with the network arise, this is the person to call.
Term
Network operations center (NOC)
Definition
An organization’s help desk or interface to its end users where trouble calls, questions, and trouble tickets are generated.
Term
Noise
Definition
Any unwanted signal, such as static, that interferes with the clarity of data being transmitted, thus creating the possibility that the receiver will receive a misconstrued message.
Term
Nonattribution
Definition
The act of not providing a reference to a source of information.
Term
Nonrepudiation
Definition
A system or method put in place to ensure that an individual cannot deny his own actions.
Term
Off-site storage
Definition
A storage facility that is not located at the organization’s primary facility. The idea behind off-site storage is to protect information and damage that might occur at the primary facility. Off-site storage facilities are used to store computer media, backup data, and files.
Term
One-time pad
Definition
An encryption mechanism that can be used only once and that is, theoretically, unbreakable. One-time pads function by combining plain text with a random pad that is the same length as the plain text.
Term
Open shortest path first (OSPF)
Definition
A routing protocol that determines the best path for routing IP traffic over a TCP/IP network. It uses less router-to-router update traffic than the RIP protocol that it has been designed to replace.
Term
Open source
Definition
Based on the GNU General Public License. Software that is open source is released under an open source license or to the public domain. The source code can be seen and can be modified.
Term
Operation system (OS) identification
Definition
The practice of identifying the operating system of a networked device through either passive or active techniques.
Term
Operational control
Definition
Day-to-day controls that are used for normal daily operation of the organization. Operational controls ensure that normal operational objectives are achieved.
Term
Outsourcing
Definition
A contract arrangement between a third party and the organization for services such as web hosting, application development, or data processing.
Term
Packet or packet data unit (PDU)
Definition
A block of data sent over the network that transmits the identities of the sending and receiving stations, for error control.
Term
Packet filter
Definition
A form of stateless inspection performed by some firewalls and routers.
Term
Packet switching
Definition
A data transmission method that divides messages into standard-sized packets for greater efficiency in routing and transporting them through a network.
Term
Paper shredder
Definition
A hardware device used for destroying paper and documents by shredding to prevent dumpster diving.
Term
Paper test
Definition
A type of disaster recovery test that reviews the steps of the test without actually performing the steps. This type of disaster recovery test is normally used to help team members review the proposed plan and become familiar with the test and its objectives.
Term
Parallel testing
Definition
A mode of testing in which a stream of data is fed into two systems to allow processing by both so that the results can be compared.
Term
Passive (OS) fingerprint
Definition
A passive method of identifying the OS of a targeted computer or device. No traffic or packets are injected into the network attackers simply listen to and analyze existing traffic.
Term
Password authentication protocol (PAP)
Definition
A form of authentication in which clear text usernames and passwords are passed.
Term
Patent
Definition
Exclusive rights granted by the federal government to an inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling his or her invention.
Term
Pattern matching
Definition
A method used by IDS systems to identify malicious traffic. It is also called signature matching and works by matching traffic against signatures stored in a database.
Term
Penetration test
Definition
A method of evaluating the security of a network or computer system by simulating an attack by a malicious hacker but without doing harm and with the owner’s consent.
Term
Personal area network (PAN)
Definition
Used when discussing Bluetooth devices; refers to the connection that can be made with Bluetooth between these various devices.
Term
Personal digital assistant (PDA)
Definition
A handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, and networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, and personal organizer. Many PDAs incorporate handwriting and/ or voice-recognition features. PDAs also are called palmtops, handheld computers, and pocket computers.
Term
Phishing
Definition
The act of misleading or conning an individual into releasing and providing personal and confidential information to an attacker masquerading as a legitimate individual or business.
Term
Phreaker
Definition
An Individual who hacks phone systems or phone-related equipment. Phreakers predate computer hackers.
Term
Piggybacking
Definition
A method of gaining unauthorized access into a facility by following an authorized employee through a controlled access point or door.
Term
Ping sweep
Definition
The process of sending ping requests to a series of devices or to the entire range of networked devices.
Term
Policy
Definition
A high-level document that dictates management intentions toward security.
Term
Polyinstantiation
Definition
Prevents inference violations by allowing different versions of information items to exist at different classification levels. For example, an unclassified Navy officer might want information about a ship and might discover that it has left port and is bound for Europe. A Navy officer with classified access then might access the same database and discover that the ship has left port, but is really bound for Iraq.
