Security Principles and Models
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Enterprise Security Architecture course at Greenwich School of Business and Finance. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Security Principles and Models Glossary #
Security Principles and Models Glossary
Access Control #
Access control is a security measure that determines who is allowed to access a… #
It involves authentication, authorization, and auditing to ensure only authorized users can access specific resources.
Authentication #
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or entity #
This can be done through something the user knows (password), something the user has (smart card), or something the user is (biometric data).
Authorization #
Authorization is the process of determining what actions a user is allowed to pe… #
It involves setting permissions and privileges based on the user's role or identity.
Availability #
Availability is a security principle that ensures systems, services, and data ar… #
This involves implementing redundancy, failover mechanisms, and disaster recovery plans to prevent downtime.
Confidentiality #
Confidentiality is a security principle that ensures sensitive information is on… #
This involves encryption, access controls, and data masking to protect data from unauthorized disclosure.
Cryptography #
Cryptography is the practice of encrypting and decrypting data to secure it from… #
It involves algorithms and keys to encode and decode information in a secure manner.
Defense in Depth #
Defense in depth is a security strategy that involves implementing multiple laye… #
This can include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption to create a robust security posture.
Encryption #
Encryption is the process of converting plaintext data into ciphertext to protec… #
It uses algorithms and keys to scramble data, making it unreadable without the correct decryption key.
Firewall #
A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and… #
It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) #
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies and technologies… #
It involves managing user identities, roles, and permissions to enforce security policies.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) #
An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a security technology that monitors netwo… #
It can detect anomalies and raise alerts to notify security personnel of potential threats.
Least Privilege #
Least Privilege is a security principle that states that users should only be gr… #
This limits the impact of a security breach by reducing the number of resources a compromised user can access.
Multi #
factor Authentication (MFA):
Multi #
factor Authentication (MFA) is a security method that requires users to provide two or more forms of verification before gaining access to a system. This can include something the user knows (password), something the user has (smart card), or something the user is (biometric data).
Network Segmentation #
Network Segmentation is the practice of dividing a network into smaller subnetwo… #
It limits the spread of threats and reduces the attack surface by isolating critical systems and data from less secure areas.
Penetration Testing #
Penetration Testing is a security assessment method that simulates real #
world cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities in a system. It involves ethical hackers attempting to exploit weaknesses to provide recommendations for remediation.
Principle of Least Privilege #
The Principle of Least Privilege is the practice of granting users the minimum l… #
This helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access and limits the impact of a security breach.
Risk Assessment #
Risk Assessment is the process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating potenti… #
It involves assessing the likelihood and impact of threats to determine the level of risk and prioritize security measures.
Risk Management #
Risk Management is the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks t… #
It involves implementing security controls, policies, and procedures to reduce the likelihood and impact of threats.
Security Architecture #
Security Architecture is the design of a secure framework that outlines the orga… #
It involves defining security requirements, implementing security solutions, and aligning them with business objectives.
Security Controls #
Security Controls are safeguards or countermeasures that are put in place to pro… #
They can be technical, administrative, or physical controls that mitigate risks and enforce security policies.
Security Incident Response #
Security Incident Response is the process of detecting, analyzing, and respondin… #
It involves containing the incident, investigating the root cause, and implementing measures to prevent future incidents.
Security Model #
A Security Model is a framework that describes how security mechanisms are imple… #
It defines the rules, policies, and procedures that govern access control, authentication, and encryption.
Security Policy #
A Security Policy is a set of rules and guidelines that define how an organizati… #
It outlines the requirements, responsibilities, and procedures for securing information and technology.
Security Posture #
Security Posture refers to an organization's overall security readiness and resi… #
It includes the effectiveness of security controls, policies, and procedures in mitigating risks and protecting assets.
Security Principles #
Security Principles are fundamental guidelines and best practices that govern ho… #
They include confidentiality, integrity, availability, and accountability to ensure data and resources are protected from unauthorized access.
Security Risk Assessment #
Security Risk Assessment is the process of evaluating potential threats and vuln… #
It involves identifying risks, analyzing their impact, and implementing controls to mitigate the likelihood of security incidents.
Security Risk Management #
Security Risk Management is the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigatin… #
It involves prioritizing risks, implementing controls, and monitoring for threats to maintain a secure environment.
Security Threat #
A Security Threat is a potential danger or risk to an organization's assets #
It can come in various forms, such as malware, phishing attacks, or data breaches, and can exploit vulnerabilities to compromise security.
Single Sign #
On (SSO):
Single Sign #
On (SSO) is a user authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials. It simplifies the login process, improves user experience, and enhances security by reducing the number of passwords users need to remember.
Threat Modeling #
Threat Modeling is the process of identifying potential threats to an organizati… #
It involves analyzing vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and mitigating controls to reduce risk.
Vulnerability Assessment #
Vulnerability Assessment is the process of identifying weaknesses in an organiza… #
It involves scanning for vulnerabilities, analyzing their impact, and prioritizing remediation to prevent exploitation by attackers.
Zero Trust Security Model #
Zero Trust Security Model is a security approach that assumes no entity, whether… #
It requires strict access controls, continuous monitoring, and least privilege to protect against insider threats and external attackers.