CYBERSECURITY BUZZWORDS FOR DUMMIES: PART 1
This Cybersecurity Buzzwords for Dummies blog, or to be more politically correct, for non-techies, is written by a marketing expert, not a technical expert.
When I first joined the team at RPI, I found the technical jargon I heard from my colleagues quite confusing at times. Fortunately, working closely with our technical experts has given me a better understanding of many new cybersecurity buzzwords I was unfamiliar with before.
Just in case you missed the first buzzwords blog, which is our most popular blog to date, read it here.
Now, allow me to translate some newer terms for my fellow non-techies out there.
Zero Trust
‘Zero Trust’ is a cybersecurity term that is exactly as it sounds: do not trust any user or system by default. Zero trust requires strict identity verification and continuous authentication for every person and device trying to access resources.
Adversaries
‘Adversaries’ is just a dramatic term for enemies, often used in the context of cybersecurity and military strategy. Adversaries can be any individuals or entities that are in opposition with another party, meaning competition, conflict, or hostility.
For example, cyber criminals can be considered adversaries. They want your information to steal data to get things that are advantageous to them; most notably, money.
Have you ever heard of a ‘catfish’ in relation to cybersecurity? A ‘catfish’ is someone who pretends to be someone else by building a relationship, often to get money out of that relationship. A ‘catfish’ is an adversary. This is why it’s important not to give out information to strangers of any capacity online.
Cyber Solutions
‘Cyber solutions’ refer to solutions for all cyber technology, tools, services, networks, data, and cybersecurity in general. The solutions are tested and then implemented against cyber threats. The goals of cyber solutions are to safeguard you against adversaries (see! We’re already using a new word!) and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your information. You probably don’t even realize some of the cyber solutions you may use regularly, such antivirus software or multifactor authentication.
Cybersecurity moves fast—and the buzzwords move even faster. But don’t worry, we’ll keep decoding them for you! Keep an eye out for our next post with more buzzwords and the technology that is shaping today’s digital defenses.