Term
Polymorphic virus
Definition
A virus that is capable of change and self-mutation.
Term
Port
Definition
Ports are used by protocols and applications. Port numbers are divided into three ranges including: Well-Known Ports, Registered Ports, and Dynamic and/or Private Ports. Well-Known Ports are those from 0 through 1023. Registered Ports are those from 1024 through 49151, and Dynamic and/or Private Ports are those from 49152 through 65535.
Term
Post office protocol (POP)
Definition
A commonly implemented method of delivering email from the mail server to the client machine. Other methods include IMAP and Microsoft Exchange.
Term
Prepender
Definition
A virus type that adds the virus code to the beginning of existing executables.
Term
Pretexting
Definition
Collecting information about a person under false pretenses.
Term
Preventative controls
Definition
Controls that reduce risk and are used to prevent undesirable events from happening.
Term
Principle of deny all
Definition
A process of securing logical or physical assets by first denying all access and then allowing access only on a case-by case basis.
Term
Privacy impact analysis
Definition
The process of reviewing the information held by the corporation and assessing the damage that would result if sensitive or personal information were lost, stolen, or divulged.
Term
Probability
Definition
The likelihood of an event happening.
Term
Procedure
Definition
A detailed, in-depth, step-by-step document that lays out exactly what is to be done and how it is to be accomplished.
Term
Program evaluation and review technique (PERT)
Definition
A planning and control tool representing, in diagram form, the network of tasks required to complete a project, establishing sequential dependencies and relationships among the tasks.
Term
Protocol
Definition
A set of formalized rules that describe how data is transmitted over a network. Low-level protocols define the electrical and physical standard, whereas high-level protocols deal with formatting of data. TCP and IP are examples of high-level LAN protocols.
Term
Prototyping
Definition
The process of quickly putting together a working model (a prototype) to test various aspects of the design, illustrate ideas or features, and gather early user feedback. Prototyping is often treated as an integral part of the development process, where it is believed to reduce project risk and cost.
Term
Proxy server
Definition
Proxy servers stand in place of and are a type of firewall. They are used to improve performance and for added security. A proxy server intercepts all requests to the real server to see whether it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request to the real server.
Term
Public key encryption
Definition
An encryption scheme that uses two keys. In an email transaction, the public key encrypts the data and a corresponding private key decrypts the data. Because the private key is never transmitted or publicized, the encryption scheme is extremely secure. For digital signatures, the process is reversed: The sender uses the private key to create the digital signature, which anyone who has access to the corresponding public key can read.
Term
Public key infrastructure (PKI)
Definition
Infrastructure used to facilitate e-commerce and build trust. PKI consists of hardware, software, people, policies, and procedures; it is used to create, manage, store, distribute, and revoke public key certificates. PKI is based on publickey cryptography.
Term
Qualitative analysis
Definition
A weighted factor or nonmonetary evaluation and analysis based on a weighting or criticality factor valuation as part of the evaluation or analysis.
Term
Quantitative analysis
Definition
A numerical evaluation and analysis based on monetary or dollar valuation as part of the evaluation or analysis.
Term
Qualitative assessment
Definition
An analysis of risk that places the probability results into terms such as none, low, medium, and high.
Term
Qualitative risk assessment
Definition
A scenario–based assessment in which one scenario is examined and assessed for each critical or major threat to an IT asset.
Term
Quantitative risk assessment
Definition
A methodical, step-by-step calculation of asset valuation, exposure to threats, and the financial impact or loss in the event of the threat being realized.
Term
Queue
Definition
Any group of items, such as computer jobs or messages, waiting for service.
Term
Radio frequency identification (RFID)
Definition
A set of components that include a reader and a small device referred to as a tag. The tag can be used to hold information for inventory, management, tracking, or other purposes. RFID provides a method to transmit and receive data over a short range from one point to another.
Term
Record
Definition
A collection of data items or fields treated as one unit.
Term
Recovery point objective (RPO)
Definition
The point in time to which data must be restored to resume processing transactions. RPO is the basis on which a data protection strategy is developed.
Term
Recovery testing
Definition
Testing aimed at verifying the system’s capability to recover from varying degrees of failure.
Term
Recovery time objective (RTO)
Definition
During the execution of disaster recovery or business continuity plans, the time goal for the reestablishment and recovery of a business function or resource.
Term
Red team
Definition
A group of ethical hackers who help organizations to explore network and system vulnerabilities by means of penetration testing.
