Term
Acceptable interruption
window |
|
Definition
The maximum period of time that a system can be unavailable before compromising the achievement of the
enterprise's business objectives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A policy that establishes an agreement between users and the enterprise and defines for all parties' the
ranges of use that are approved before gaining access to a network or the Internet |
|
|
Term
| Access control list (ACL) |
|
Definition
An internal computerized table of access rules regarding the levels of computer access permitted to logon
IDs and computer terminals
Scope Note: Also referred to as access control tables |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The logical route that an end user takes to access computerized information
Scope Note: Typically includes a route through the operating system, telecommunications software,
selected application software and the access control system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The permission or privileges granted to users, programs or workstations to create, change, delete or view
data and files within a system, as defined by rules established by data owners and the information security
policy |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ability to map a given activity or event back to the responsible party |
|
|
Term
Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES) |
|
Definition
| A public algorithm that supports keys from 128 bits to 256 bits in size |
|
|
Term
Advanced persistent
threat (APT) |
|
Definition
An adversary that possesses sophisticated levels of expertise and significant resources which allow it to
create opportunities to achieve its objectives using multiple attack vectors (NIST SP800-61)
Scope Note: The APT:
1. pursues its objectives repeatedly over an extended period of time
2. adapts to defenders’ efforts to resist it
3. is determined to maintain the level of interaction needed to execute its objectives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A software package that automatically plays, displays or downloads advertising material to a computer after
the software is installed on it or while the application is being used
Scope Note: In most cases, this is done without any notification to the user or without the user’s consent.
The term adware may also refer to software that displays advertisements, whether or not it does so with the
user’s consent; such programs display advertisements as an alternative to shareware registration fees.
These are classified as adware in the sense of advertising supported software, but not as spyware. Adware
in this form does not operate surreptitiously or mislead the user, and it provides the user with a specific
service. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The point in an emergency procedure when the elapsed time passes a threshold and the interruption is not
resolved. The enterprise entering into an alert situation initiates a series of escalation steps. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Locations and infrastructures from which emergency or backup processes are executed, when the main
premises are unavailable or destroyed
Scope Note: Includes other buildings, offices or data processing centers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Automatic or manual process designed and established to continue critical business processes from point-offailure
to return-to-normal |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A transmission signal that varies continuously in amplitude and time and is generated in wave formation
Scope Note: Analog signals are used in telecommunications |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A technology widely used to prevent, detect and remove many categories of malware, including computer
viruses, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, malicious browser plug-ins, adware and spyware |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An application software deployed at multiple points in an IT architecture
It is designed to detect and potentially eliminate virus code before damage is done and repair or quarantine
files that have already been infected |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
In the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model, the application layer provides services
for an application program to ensure that effective communication with another application program in a
network is possible.
Scope Note: The application layer is not the application that is doing the communication; a service layer that
provides these services. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Description of the fundamental underlying design of the components of the business system, or of one
element of the business system (e.g., technology), the relationships among them, and the manner in which
they support enterprise objectives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Something of either tangible or intangible value that is worth protecting, including people, information,
infrastructure, finances and reputation |
|
|
Term
Asymmetric key (public
key) |
|
Definition
A cipher technique in which different cryptographic keys are used to encrypt and decrypt a message
Scope Note: See Public key encryption |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An actual occurrence of an adverse event |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A method used to deliver the exploit. Unless the attacker is personally performing the attack, an attack
mechanism may involve a payload, or container, that delivers the exploit to the target. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A path or route used by the adversary to gain access to the target (asset)
Scope Note: There are two types of attack vectors: ingress and egress (also known as data exfiltration) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Reduction of signal strength during transmission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A visible trail of evidence enabling one to trace information contained in statements or reports back to the
original input source |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. The act of verifying identity (i.e., user, system)
Scope Note: Risk: Can also refer to the verification of the correctness of a piece of data
2. The act of verifying the identity of a user and the user’s eligibility to access computerized information
Scope Note: Assurance: Authentication is designed to protect against fraudulent logon activity. It can also
refer to the verification of the correctness of a piece of data. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A means of regaining access to a compromised system by installing software or configuring existing
software to enable remote access under attacker-defined conditions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The range between the highest and lowest transmittable frequencies. It equates to the transmission capacity
of an electronic line and is expressed in bytes per second or Hertz (cycles per second). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| System heavily fortified against attacks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A security technique that verifies an individual’s identity by analyzing a unique physical attribute, such as a
handprint |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A public algorithm that operates on plaintext in blocks (strings or groups) of bits |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A term derived from “robot network;” is a large automated and distributed network of previously
compromised computers that can be simultaneously controlled to launch large-scale attacks such as a
denial-of-service attack on selected victims |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Logical and physical controls to define a perimeter between the organization and the outside world |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Data link layer device developed in the early 1980s to connect local area networks (LANs) or create two
separate LAN or wide area network (WAN) network segments from a single segment to reduce collision
domains
Scope Note: A bridge acts as a store-and-forward device in moving frames toward their destination. This is
achieved by analyzing the MAC header of a data packet, which represents the hardware address of an NIC. |
|
|
Term
Bring your own device
(BYOD) |
|
Definition
An enterprise policy used to permit partial or full integration of user-owned mobile devices for business
purposes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A method to distribute information to multiple recipients simultaneously |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A class of algorithms that repeatedly try all possible combinations until a solution is found |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Repeatedly trying all possible combinations of passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is found |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Occurs when a program or process tries to store more data in a buffer (temporary data storage area) than it
was intended to hold
Scope Note: Since buffers are created to contain a finite amount of data, the extra information—which has
to go somewhere—can overflow into adjacent buffers, corrupting or overwriting the valid data held in them.
Although it may occur accidentally through programming error, buffer overflow is an increasingly common
type of security attack on data integrity. In buffer overflow attacks, the extra data may contain codes
designed to trigger specific actions, in effect sending new instructions to the attacked computer that could,
for example, damage the user's files, change data, or disclose confidential information. Buffer overflow
attacks are said to have arisen because the C programming language supplied the framework, and poor
programming practices supplied the vulnerability. |
|
|
Term
Business continuity plan
(BCP) |
|
Definition
A plan used by an enterprise to respond to disruption of critical business processes. Depends on the
contingency plan for restoration of critical systems |
|
|
Term
Business impact
analysis/assessment
(BIA) |
|
Definition
Evaluating the criticality and sensitivity of information assets
An exercise that determines the impact of losing the support of any resource to an enterprise, establishes
the escalation of that loss over time, identifies the minimum resources needed to recover, and prioritizes the
recovery of processes and the supporting system
Scope Note: This process also includes addressing:
-Income loss
-Unexpected expense
-Legal issues (regulatory compliance or contractual)
-Interdependent processes
-Loss of public reputation or public confidence |
|
|
Term
Certificate (Certification)
authority (CA) |
|
Definition
A trusted third party that serves authentication infrastructures or enterprises and registers entities and issues
them certificates |
|
|
Term
Certificate revocation list
(CRL) |
|
Definition
An instrument for checking the continued validity of the certificates for which the certification authority (CA)
has responsibility
Scope Note: The CRL details digital certificates that are no longer valid. The time gap between two updates
is very critical and is also a risk in digital certificates verification. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A legal principle regarding the validity and integrity of evidence. It requires accountability for anything that
will be used as evidence in a legal proceeding to ensure that it can be accounted for from the time it was
collected until the time it is presented in a court of law.
