Cyber security glossary

Understand the key terms

Find a list below of core terms for you to be familiar with from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) glossary.

Antivirus: software designed to detect, stop and remove malicious software and viruses

Breach: when data, systems or networks are accessed or changed in a non-authorised way

Cloud: where you can store and access your resources (including data and software) via the internet, instead of locally on physical devices

Cyber attack: an attempt to access, damage or disrupt your computer systems, networks or devices maliciously

Cyber incident: where the security of your system or service has been breached

Cyber security: the protection of your devices, services and networks (and the information they contain) from theft or damage

Firewall: hardware or software that uses a set of rules to constrain