Term
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
Definition
A type of fault tolerance and performance improvement for disk drives that employ two or more drives in combination.
Term
Registration authority (RA)
Definition
An entity responsible for the identification and authentication of the PKI certificate. The RA is not responsible for signing or issuing certificates. The most common for of certificate is the X.509 standard.
Term
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
Definition
A client/server protocol and software that allows remote-access servers to communicate. Used in wireless systems such as 802.1x.
Term
Repeater
Definition
A network device used to regenerate or replicate a signal. Repeaters are used in transmission systems to regenerate analog or digital signals distorted by transmission loss.
Term
Repository
Definition
A central place where data is stored and maintained. A repository can be a place where multiple databases or files are located for distribution over a network, or it can be a location that is directly accessible to the user without having to travel across a network.
Term
Required vacations
Definition
A security control used to uncover misuse or illegal activity by requiring employees to use their vacation.
Term
Reverse engineering
Definition
The process of taking a software program apart and analyzing its workings in detail, usually to construct a new device or program that does the same thing without actually copying anything from the original.
Term
Rijndael
Definition
A symmetric encryption algorithm chosen to be the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
Term
Ring topology
Definition
A topology used by token ring and FDDI networks in which all devices are connected in a ring. Data packets in a ring topology are sent in a deterministic fashion from sender and receiver to the next device in the ring.
Term
Risk
Definition
The subjective measure of the potential for harm that can result from the action of a person or thing.
Term
Risk acceptance
Definition
An informed decision to suffer the consequences of likely events.
Term
Risk assessment
Definition
A process for evaluating the exposure or potential loss or damage to the IT and data assets for an organization.
Term
Risk avoidance
Definition
A decision to take action to avoid a risk.
Term
Risk management
Definition
The overall responsibility and management of risk within an organization. Risk management is the responsibility and dissemination of roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for risk in an organization.
Term
Risk transference
Definition
Shifting the responsibility or burden to another party or individual.
Term
Rogue access point
Definition
An 802.11 access point that has been set up by an attacker for the purpose of diverting legitimate users so that their traffic can be sniffed or manipulated.
Term
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Definition
A type of discretionary access control in which users are placed into groups to facilitate management. This type of access control is widely used by banks and casinos.
Term
Rotation of assignment
Definition
A security mechanism that moves employees from one job to another so that one person does not stay in one position forever. This makes it harder for an employee to hide malicious activity.
Term
Rounding down
Definition
A method of computer fraud that involves rounding down dollar amounts so that small amounts of money are stolen. As an example, the value $1,199.50 might be rounded down to $1,199.00.
Term
Router
Definition
A device that determines the next network point to which a data packet should be forwarded enroute toward its destination. The router is connected to at least two networks and determines which way to send each data packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to. Routers create or maintain a table of the available routes and use this information to determine the best route for a given data packet. Routing occurs at Layer 3 (network layer) of the OSI seven-layer model.
Term
Routing information protocol (RIP)
Definition
A widely used distance-vector protocol that determines the best route by hop count.
Term
Rule-based access control (RBAC)
Definition
A type of mandatory access control that matches objects to subjects. It dynamically assigns roles to subjects based on their attributes and a set of rules defined by a security policy.
Term
Scope creep
Definition
This is the uncontrolled change in the projects scope. It causes the assessment to drift away form its original scope and result in budget and schedule overruns.
Term
Script kiddie
Definition
The lowest form of cracker that looks for easy targets or well-worn vulnerabilities.
Term
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Definition
Developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents via the Internet. It works by using a private key to encrypt data that is transferred over the SSL connection. It is widely used and accepted by Netscape and Internet Explorer. Very similar to transport layer security (TLS).
Term
Security breach or security incident
Definition
The result of a threat or vulnerability being exploited by an attacker.
Term
Security bulletin
Definition
A memorandum or message from a software vendor or manufacturer documenting a known security defect in the software or application itself. Security bulletins are typically accompanied with instructions for loading a software patch to mitigate the security defect or software vulnerability.
Term
Security by obscurity
Definition
The controversial use of secrecy to ensure security.
Term
Security controls
Definition
Policies, standards, procedures, and guideline definitions for various security control areas or topics.
Term
Security countermeasure
Definition
A security hardware or software technology solution that is deployed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT assets that need protection.
Term
Security kernel
Definition
A combination of software, hardware, and firmware that makes up the Trusted Computer Base (TCB). The TCB mediates all access, must be verifiable as correct, and is protected from modification.