Scope Note: Includes documentation as to who had access to the evidence and when, as well as the ability
to identify evidence as being the exact item that was recovered or tested. Lack of control over evidence can
lead to it being discredited. Chain of custody depends on the ability to verify that evidence could not have
been tampered with. This is accomplished by sealing off the evidence, so it cannot be changed, and
providing a documentary record of custody to prove that the evidence was at all times under strict control
and not subject to tampering |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A mathematical value that is assigned to a file and used to “test” the file at a later date to verify that the data
contained in the file has not been maliciously changed
Scope Note: A cryptographic checksum is created by performing a complicated series of mathematical
operations (known as a cryptographic algorithm) that translates the data in the file into a fixed string of digits
called a hash value, which is then used as the checksum. Without knowing which cryptographic algorithm
was used to create the hash value, it is highly unlikely that an unauthorized person would be able to change
data without inadvertently changing the corresponding checksum. Cryptographic checksums are used in
data transmission and data storage. Cryptographic checksums are also known as message authentication
codes, integrity check-values, modification detection codes or message integrity codes. |
|
|
Term
Chief Information
Security Officer (CISO) |
|
Definition
| The person in charge of information security within the enterprise |
|
|
Term
Chief Security Officer
(CSO) |
|
Definition
| The person usually responsible for all security matters both physical and digital in an enterprise |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An algorithm to perform encryption |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Information generated by an encryption algorithm to protect the plaintext and that is unintelligible to the
unauthorized reader. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Data that is not encrypted. Also known as plaintext |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of resources that can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The situation that occurs when two or more demands are made simultaneously on equipment that can
handle only one at any given instant (Federal Standard 1037C) |
|
|
Term
Common Attack Pattern
Enumeration and
Classification (CAPEC) |
|
Definition
A catalogue of attack patterns as “an abstraction mechanism for helping describe how an attack against
vulnerable systems or networks is executed” published by the MITRE Corporation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process for protecting very-high value assets or in environments where trust is an issue. Access to an
asset requires two or more processes, controls or individuals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Adherence to, and the ability to demonstrate adherence to, mandated requirements defined by laws and
regulations, as well as voluntary requirements resulting from contractual obligations and internal policies |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Policies, standard and procedures that document the actions that are required or prohibited. Violations may
be subject to disciplinary actions. |
|
|
Term
Computer emergency
response team (CERT) |
|
Definition
A group of people integrated at the enterprise with clear lines of reporting and responsibilities for standby
support in case of an information systems emergency
This group will act as an efficient corrective control, and should also act as a single point of contact for all
incidents and issues related to information systems. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The application of the scientific method to digital media to establish factual information for judicial review
Scope Note: This process often involves investigating computer systems to determine whether they are or
have been used for illegal or unauthorized activities. As a discipline, it combines elements of law and
computer science to collect and analyze data from information systems (e.g., personal computers, networks,
wireless communication and digital storage devices) in a way that is admissible as evidence in a court of
law. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Preserving authorized restrictions on access and disclosure, including means for protecting privacy and
proprietary information |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The control of changes to a set of configuration items over a system life cycle |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A new model in which emerging technologies are first embraced by the consumer market and later spread to
the business |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Actions taken to limit exposure after an incident has been identified and confirmed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Controlling access to a network by analyzing the contents of the incoming and outgoing packets and either
letting them pass or denying them based on a list of rules
Scope Note: Differs from packet filtering in that it is the data in the packet that are analyzed instead of the
attributes of the packet itself (e.g., source/target IP address, transmission control protocol [TCP] flags) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The means of managing risk, including policies, procedures, guidelines, practices or organizational
structures, which can be of an administrative, technical, management, or legal nature.
Scope Note: Also used as a synonym for safeguard or countermeasure.
See also Internal control. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any process that directly reduces a threat or vulnerability |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Systems whose incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating effect on the economic security of an
enterprise, community or nation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The importance of a particular asset or function to the enterprise, and the impact if that asset or function is
not available |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An analysis to evaluate resources or business functions to identify their importance to the enterprise, and
the impact if a function cannot be completed or a resource is not available |
|
|
Term
Cross-site scripting
(XSS) |
|
Definition
A type of injection, in which malicious scripts are injected into otherwise benign and trusted web sites
Scope Note: Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks occur when an attacker uses a web application to send
malicious code, generally in the form of a browser side script, to a different end user. Flaws that allow these
attacks to succeed are quite widespread and occur anywhere a web application uses input from a user
within the output it generates without validating or encoding it. (OWASP) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The art of designing, analyzing and attacking cryptographic schemes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A pair of algorithms that take a key and convert plaintext to ciphertext and back |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An investigator of activities related to computer crime |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Activities conducted in the name of security, business, politics or technology to find information that ought to
remain secret. It is not inherently military. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The protection of information assets by addressing threats to information processed, stored, and transported
by internetworked information systems |
|
|
Term
Cybersecurity
architecture |
|
Definition
Describes the structure, components and topology (connections and layout) of security controls within an
enterprise's IT infrastructure
Scope Note: The security architecture shows how defense-in-depth is implemented and how layers of
control are linked and is essential to designing and implementing security controls in any complex
environment. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Activities supported by military organizations with the purpose to threat the survival and well-being of
society/foreign entity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The assignment of a level of sensitivity to data (or information) that results in the specification of controls for
each level of classification. Levels of sensitivity of data are assigned according to predefined categories as
data are created, amended, enhanced, stored or transmitted. The classification level is an indication of the
value or importance of the data to the enterprise. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The individual(s) and department(s) responsible for the storage and safeguarding of computerized data |
|
|
Term
Data Encryption
Standard (DES) |
|
Definition
An algorithm for encoding binary data
Scope Note: It is a secret key cryptosystem published by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), the
predecessor of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). DES and its variants has
been replaced by the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Siphoning out or leaking information by dumping computer files or stealing computer reports and tapes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The individual(s), normally a manager or director, who has responsibility for the integrity, accurate reporting
and use of computerized data |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Refers to the policies that govern data and records management for meeting internal, legal and regulatory
data archival requirements |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A stored collection of related data needed by enterprises and individuals to meet their information
processing and retrieval requirements |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process of distributing computer processing to different locations within an enterprise |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A technique used to recover the original plaintext from the ciphertext so that it is intelligible to the reader
The decryption is a reverse process of the encryption. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A digital piece of information used to recover plaintext from the corresponding ciphertext by decryption |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The practice of layering defenses to provide added protection
Defense in depth increases security by raising the effort needed in an attack. This strategy places multiple
barriers between an attacker and an enterprise's computing and information resources. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A screened (firewalled) network segment that acts as a buffer zone between a trusted and untrusted
network
Scope Note: A DMZ is typically used to house systems such as web servers that must be accessible from
both internal networks and the Internet. |
|
|
Term
Denial-of-service attack
(DoS) |
|
Definition
An assault on a service from a single source that floods it with so many requests that it becomes
overwhelmed and is either stopped completely or operates at a significantly reduced rate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A piece of information, a digitized form of signature, that provides sender authenticity, message integrity and
non-repudiation. A digital signature is generated using the sender’s private key or applying a one-way hash
function. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of identifying, preserving, analyzing and presenting digital evidence in a manner that is legally
acceptable in any legal proceedings |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A piece of information, a digitized form of signature, that provides sender authenticity, message integrity and
non-repudiation
A digital signature is generated using the sender’s private key or applying a one-way hash function. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. A sudden, unplanned calamitous event causing great damage or loss. Any event that creates an inability
on an enterprise's part to provide critical business functions for some predetermined period of time. Similar
terms are business interruption, outage and catastrophe.
