| Term / Acronym | Plain-English Meaning | Why It Matters to a Manager |
| Attack Surface | All the ways a system can be accessed or attacked | Larger attack surfaces increase risk and cost |
| Authentication | Proving someone is who they claim to be | Weak authentication leads to unauthorized access |
| Authorization | What an authenticated user is allowed to do | Prevents employees from accessing data they shouldn’t |
| Breach | Unauthorized access to data or systems | Often triggers legal, regulatory, and reputational damage |
| Business Continuity Plan (BCP) | Plan to keep operations running during disruption | Downtime directly impacts revenue and customers |
| Data Exfiltration | Unauthorized transfer of data out of a system | Can result in intellectual property or customer data loss |
| Defense in Depth | Multiple layers of security controls | No single failure should expose the organization |
| Encryption | Converting data into unreadable form without a key | Protects sensitive data if systems are compromised |
| Endpoint | Any device connected to the network (laptops, phones, servers) | Endpoints are common entry points for attackers |
| Firewall | A barrier that filters network traffic | First line of defense against external attacks |
| Identity and Access Management (IAM) | Systems that manage user identities and permissions | Limits risk from insider threats and compromised accounts |
| Incident Response Plan (IRP) | Defined steps to follow during a cyber incident | Reduces chaos, cost, and response time during crises |
| Least Privilege | Users get only the access they need | Minimizes damage if an account is compromised |
| Malware | Malicious software (viruses, ransomware, spyware) | Can disrupt operations and steal data |
| Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | Login requires more than one verification method | Dramatically reduces account takeover risk |
| Network Segmentation | Separating systems into isolated zones | Limits spread of attacks inside the organization |
| Patch Management | Keeping systems updated with security fixes | Unpatched systems are a top cause of breaches |
| Penetration Testing (Pen Test) | Simulated attack to find weaknesses | Identifies risks before criminals do |
| Phishing | Deceptive emails or messages to steal credentials | Leading cause of successful cyber attacks |
| Ransomware | Malware that encrypts data and demands payment | Can halt business operations entirely |
| Risk Assessment | Evaluation of threats, vulnerabilities, and impact | Informs budgeting and security priorities |
| Security Awareness Training | Educating employees on cyber risks | Humans are often the weakest link |
| SOC (Security Operations Center) | Team monitoring and responding to threats | Provides early detection and response |
| Threat Actor | Person or group attempting an attack | Helps contextualize motive and sophistication |
| Vulnerability | A weakness that can be exploited | Needs prioritization based on business impact |
| Vulnerability Scanning | Automated search for known weaknesses | Ongoing hygiene to prevent easy attacks |
| Zero Trust | “Never trust, always verify” security model | Reduces implicit trust inside the network |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Tools to prevent sensitive data leakage | Protects intellectual property and compliance |
| Third-Party Risk | Risk introduced by vendors and partners | Breaches often originate outside the company |
| Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) | How long it takes to notice an incident | Faster detection reduces damage |
| Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) | How quickly an incident is contained | Directly impacts cost and recovery |
Cybersecurity Terms Every Business Manager Should Know
About the Author
Brad Schorer
Brad is the CEO of Digital Segment. He has been in the data business for more years than he cares to count. Passionate about marketing, data, mobile and digital solutions, and privacy. Always curious.
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