Term
Security testing
Definition
Techniques used to confirm the design and/or operational effectiveness of security controls implemented within a system. Examples include attack and penetration studies to determine whether adequate controls have been implemented to prevent breach-of-system controls and processes, and password strength testing by using tools such as password crackers.
Term
Separation of duties
Definition
Given the seven areas of information security responsibility, separation of duties defines the roles, tasks, responsibilities, and accountabilities for information security uniquely for the different duties of the IT staff and IT security staff.
Term
Service level agreement (SLA)
Definition
A contractual agreement between an organization and its service provider. SLAs define and protect the organization in regard to holding the service provider accountable for the requirements as defined in the agreement.
Term
Service Set ID (SSID)
Definition
The SSID is a sequence of up to 32 letters or numbers that is the ID, or name, of a wireless local area network and is used to differentiate networks.
Term
SHA-1
Definition
A hashing algorithm that produces a 160-bit output.
Term
Shoulder surfing
Definition
The act of looking over someone’s shoulder to steal their password
Term
Signature scanning
Definition
One of the most basic ways of scanning for computer viruses, it works by comparing suspect files and programs to signatures of known viruses stored in a database.
Term
Simple network management protocol (SNMP)
Definition
An application layer protocol that facilitates the exchange of management information between network devices. Version one uses well-known community strings of public and private.
Term
Single loss expectancy (SLE)
Definition
A dollar value figure that represents an organization’s loss from a single loss or loss of this particular IT asset.
Term
Site survey
Definition
The process of determining the optimum placement of wireless access points. The objective of the site survey is to create an accurate wireless system design/ layout and budgetary quote.
Term
Smurf attack
Definition
A DDoS attack where an attacker transmits large amounts of ICMP echo request (ping) packets to a targeted IP destination device using the targeted destination’s IP source address. This is called spoofing the IP source address. IP routers and other IP devices that respond to broadcasts will respond back to the targeted IP device with ICMP echo replies, thus multiplying the amount of bogus traffic.
Term
Sniffer
Definition
A hardware or software device that can be used to intercept and decode network traffic.
Term
Social engineering
Definition
The practice of tricking employees into revealing sensitive data about their computer system or infrastructure. This type of attack targets people and is the art of human manipulation. Even when systems are physically well protected, social engineering attacks are possible.
Term
Software bug or software flaw
Definition
An error in software coding or its design that can result in software vulnerability.
Term
Software vulnerability standard
Definition
A standard that accompanies an organization’s vulnerability assessment and management policy. This standard typically defines the organization’s vulnerability window definition and how the organization is to provide software vulnerability management and software patch management throughout the enterprise.
Term
Source code
Definition
A nonexecutable program written in a high-level language. A compiler or assembler must translate the source code into an object code (machine language) that the computer can understand.
Term
Spam
Definition
Also known as spamming. The use of any electronic communication’s medium to send unsolicited messages in bulk. Spamming is a major irritation of the Internet era.
Term
Spoofing
Definition
The act of masking your identity and pretending to be someone else or another device. Common spoofing methods include ARP, DNS, and IP. Is also implemented by email in what is described as phishing schemes.
Term
Spyware
Definition
Any software application that covertly gathers information about a user’s Internet usage and activity and then exploits this information by sending adware and pop-up ads similar in nature to the user’s Internet usage history.
Term
Stateful inspection
Definition
An advanced firewall architecture that works at the network layer and can keep track of packet activity. Unlike static packet filtering, which examines a packet based on the information in its header, stateful inspection tracks each connection traversing all interfaces of the firewall and makes sure they are valid. One example is a DNS reply that has just been received actually in response to a DNS request.
Term
Statistical sampling
Definition
The selection of sample units from a population, and the measurement and/or recording of information on these units, to obtain estimates of population characteristics.
Term
Steganography
Definition
A cryptographic method of hiding the existence of a message. A commonly used form places information in pictures.
Term
Storage area network (SAN)
Definition
A high-speed subnetwork that interconnects different data-storage devices with associated data servers for a large network. SANs support disk mirroring, backup and restore, archival and retrieval of archived data, data migration from one storage device to another, and the sharing of data among different servers in a network.
Term
Stream cipher
Definition
Encrypts data typically one byte at a time.
Term
Structured query language (SQL)
Definition
The standardized relational database language for querying, manipulating, and updating information in a relational database.