2. The period when enterprise management decides to divert from normal production responses and
exercises its disaster recovery plan (DRP). It typically signifies the beginning of a move from a primary
location to an alternate location. |
|
|
Term
Disaster recovery plan
(DRP) |
|
Definition
A set of human, physical, technical and procedural resources to recover, within a defined time and cost, an
activity interrupted by an emergency or disaster |
|
|
Term
Discretionary access
control (DAC) |
|
Definition
A means of restricting access to objects based on the identity of subjects and/or groups to which they
belong
Scope Note: The controls are discretionary in the sense that a subject with a certain access permission is
capable of passing that permission (perhaps indirectly) on to any other subject. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A hierarchical database that is distributed across the Internet that allows names to be resolved into IP
addresses (and vice versa) to locate services such as web and e-mail servers |
|
|
Term
Domain name system
(DNS) exfiltration |
|
Definition
Tunneling over DNS to gain network access. Lower-level attack vector for simple to complex data
transmission, slow but difficult to detect. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The level of care expected from a reasonable person of similar competency under similar conditions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The performance of those actions that are generally regarded as prudent, responsible and necessary to
conduct a thorough and objective investigation, review and/or analysis |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Dynamic and/or private ports--49152 through 65535: Not listed by IANA because of their dynamic nature. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Listening a private communication without permission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The processes by which enterprises conduct business electronically with their customers, suppliers and
other external business partners, using the Internet as an enabling technology
Scope Note: E-commerce encompasses both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C)
e-commerce models, but does not include existing non-Internet e-commerce methods based on private
networks such as electronic data interchange (EDI) and Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial
Telecommunication (SWIFT). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Network communications going out |
|
|
Term
Elliptical curve
cryptography (ECC) |
|
Definition
An algorithm that combines plane geometry with algebra to achieve stronger authentication with smaller
keys compared to traditional methods, such as RSA, which primarily use algebraic factoring.
Scope Note: Smaller keys are more suitable to mobile devices. |
|
|
Term
Encapsulation security
payload (ESP) |
|
Definition
Protocol, which is designed to provide a mix of security services in IPv4 and IPv6. ESP can be used to
provide confidentiality, data origin authentication, connectionless integrity, an anti-replay service (a form of
partial sequence integrity), and (limited) traffic flow confidentiality. (RFC 4303)
Scope Note: The ESP header is inserted after the IP header and before the next layer protocol header
(transport mode) or before an encapsulated IP header (tunnel mode). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of taking an unencrypted message (plaintext), applying a mathematical function to it (encryption
algorithm with a key) and producing an encrypted message (ciphertext) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A mathematically based function or
calculation that encrypts/decrypts data |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A piece of information, in a digitized form, used by an encryption algorithm to convert the plaintext to the
ciphertext |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
When containment measures have been deployed after an incident occurs, the root cause of the incident
must be identified and removed from the network.
Scope Note: Eradication methods include: restoring backups to achieve a clean state of the system,
removing the root cause, improving defenses and performing vulnerability analysis to find further potential
damage from the same root cause. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A popular network protocol and cabling scheme that uses a bus topology and carrier sense multiple
access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) to prevent network failures or collisions when two devices try to
access the network at the same time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Something that happens at a specific place and/or time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Information that proves or disproves a stated issue
2. Information that an auditor gathers in the course of performing an IS audit; relevant if it pertains to the
audit objectives and has a logical relationship to the findings and conclusions it is used to support
Scope Note: Audit perspective |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Full use of a vulnerability for the benefit of an attacker |
|
|
Term
File Transfer Protocol
(FTP) |
|
Definition
A protocol used to transfer files over a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network
(Internet, UNIX, etc.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A system or combination of systems that enforces a boundary between two or more networks, typically
forming a barrier between a secure and an open environment such as the Internet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of collecting, assessing, classifying and documenting digital evidence to assist in the
identification of an offender and the method of compromise |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Software available free of charge |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A device (router, firewall) on a network that serves as an entrance to another network |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Ensures that stakeholder needs, conditions and options are evaluated to determine balanced, agreed-on
enterprise objectives to be achieved; setting direction through prioritization and decision making; and
monitoring performance and compliance against agreed-on direction and objectives
Scope Note: Conditions can include the cost of capital, foreign exchange rates, etc. Options can include
shifting manufacturing to other locations, sub-contracting portions of the enterprise to third-parties, selecting
a product mix from many available choices, etc. |
|
|
Term
Governance, Risk
Management and
Compliance (GRC) |
|
Definition
A business term used to group the three close-related disciplines responsible for the protection of assets,
and operations |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A description of a particular way of accomplishing something that is less prescriptive than a procedure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An individual who attempts to gain unauthorized access to a computer system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An algorithm that maps or translates one set of bits into another (generally smaller) so that a message yields
the same result every time the algorithm is executed using the same message as input
Scope Note: It is computationally infeasible for a message to be derived or reconstituted from the result
produced by the algorithm or to find two different messages that produce the same hash result using the
same algorithm. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The total of any numeric data field in a document or computer file
This total is checked against a control total of the same field to facilitate accuracy of processing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Using a hash function (algorithm) to create hash valued or checksums that validate message integrity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An exploitation of a valid network session for unauthorized purposes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A specially configured server, also known as a decoy server, designed to attract and monitor intruders in a
manner such that their actions do not affect production systems
Scope Note: Also known as "decoy server" |
|
|
Term
Horizontal defense-in
depth |
|
Definition
Controls are placed in various places in the path to access an asset (this is functionally equivalent to
concentric ring model above). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A common connection point for devices in a network, hubs are used to connect segments of a local area
network (LAN)
Scope Note: A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports
so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A person prepared to act as a network layer of defense through education and awareness |
|
|
Term
Hypertext Transfer
Protocol Secure
(HTTPS) |
|
Definition
| A protocol for accessing a secure web server, whereby all data transferred are encrypted. |
|
|
Term
Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP) |
|
Definition
A communication protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web. Its primary function is to
establish a connection with a web server and transmit hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible
markup language (XML) or other pages to client browsers |
|
|
Term
| IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) |
|
Definition
| An organization composed of engineers, scientists and students Scope Note: Best known for developing standards for the computer and electronics industry |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A family of specifications developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for
wireless local area network (WLAN) technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between a
wireless client and a base station or between two wireless clients. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process that allows one to obtain a bit-for-bit copy of data to avoid damage of original data or information
when multiple analyses may be performed.
Scope Note: The imaging process is made to obtain residual data, such as deleted files, fragments of
deleted files and other information present, from the disk for analysis. This is possible because imaging
duplicates the disk surface, sector by sector. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
for analysis. This is possible because imaging
duplicates the disk surface, sector by sector.
Impact |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A study to prioritize the criticality of information resources for the enterprise based on costs (or
consequences) of adverse events
In an impact analysis, threats to assets are identified and potential business losses determined for different
time periods. This assessment is used to justify the extent of safeguards that are required and recovery time
frames. This analysis is the basis for establishing the recovery strategy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition
Incident Any event that is not part of the standard operation of a service and that causes, or may cause, an
interruption to, or a reduction in, the quality of that service |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The response of an enterprise to a disaster or other significant event that may significantly affect the
enterprise, its people, or its ability to function productively
An incident response may include evacuation of a facility, initiating a disaster recovery plan (DRP),
performing damage assessment, and any other measures necessary to bring an enterprise to a more stable
status. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The operational component of incident management
Scope Note: The plan includes documented procedures and guidelines for defining the criticality of
incidents, reporting and escalation process, and recovery procedures. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Ensures that within the enterprise, information is protected against disclosure to unauthorized users
(confidentiality), improper modification (integrity), and non-access when required (availability) |
|
|
Term
Information security
program |
|
Definition
The overall combination of technical, operational and procedural measures and management structures
implemented to provide for the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information based on business
requirements and risk analysis |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The combination of strategic, managerial and operational activities involved in gathering, processing, storing,
distributing and using information and its related technologies
Scope Note: Information systems are distinct from information technology (IT) in that an information system
has an IT component that interacts with the process components. |
|
|
Term
Infrastructure as a
Service (IaaS) |
|
Definition
Offers the capability to provision processing, storage, networks and other fundamental computing resources,
enabling the customer to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems (OSs) and
applications |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process to convert information extracted to a format that can be understood by investigators.
Scope Note: See also Normalization. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Network communications coming in |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The risk level or exposure without taking into account the actions that management has taken or might take
(e.g., implementing controls) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A general term for attack types which consist of injecting code that is then interpreted/executed by the
application. (OWASP) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An asset that is not physical in nature
Scope Note: Examples include: intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, processes), goodwill,
and brand recognition |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The guarding against improper information modification or destruction, and includes ensuring information
non-repudiation and authenticity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Intangible assets that belong to an enterprise for its exclusive use
Scope Note: Examples include: patents, copyrights, trademarks, ideas, and trade secrets. |
|
|
Term
International Standards
Organization (ISO) |
|
Definition
| The world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards |
|
|
Term
Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority
(IANA) |
|
Definition
Responsible for the global coordination of the DNS root, IP addressing, and other Internet protocol
resources |
|
|
Term
Internet Control
Message Protocol
(ICMP) |
|
Definition
A set of protocols that allow systems to communicate information about the state of services on other
systems
Scope Note: For example, ICMP is used in determining whether systems are up, maximum packet sizes on
links, whether a destination host/network/port is available. Hackers typically use (abuse) ICMP to determine
information about the remote site. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Specifies the format of packets and the addressing scheme |
|
|
Term
Internet Protocol (IP)
packet spoofing |
|
Definition
An attack using packets with the spoofed source Internet packet (IP) addresses.
Scope Note: This technique exploits applications that use authentication based on IP addresses. This
technique also may enable an unauthorized user to gain root access on the target system. |
|
|
Term
Internet service provider
(ISP) |
|
Definition
A third party that provides individuals and enterprises with access to the Internet and a variety of other
Internet-related services |
|
|
Term
Internetwork Packet
Exchange/Sequenced
Packet Exchange
(IPX/SPX) |
|
Definition
IPX is layer 3 of the open systems interconnect (OSI) model network protocol; SPX is layer 4 transport
protocol. The SPX layer sits on top of the IPX layer and provides connection-oriented services between two
nodes on the network. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Used to obtain prior indicators or relationships, including telephone numbers, IP addresses and names of
individuals, from extracted data |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Individual or group gaining access to the network and it's resources without permission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of monitoring the events occurring in a computer system or network to detect signs of
unauthorized access or attack |
|
|
Term
Intrusion detection
system (IDS) |
|
Definition
Inspects network and host security activity to identify suspicious patterns that may indicate a network or
system attack |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A preemptive approach to network security used to identify potential threats and respond to them to stop, or
at least limit, damage or disruption |
|
|
Term
Intrusion prevention
system (IPS) |
|
Definition
A system designed to not only detect attacks, but also to prevent the intended victim hosts from being
affected by the attacks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The collection and analysis of evidence with the goal to identifying the perpetrator of an attack or
unauthorized use or access |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A unique binary number used to identify devices on a TCP/IP network |
|
|
Term
IP Authentication Header
(AH) |
|
Definition
Protocol used to provide connectionless integrity and data origin authentication for IP datagrams (hereafter
referred to as just "integrity") and to provide protection against replays. (RFC 4302).
Scope Note: AH ensures data integrity with a checksum that a message authentication code, such as MD5,
generates. To ensure data origin authentication, AH includes a secret shared key in the algorithm that it
uses for authentication. To ensure replay protection, AH uses a sequence number field within the IP
authentication header. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A set of protocols developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to support the secure exchange
of packets |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The responsibility of executives and the board of directors; consists of the leadership, organizational
structures and processes that ensure that the enterprise’s IT sustains and extends the enterprise's
strategies and objectives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Used for execution of privileged instructions for the internal operation of the system. In kernel mode, there
are no protections from errors or malicious activity and all parts of the system and memory are accessible. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The size of the encryption key measured in bits |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A subset of risk indicators that are highly relevant and possess a high probability of predicting or indicating
important risk
Scope Note: See also Risk Indicator. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Software used to record all keystrokes on a computer |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The time it takes a system and network delay to respond
Scope Note: More specifically, system latency is the time that a system takes to retrieve data. Network
latency is the time it takes for a packet to travel from the source to the final destination. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Data link level devices that can divide and interconnect network segments and help to reduce collision
domains in Ethernet-based networks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Switches with operating capabilities at layer 3 and layer 4 of the open systems interconnect (OSI) model.
These switches look at the incoming packet’s networking protocol, e.g., IP, and then compare the
destination IP address to the list of addresses in their tables, to actively calculate the best way to send a
packet to its destination. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Used for load balancing among groups of servers
Scope Note: Also known as content-switches, content services switches, web-switches or applicationswitches. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Outdated computer systems |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The probability of something happening |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Communication network that serves several users within a specified geographic area
Scope Note: A personal computer LAN functions as a distributed processing system in which each
computer in the network does its own processing and manages some of its data. Shared data are stored in a
file server that acts as a remote disk drive for all users in the network. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
To record details of information or events in an organized record-keeping system, usually sequenced in the
order in which they occurred |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Ability to interact with computer resources granted using identification, authentication and authorization. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The policies, procedures, organizational structure and electronic access controls designed to restrict access
to computer software and data files |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Represents the hardware address of an network interface controller (NIC) inside a data packet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An electronic mail (e-mail) server that relays messages so that neither the sender nor the recipient is a local
user |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A large high-speed computer, especially one supporting numerous workstations or peripherals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Short for malicious software
Designed to infiltrate, damage or obtain information from a computer system without the owner’s consent
Scope Note: Malware is commonly taken to include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware and
adware. Spyware is generally used for marketing purposes and, as such, is not malicious, although it is
generally unwanted. Spyware can, however, be used to gather information for identity theft or other clearly
illicit purposes. |
|
|
Term
Mandatory access
control (MAC) |
|
Definition
A means of restricting access to data based on varying degrees of security requirements for information
contained in the objects and the corresponding security clearance of users or programs acting on their
behalf |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An attack strategy in which the attacker intercepts the communication stream between two parts of the
victim system and then replaces the traffic between the two components with the intruder’s own, eventually
assuming control of the communication |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A computerized technique of blocking out the display of sensitive information, such as passwords, on a
computer terminal or report |
|
|
Term
Media access control
(MAC) address |
|
Definition
| A unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment |
|
|
Term
Message authentication
code |
|
Definition
An American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard checksum that is computed using Data
Encryption Standard (DES) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A smaller extrapolated version of the original message created using a message digest algorithm |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Message digest algorithms are SHA1, MD2, MD4 and MD5. These algorithms are one-way functions unlike
private and public key encryption algorithms.