Term
Supply chain management (SCM)
Definition
Intercompany planning control and monitoring of central functions such as procurement, production, and sales to increase their efficiency.
Term
Switch
Definition
Operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model. A device that links several separate LANs and provides packet filtering among them. A LAN switch is a device with multiple ports, each of which can support an entire Ethernet or token ring LAN.
Term
Symmetric algorithm
Definition
Both parties use the same cryptographic key.
Term
Symmetric encryption
Definition
An encryption standard that requires all parties to have a copy of a shared key. A single key is used for both encryption and decryption.
Term
SYN flood attack
Definition
A DDoS attack where the attacker sends a succession of SYN packets with a spoof address to a targeted destination IP device, but does not send the last ACK packet to acknowledge and confirm receipt. This leaves half-open connections between the client and the server until all resources are absorbed, rendering the server or targeted IP destination device unavailable because of resource allocation to this attack.
Term
Synchronize sequence number
Definition
Initially passed to the other party at the start of the three-step startup, it is used to track the movement of data between parties. Every byte of data sent over a TCP connection has a sequence number.
Term
Synchronous transmission
Definition
A method of communication in which data is sent in blocks, without the need for start and stop bits between each byte. Synchronization is achieved by sending a clock signal along with the data and by sending special bit patterns to denote the start of each block.
Term
System software
Definition
The software that controls the operations of a computer system. It is a group of programs instead of one program. The operating system controls the hardware in the computer and peripherals, manages memory and files and multitasking functions, and is the interface between applications programs and the computer.
Term
System testing
Definition
Bringing together all the programs that a system comprises, for testing purposes. Programs are typically integrated in a top-down, incremental fashion.
Term
System development life cycle (SDLC)
Definition
A method for developing information systems. It has five main stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Each stage has several components; for example, the development stage includes programming Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (coding, including internal documentation, debugging, testing, and documenting) and acquiring equipment (selection, acquisition [purchase or lease], and testing).
Term
Terminal Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS)
Definition
A UDPbased access control protocol that provides authentication, authorization, and accountability.
Term
Target of engagement (TOE)
Definition
The TOE is the assessment or pen test target.
Term
TCP handshake
Definition
A three-step process computers go through when negotiating a connection with one another. The process is a target of attackers and others with malicious intent.
Term
Telecommunications
Definition
Systems that transport information over a distance, sending and receiving audio, video, and data signals through electronic means.
Term
Test data
Definition
Data that is run through a computer program to test the software. Test data can be used to test compliance with controls in the software.
Term
Threat
Definition
Any agent, condition, or circumstance that could potentially cause harm, loss, damage, or compromise to an IT asset or data asset.
Term
Throughput
Definition
The amount of data transferred from one place to another or processed in a specified amount of time. Data transfer rates for disk drives and networks are measured in terms of throughput. Typically, throughputs are measured in kilobits per second, megabits per second, and gigabits per second.
Term
Time-to-live (TTL)
Definition
A counter used within an IP packet that specifies the maximum number of hops that a packet can traverse. When a TTL is decremented to zero, a packet expires.
Term
Traceroute
Definition
A way of tracing hops or computers between the source and target computer you are trying to reach. Gives the path the packets are taking.
Term
Trademark
Definition
Legal protection for a logo, name, or characteristic that can be identified as exclusive.
Term
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Definition
One of the main protocols of IP. It is used for reliability and guaranteed delivery of data.
Term
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Definition
A collection of protocols used to provide the basis for Internet and World Wide Web services.
Term
Trapdoor function
Definition
One-way function that describes how asymmetric algorithms function
Term
Trojan
Definition
A Trojan is a program that does something undocumented that the programmer or designer intended, but that the end user would not approve of if he knew about it.
Term
Trusted computer base (TCB)
Definition
All the protection mechanisms within a computer system. This includes hardware, firmware, and software that are responsible for enforcing a security policy.
Term
Trusted computer system evaluation criteria (TCSEC)
Definition
The United States Department of Defense Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria, also called theOrange Book. TCSEC is a system designed to evaluate standalone systems that places systems into one of four levels: A, B, C, or D. Its basis of measurement is confidentiality.
Term
Trusted network interpretation (TNI)
Definition
Also known as the Red Book. A document that is part of the Rainbow Series.
Term
Tumbling
Definition
The process of rolling through various electronic serial numbers on a cell phone to attempt to find a valid set to use.