Scope Note: All digest algorithms take a message of arbitrary length and produce a 128-bit message digest. |
|
|
Term
Metropolitan area
network (MAN) |
|
Definition
| A data network intended to serve an area the size of a large city |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Using this method, an attacker fragments the IP packet into smaller ones and pushes it through the firewall,
in the hope that only the first of the sequence of fragmented packets would be examined and the others
would pass without review. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An alternate site that contains the same information as the original
Scope Note: Mirrored sites are set up for backup and disaster recovery and to balance the traffic load for
numerous download requests. Such download mirrors are often placed in different locations throughout the
Internet. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A small, handheld computing devices, typically having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature
keyboard and weighing less than two pounds |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The use of a mobile/temporary facility to serve as a business resumption location
The facility can usually be delivered to any site and can house information technology and staff. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Rules outlining or delineating the way in which information about the use of computers, networks,
applications and information is captured and interpreted |
|
|
Term
| Multifactor authentication |
|
Definition
A combination of more than one authentication method, such as token and password (or personal
identification number [PIN] or token and biometric device). |
|
|
Term
National Institute for
Standards and
Technology (NIST) |
|
Definition
Develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof-of concept implementations, and technical analyses to
advance the development and productive use of information technology
Scope Note: NIST is a US government entity that creates mandatory standards that are followed by federal
agencies and those doing business with them. |
|
|
Term
Network address
translation (NAT) |
|
Definition
A methodology of modifying network address information in IP datagram packet headers while they are in
transit across a traffic routing device for the purpose of remapping one IP address space into another |
|
|
Term
Network basic
input/output system
(NetBIOS) |
|
Definition
A program that allows applications on different computers to communicate within a local area network
(LAN). |
|
|
Term
Network basic
input/output system
(NetBIOS) |
|
Definition
A program that allows applications on different computers to communicate within a local area network
(LAN). |
|
|
Term
Network interface card
(NIC) |
|
Definition
A communication card that when inserted into a computer, allows it to communicate with other computers on
a network
Scope Note: Most NICs are designed for a particular type of network or protocol. |
|
|
Term
Network news transfer
protocol (NNTP) |
|
Definition
Used for the distribution, inquiry, retrieval, and posting of Netnews articles using a reliable stream-based
mechanism. For news-reading clients, NNTP enables retrieval of news articles that are stored in a central
database, giving subscribers the ability to select only those articles they wish to read. (RFC 3977) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A common technique to implement network security is to segment an organization’s network into separate
zones that can be separately controlled, monitored and protected. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Identifies patterns in network communications
Scope Note: Traffic analysis does not need to have the actual content of the communication but analyzes
where traffic is taking place, when and for how long communications occur and the size of information
transferred |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The use of transported probes or traces to assemble information, track traffic and identify vulnerabilities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The assurance that a party cannot later deny originating data; provision of proof of the integrity and origin of
the data and that can be verified by a third party
Scope Note: A digital signature can provide non-repudiation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The elimination of redundant data |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The deliberate act of creating source or machine code that is difficult for humans to understand |
|
|
Term
Open Systems
Interconnect (OSI)
model |
|
Definition
A model for the design of a network. The open systems interconnect (OSI) model defines groups of
functionality required to network computers into layers. Each layer implements a standard protocol to
implement its functionality. There are seven layers in the OSI model. |
|
|
Term
Open Web Application
Security Project
(OWASP) |
|
Definition
An open community dedicated to enabling organizations to conceive, develop, acquire, operate, and
maintain applications that can be trusted |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A master control program that runs the computer and acts as a scheduler and traffic controller
Scope Note: The operating system is the first program copied into the computer’s memory after the
computer is turned on; it must reside in memory at all times. It is the software that interfaces between the
computer hardware (disk, keyboard, mouse, network, modem, printer) and the application software (word
processor, spreadsheet, e-mail), which also controls access to the devices and is partially responsible for
security components and sets the standards for the application programs that run in it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Represents the consequences of actions previously taken; often referred to as a lag indicator
Scope Note: Outcome measure frequently focuses on results at the end of a time period and characterize
historic performance. They are also referred to as a key goal indicator (KGI) and used to indicate whether
goals have been met. These can be measured only after the fact and, therefore, are called "lag indicators." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A formal agreement with a third party to perform IS or other business functions for an enterprise |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Data unit that is routed from source to destination in a packet-switched network
Scope Note: A packet contains both routing information and data. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) is such a packet-switched network. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Controlling access to a network by analyzing the attributes of the incoming and outgoing packets and either
letting them pass, or denying them, based on a list of rules |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process of transmitting messages in convenient pieces that can be reassembled at the destination |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A response option in intrusion detection in which the system simply reports and records the problem
detected, relying on the user to take subsequent action |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A protected, generally computer-encrypted string of characters that authenticate a computer user to the
computer system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A tool that tests the strength of user passwords by searching for passwords that are easy to guess
It repeatedly tries words from specially crafted dictionaries and often also generates thousands (and in some
cases, even millions) of permutations of characters, numbers and symbols. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Fixes to software programming errors and vulnerabilities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An area of systems management that involves acquiring, testing and installing multiple patches (code
changes) to an administered computer system in order to maintain up-to-date software and often to address
security risk
Scope Note: Patch management tasks include the following: maintaining current knowledge of available
patches; deciding what patches are appropriate for particular systems; ensuring that patches are installed
properly; testing systems after installation; and documenting all associated procedures, such as specific
configurations required. A number of products are available to automate patch management tasks. Patches
are sometimes ineffective and can sometimes cause more problems than they fix. Patch management
experts suggest that system administrators take simple steps to avoid problems, such as performing
backups and testing patches on non-critical systems prior to installations. Patch management can be viewed
as part of change management. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The section of fundamental data in a transmission. In malicious software this refers to the section containing
the harmful data/code. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A live test of the effectiveness of security defenses through mimicking the actions of real-life attackers |
|
|
Term
Personal identification
number (PIN) |
|
Definition
A type of password (i.e., a secret number assigned to an individual) that, in conjunction with some means of
identifying the individual, serves to verify the authenticity of the individual
Scope Note: PINs have been adopted by financial institutions as the primary means of verifying customers
in an electronic funds transfer (EFT) system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
This is a type of electronic mail (e-mail) attack that attempts to convince a user that the originator is genuine,
but with the intention of obtaining information for use in social engineering
Scope Note: Phishing attacks may take the form of masquerading as a lottery organization advising the
recipient or the user's bank of a large win; in either case, the intent is to obtain account and personal
identification number (PIN) details. Alternative attacks may seek to obtain apparently innocuous business
information, which may be used in another form of active attack. |
|
|
Term
Plain old telephone
service (POTS) |
|
Definition
| A wired telecommunications system. |
|
|
Term
Platform as a Service
(PaaS) |
|
Definition
Offers the capability to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure customer-created or -acquired applications that
are created using programming languages and tools supported by the provider |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Generally, a document that records a high-level principle or course of action that has been decided on
The intended purpose is to influence and guide both present and future decision making to be in line with the
philosophy, objectives and strategic plans established by the enterprise’s management teams.
Scope Note: In addition to policy content, policies need to describe the consequences of failing to comply
with the policy, the means for handling exceptions, and the manner in which compliance with the policy will
be checked and measured.
2. Overall intention and direction as formally expressed by management
Scope Note: COBIT 5 perspective |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process or application-specific software element serving as a communication endpoint for the Transport
Layer IP protocols (UDP and TCP) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The act of probing a system to identify open ports |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A natural number greater than 1 that can only be divided by 1 and itself. |
|
|
Term
Principle of least
privilege/access |
|
Definition
| Controls used to allow the least privilege access needed to complete a task |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Freedom from unauthorized intrusion or disclosure of information about an individual |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Inspect a network or system to find weak spots |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A document containing a detailed description of the steps necessary to perform specific operations in
conformance with applicable standards. Procedures are defined as part of processes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The rules by which a network operates and controls the flow and priority of transmissions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A server that acts on behalf of a user
Scope Note: Typical proxies accept a connection from a user, make a decision as to whether the user or
client IP address is permitted to use the proxy, perhaps perform additional authentication, and complete a
connection to a remote destination on behalf of the user. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A cryptographic system that uses two keys: one is a public key, which is known to everyone, and the
second is a private or secret key, which is only known to the recipient of the message
See also Asymmetric Key. |
|
|
Term
Public key infrastructure
(PKI) |
|
Definition
A series of processes and technologies for the association of cryptographic keys with the entity to whom
those keys were issued |
|
|
Term
Public switched
telephone network
(PSTN) |
|
Definition
A communications system that sets up a dedicated channel (or circuit) between two points for the duration of
the transmission. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Emergency processing agreement between two or more enterprises with similar equipment or applications
Scope Note: Typically, participants of a reciprocal agreement promise to provide processing time to each
other when an emergency arises. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The phase in the incident response plan that ensures that affected systems or services are restored to a
condition specified in the service delivery objectives (SDOs) or business continuity plan (BCP) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Execution of a response or task according to a written procedure |
|
|
Term
Recovery point objective
(RPO) |
|
Definition
Determined based on the acceptable data loss in case of a disruption of operations
It indicates the earliest point in time that is acceptable to recover the data. The RPO effectively quantifies the
permissible amount of data loss in case of interruption. |
|
|
Term
Recovery time objective
(RTO) |
|
Definition
| The amount of time allowed for the recovery of a business function or resource after a disaster occurs |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A recovery strategy involving the duplication of key IT components, including data or other key business
processes, whereby fast recovery can take place |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Registered ports--1024 through 49151: Listed by the IANA and on most systems can be used by ordinary
user processes or programs executed by ordinary users |
|
|
Term
Registration authority
(RA) |
|
Definition
| The individual institution that validates an entity's proof of identity and ownership of a key pair |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Rules or laws defined and enforced by an authority to regulate conduct |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Rules or laws that regulate conduct and that the enterprise must obey to become compliant |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
After vulnerabilities are identified and assessed, appropriate remediation can take place to mitigate or
eliminate the vulnerability |
|
|
Term
Remote access service
(RAS) |
|
Definition
Refers to any combination of hardware and software to enable the remote access to tools or information that
typically reside on a network of IT devices
Scope Note: Originally coined by Microsoft when referring to their built-in NT remote access tools, RAS was
a service provided by Windows NT which allowed most of the services that would be available on a network
to be accessed over a modem link. Over the years, many vendors have provided both hardware and
software solutions to gain remote access to various types of networked information. In fact, most modern
routers include a basic RAS capability that can be enabled for any dial-up interface. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any type of storage device that can be removed from the system while is running |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A physical layer device that regenerates and propagates electrical signals between two network segments
Scope Note: Repeaters receive signals from one network segment and amplify (regenerate) the signal to
compensate for signals (analog or digital) distorted by transmission loss due to reduction of signal strength
during transmission (i.e., attenuation) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The ability to copy a message or stream of messages between two parties and replay (retransmit) them to
one or more of the parties |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The remaining risk after management has implemented a risk response |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The ability of a system or network to resist failure or to recover quickly from any disruption, usually with
minimal recognizable effect |
|
|
Term
Return on investment
(ROI) |
|
Definition
A measure of operating performance and efficiency, computed in its simplest form by dividing net income by
the total investment over the period being considered |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An exploit technique in which the attacker uses control of the call stack to indirectly execute cherry-picked
machine instructions immediately prior to the return instruction in subroutines within the existing program
code |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The combination of the probability of an event and its consequence. (ISO/IEC 73) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
If the risk is within the enterprise's risk tolerance or if the cost of otherwise mitigating the risk is higher than
the potential loss, the enterprise can assume the risk and absorb any losses |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process used to identify and evaluate risk and its potential effects
Scope Note: Risk assessments are used to identify those items or areas that present the highest risk,
vulnerability or exposure to the enterprise for inclusion in the IS annual audit plan.
Risk assessments are also used to manage the project delivery and project benefit risk. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process for systematically avoiding risk, constituting one approach to managing risk |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. The coordinated activities to direct and control an enterprise with regard to risk
Scope Note: In the International Standard, the term "control" is used as a synonym for "measure." (ISO/IEC
Guide 73:2002)
2. One of the governance objectives. Entails recognizing risk; assessing the impact and likelihood of that
risk; and developing strategies, such as avoiding the risk, reducing the negative effect of the risk and/or
transferring the risk, to manage it within the context of the enterprise’s risk appetite.