Term
Tunneling
Definition
A technology that enables one network to send its data via another network’s connections. Tunneling works by encapsulating a network protocol within packets carried by the second network. For example, Microsoft’s PPTP technology enables organizations to use the Internet to transmit data across a VPN. It does this by embedding its own network protocol within the TCP/IP packets carried by the Internet. Tunneling is also called encapsulation. Can also be used covertly, as with STUNNEL and other programs.
Term
Turnstile
Definition
A one-way gate or access control mechanism used to limit traffic and control the flow of people.
Term
Uniform resource locator (URL)
Definition
A URL is the global address on the Internet and World Wide Web where domain names are used to resolve IP addresses.
Term
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
Definition
A device designed to provide a backup power supply during a power failure. Basically, a UPS is a battery backup system with an ultra-fast sensing device.
Term
Universal serial bus (USB)
Definition
A specification standard for connecting peripherals to a computer. It can connect up to 127 devices to a computer and transfers data at a slower rate, a maximum of 12Mbps.
Term
User datagram protocol (UDP)
Definition
A connectionless protocol that provides very few error recovery services, but offers a quick and direct way to send and receive datagrams.
Term
Utility programs
Definition
A standard set of routines that assist in the operation of a computer system by performing some frequently required process, such as copying, sorting, or merging.
Term
Vandalism
Definition
The willful of the destruction of property.
Term
Verification
Definition
The process of confirming that data is correct and accurate before it is processed or entered.
Term
Virtual private network (VPN)
Definition
A private network that uses a public network to connect remote sites and users.
Term
Virus
Definition
A computer program with the capability to generate copies of itself and thereby spread. Viruses usually require the interaction of an individual and can have rather benign results, such as flashing a message to the screen, or rather malicious results that destroy data, systems, integrity, or availability.
Term
Virus hoax
Definition
A chain letter designed to trick you into forwarding to many other people warning of a virus that does not exist. The Good Times virus is an example.
Term
Voice over IP (VolP)
Definition
The capability to convert voice or fax calls into data packets for transmission over the Internet or other IP-based networks.
Term
Vulnerability
Definition
The absence or weakness of a safeguard in an asset.
Term
Vulnerability assessment
Definition
A methodical evaluation of an organization’s IT weaknesses of infrastructure components and assets and how those weaknesses can be mitigated through proper security controls and recommendations to remediate exposure to risks, threats, and vulnerabilities.
Term
Vulnerability management
Definition
The overall responsibility and management of vulnerabilities within an organization and how that management of vulnerabilities will be achieved through dissemination of duties throughout the IT organization.
Term
War chalking
Definition
The act of marking on the wall or sidewalk near a building to indicate it has wireless access.
Term
War dialing
Definition
The process of using a software program to automatically call thousands of telephone numbers to look for any that have a modem attached.
Term
War driving
Definition
The process of driving around a neighborhood or area to identify wireless access points.
Term
Warm site
Definition
An alternative computer facility that is partially configured and can be made ready in a few days.
Term
White box testing
Definition
A security assessment of penetration test in which all aspects of the network are known.
Term
Wide area network (WAN)
Definition
Network that spans the distance between buildings, cities, and even countries. WANs are LANs connected using wide area network services from telecommunications carriers; they typically use technologies such as standard phone lines—called plain old telephone service (POTS) or public switched telephone network (PSTN)—Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), or other high-speed services.
Term
Wi-Fi protected access (WPA)
Definition
A security standard for wireless networks designed to be more secure than WEP. Developed from the draft 802.11i standard.
Term
Wired equivalent privacy (WEP)
Definition
WEP is based on the RC4 encryption scheme. It was designed to provide the same level of security as that of a wired LAN. Because of 40-bit encryption and problems with the initialization vector, it was found to be insecure.
Term
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Definition
Process orientated; shows what activities need to be completed in a hierarchical manner.
Term
Worm
Definition
A self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable codes, programs, or documents. Worms typically flood a network with traffic and result in a denial of service.
Term
Wrapper
Definition
A type of program used to bind a Trojan program to a legitimate program. The objective is to trick the user into running the wrapped program and installing the Trojan.
Term
Written authorization
Definition
One of the most important parts of the ethical hack. It gives you permission to perform the tests agreed to by the client.
Term
Zone transfer
Definition
The mechanism used by DNS servers to update each other by transferring Resource Record. IT should be a controlled process between to DNS servers but is something that hackers will attempt to perform to steal the organization’s DNS information. It can be used to map the network devices.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!