Scope Note: COBIT 5 perspective |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The management of risk through the use of countermeasures and controls |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The implementation of controls or countermeasures to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk to a level
within the organization’s risk tolerance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The acceptable level of variation that management is willing to allow for any particular risk as the enterprise
pursues its objectives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of assigning risk to another enterprise, usually through the purchase of an insurance policy or
by outsourcing the service |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process of selection and implementation of measures to modify risk (ISO/IEC Guide 73:2002) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process of diagnosis to establish the origins of events, which can be used for learning from
consequences, typically from errors and problems |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A software suite designed to aid an intruder in gaining unauthorized administrative access to a computer
system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A networking device that can send (route) data packets from one local area network (LAN) or wide area
network (WAN) to another, based on addressing at the network layer (Layer 3) in the open systems
interconnection (OSI) model
Scope Note: Networks connected by routers can use different or similar networking protocols. Routers
usually are capable of filtering packets based on parameters, such as source addresses, destination
addresses, protocol and network applications (ports). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A public key cryptosystem developed by R. Rivest, A. Shamir and L. Adleman used for both encryption and
digital signatures
Scope Note: The RSA has two different keys, the public encryption key and the secret decryption key. The
strength of the RSA depends on the difficulty of the prime number factorization. For applications with highlevel
security, the number of the decryption key bits should be greater than 512 bits. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A practice, procedure or mechanism that reduces risk |
|
|
Term
Secure Electronic
Transaction (SET) |
|
Definition
A standard that will ensure that credit card and associated payment order information travels safely and
securely between the various involved parties on the Internet. |
|
|
Term
Secure Multipurpose
Internet Mail Extensions
(S/MIME) |
|
Definition
Provides cryptographic security services for electronic messaging applications: authentication, message
integrity and non-repudiation of origin (using digital signatures) and privacy and data security (using
encryption) to provide a consistent way to send and receive MIME data. (RFC 2311) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Network protocol that uses cryptography to secure communication, remote command line login and remote
command execution between two networked computers |
|
|
Term
Secure Sockets Layer
(SSL) |
|
Definition
A protocol that is used to transmit private documents through the Internet
Scope Note: The SSL protocol uses a private key to encrypt the data that are to be transferred through the
SSL connection. |
|
|
Term
Security as a Service
(SecaaS) |
|
Definition
The next generation of managed security services dedicated to the delivery, over the Internet, of specialized
information-security services. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A standard of measurement used in management of security-related activities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The boundary that defines the area of security concern and security policy coverage |
|
|
Term
Segregation/separation
of duties (SoD) |
|
Definition
A basic internal control that prevents or detects errors and irregularities by assigning to separate individuals
the responsibility for initiating and recording transactions and for the custody of assets
Scope Note: Segregation/separation of duties is commonly used in large IT organizations so that no single
person is in a position to introduce fraudulent or malicious code without detection. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A measure of the impact that improper disclosure of information may have on an enterprise |
|
|
Term
Service delivery
objective (SDO) |
|
Definition
Directly related to the business needs, SDO is the level of services to be reached during the alternate
process mode until the normal situation is restored |
|
|
Term
Service level agreement
(SLA) |
|
Definition
An agreement, preferably documented, between a service provider and the customer(s)/user(s) that defines
minimum performance targets for a service and how they will be measured |
|
|
Term
Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol (SMTP) |
|
Definition
| The standard electronic mail (e-mail) protocol on the Internet. |
|
|
Term
Single factor
authentication (SFA) |
|
Definition
| Authentication process that requires only the user ID and password to grant access |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A small electronic device that contains electronic memory, and possibly an embedded integrated circuit
Scope Note: Smart cards can be used for a number of purposes including the storage of digital certificates
or digital cash, or they can be used as a token to authenticate users. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process by which data traversing a network are captured or monitored |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An attack based on deceiving users or administrators at the target site into revealing confidential or sensitive
information |
|
|
Term
Software as a service
(SaaS) |
|
Definition
Offers the capability to use the provider’s applications running on cloud infrastructure. The applications are
accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., webbased
e-mail). |
|
|
Term
Source routing
specification |
|
Definition
A transmission technique where the sender of a packet can specify the route that packet should follow
through the network |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Computer-generated messages sent as unsolicited advertising |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An attack where social engineering techniques are used to masquerade as a trusted party to obtain
important information such as passwords from the victim |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Faking the sending address of a transmission in order to gain illegal entry into a secure system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Software whose purpose is to monitor a computer user’s actions (e.g., web sites visited) and report these
actions to a third party, without the informed consent of that machine’s owner or legitimate user
Scope Note: A particularly malicious form of spyware is software that monitors keystrokes to obtain
passwords or otherwise gathers sensitive information such as credit card numbers, which it then transmits to
a malicious third party. The term has also come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the
computer’s operation for the benefit of a third party. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Results from failure of the application to appropriately validate input. When specially crafted user-controlled
input consisting of SQL syntax is used without proper validation as part of SQL queries, it is possible to
glean information from the database in ways not envisaged during application design. (MITRE) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A firewall architecture that tracks each connection traversing all interfaces of the firewall and makes sure
they are valid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Laws created by government institutions |
|
|
Term
Supervisory control and
data acquisition
(SCADA) |
|
Definition
| Systems used to control and monitor industrial and manufacturing processes, and utility facilities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Typically associated as a data link layer device, switches enable local area network (LAN) segments to be
created and interconnected, which has the added benefit of reducing collision domains in Ethernet-based
networks. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
System in which a different key (or set of keys) is used by each pair of trading partners to ensure that no one
else can read their messages
The same key is used for encryption and decryption. See also Private Key Cryptosystem. |
|
|
Term
System development life
cycle (SDLC) |
|
Definition
The phases deployed in the development or acquisition of a software system
Scope Note: SDLC is an approach used to plan, design, develop, test and implement an application system
or a major modification to an application system. Typical phases of SDLC include the feasibility study,
requirements study, requirements definition, detailed design, programming, testing, installation and postimplementation
review, but not the service delivery or benefits realization activities. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process to eliminate as many security risks as possible by removing all nonessential software programs,
protocols, services and utilities from the system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any assets that has physical form |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Person or asset selected as the aim of an attack |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Network protocol used to enable remote access to a server computer
Scope Note: Commands typed are run on the remote server. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Anything (e.g., object, substance, human) that is capable of acting against an asset in a manner that can
result in harm
Scope Note: A potential cause of an unwanted incident (ISO/IEC 13335) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Methods and things used to exploit a vulnerability
Scope Note: Examples include determination, capability, motive and resources. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An evaluation of the type, scope and nature of events or actions that can result in adverse consequences;
identification of the threats that exist against enterprise assets
Scope Note: The threat analysis usually defines the level of threat and the likelihood of it materializing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Any event during which a threat element/actor acts against an asset in a manner that has the potential to
directly result in harm |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The path or route used by the adversary to gain access to the target |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Chronological graphs where events related to an incident can be mapped to look for relationships in complex
cases
Scope Note: Timelines can provide simplified visualization for presentation to management and other nontechnical
audiences. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A device that is used to authenticate a user, typically in addition to a username and password
Scope Note: A token is usually a device the size of a credit card that displays a pseudo random number that
changes every few minutes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The physical layout of how computers are linked together
Scope Note: Examples of topology include ring, star and bus. |
|
|
Term
Total cost of ownership
(TCO) |
|
Definition
Includes the original cost of the computer plus the cost of: software, hardware and software upgrades,
maintenance, technical support, training, and certain activities performed by users |
|
|
Term
Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) |
|
Definition
A connection-based Internet protocol that supports reliable data transfer connections
Scope Note: Packet data are verified using checksums and retransmitted if they are missing or corrupted.
The application plays no part in validating the transfer. |
|
|
Term
Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) |
|
Definition
Provides the basis for the Internet; a set of communication protocols that encompass media access, packet
transport, session communication, file transfer, electronic mail (e-mail), terminal emulation, remote file
access and network management |
|
|
Term
Transport Layer Security
(TLS) |
|
Definition
A protocol that provides communications privacy over the Internet. The protocol allows client/server
applications to communicate in a way that is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message
forgery. (RFC 2246)
Scope Note: Transport Layer Security (TLS) is composed of two layers: the TLS Record Protocol and the
TLS Handshake Protocol. The TLS Record Protocol provides connection security with some encryption
method such as the Data Encryption Standard (DES). The TLS Record Protocol can also be used without
encryption. The TLS Handshake Protocol allows the server and client to authenticate each other and to
negotiate an encryption algorithm and cryptographic keys before data is exchanged. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A block cipher created from the Data Encryption Standard (DES) cipher by using it three times |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Purposefully hidden malicious or damaging code within an authorized computer program
Scope Note: Unlike viruses, they do not replicate themselves, but they can be just as destructive to a single
computer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The paths that the encapsulated packets follow in an Internet virtual private network (VPN) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Used to protect traffic between different networks when traffic must travel through intermediate or untrusted
networks. Tunnel mode encapsulates the entire IP packet with and AH or ESP header and an additional IP
header. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The use of two independent mechanisms for authentication, (e.g., requiring a smart card and a password)
typically the combination of something you know, are or have |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The difficulty of predicting an outcome due to limited knowledge of all components |
|
|
Term
Uniform resource locator
(URL) |
|
Definition
| The string of characters that form a web address |
|
|
Term
User Datagram Protocol
(UDP) |
|
Definition
A connectionless Internet protocol that is designed for network efficiency and speed at the expense of
reliability
Scope Note: A data request by the client is served by sending packets without testing to verify whether they
actually arrive at the destination, not whether they were corrupted in transit. It is up to the application to
determine these factors and request retransmissions. |
|
|
Term
User interface
impersonation |
|
Definition
Can be a pop-up ad that impersonates a system dialog, an ad that impersonates a system warning, or an ad
that impersonates an application user interface in a mobile device. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Used for the execution of normal system activities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A process to create, modify, disable and delete user accounts and their profiles across IT infrastructure and
business applications |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The relative worth or importance of an investment for an enterprise, as perceived by its key stakeholders,
expressed as total life cycle benefits net of related costs, adjusted for risk and (in the case of financial value)
the time value of money |
|
|
Term
| Vertical defense-in depth |
|
Definition
Controls are placed at different system layers – hardware, operating system, application, database or user
levels |
|
|
Term
Virtual local area
network (VLAN) |
|
Definition
Logical segmentation of a LAN into different broadcast domains
Scope Note: A VLAN is set up by configuring ports on a switch, so devices attached to these ports may
communicate as if they were attached to the same physical network segment, although the devices are
located on different LAN segments. A VLAN is based on logical rather than physical connections. |
|
|
Term
Virtual private network
(VPN) |
|
Definition
A secure private network that uses the public telecommunications infrastructure to transmit data
Scope Note: In contrast to a much more expensive system of owned or leased lines that can only be used
by one company, VPNs are used by enterprises for both extranets and wide areas of intranets. Using
encryption and authentication, a VPN encrypts all data that pass between two Internet points, maintaining
privacy and security. |
|
|
Term
Virtual private network
(VPN) concentrator |
|
Definition
A system used to establish VPN tunnels and handle large numbers of simultaneous connections. This
system provides authentication, authorization and accounting services. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of adding a "guest application" and data onto a "virtual server," recognizing that the guest
application will ultimately part company from this physical server |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A program with the ability to reproduce by modifying other programs to include a copy of itself
Scope Note: A virus may contain destructive code that can move into multiple programs, data files or
devices on a system and spread through multiple systems in a network. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The file of virus patterns that are compared with existing files to determine whether they are infected with a
virus or worm |
|
|
Term
Voice-over Internet
Protocol (VoIP) |
|
Definition
Also called IP Telephony, Internet Telephony and Broadband Phone, a technology that makes it possible to
have a voice conversation over the Internet or over any dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) network instead of
over dedicated voice transmission lines |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Data that changes frequently and can be lost when the system's power is shut down |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A weakness in the design, implementation, operation or internal control of a process that could expose the
system to adverse threats from threat events |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A process of identifying and classifying vulnerabilities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An automated process to proactively identify security weaknesses in a network or individual system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Similar to a hot site but not fully equipped with all of the necessary hardware needed for recovery |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The business of providing the equipment and services required to host and maintain files for one or more
web sites and provide fast Internet connections to those sites
Scope Note: Most hosting is "shared," which means that web sites of multiple companies are on the same
server to share/reduce costs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Using the client-server model and the World Wide Web's HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Web Server
is a software program that serves web pages to users. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Well-known ports--0 through 1023: Controlled and assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA), and on most systems can be used only by system (or root) processes or by programs executed by
privileged users. The assigned ports use the first portion of the possible port numbers. Initially, these
assigned ports were in the range 0-255. Currently, the range for assigned ports managed by the IANA has
been expanded to the range 0-1023. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A computer network connecting different remote locations that may range from short distances, such as a
floor or building, to extremely long transmissions that encompass a large region or several countries |
|
|
Term
Wi-Fi protected access
(WAP) |
|
Definition
A class of systems used to secure wireless (Wi-Fi) computer networks.
Scope Note: WPA was created in response to several serious weaknesses that researchers found in the
previous system, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA implements the majority of the IEEE 802.11i
standard, and was intended as an intermediate measure to take the place of WEP while 802.11i was
prepared. WPA is designed to work with all wireless network interface cards, but not necessarily with first
generation wireless access points. WPA2 implements the full standard, but will not work with some older
network cards. Both provide good security with two significant issues. First, either WPA or WPA2 must be
enabled and chosen in preference to WEP; WEP is usually presented as the first security choice in most
installation instructions. Second, in the "personal" mode, the most likely choice for homes and small offices,
a pass phrase is required that, for full security, must be longer than the typical six to eight character
passwords users are taught to employ. |
|
|
Term
Wi-Fi protected access II
(WPA2) |
|
Definition
Wireless security protocol that supports 802.11i encryption standards to provide greater security. This
protocol uses Advanced Encryption Standards (AES) and Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for
stronger encryption. |
|
|
Term
Wired Equivalent Privacy
(WEP) |
|
Definition
A scheme that is part of the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard to secure IEEE 802.11 wireless
networks (also known as Wi-Fi networks)
Scope Note: Because a wireless network broadcasts messages using radio, it is particularly susceptible to
eavesdropping. WEP was intended to provide comparable confidentiality to a traditional wired network (in
particular, it does not protect users of the network from each other), hence the name. Several serious
weaknesses were identified by cryptanalysts, and WEP was superseded by Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
in 2003, and then by the full IEEE 802.11i standard (also known as WPA2) in 2004. Despite the
weaknesses, WEP provides a level of security that can deter casual snooping. |
|
|
Term
Wireless local area
network (WLAN) |
|
Definition
| Two or more systems networked using a wireless distribution method |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A programmed network attack in which a self-replicating program does not attach itself to programs, but
rather spreads independently of users’ action |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A devices that allows the acquisition of information on a drive without creating the possibility of accidentally
damaging the drive |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The use of hardware or software to prevent data to be overwritten or deleted |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A vulnerability that is exploited before the software creator/vendor is even aware of it's existence |
|
|
