| access control | The process of granting or denying requests for access to systems, applications and data. Can also refer to the process of granting or denying requests for access to facilities. |
| Access Cross Domain Solution | A system permitting access to multiple security domains from a single client device. |
| accountable material | Accountable material requires the strictest control over its access and movement. Accountable material includes TOP SECRET data, some types of caveated data and any data designated as accountable material by its originator. |
| application control | An approach in which only an explicitly defined set of trusted applications are allowed to execute on systems. |
| assets | In the context of technology, an overarching term used to refer to applications, IT equipment, OT equipment, services and data. Such assets may also be referred to as technology assets. |
| asymmetric cryptographic algorithms | Cryptographic algorithms where two different keys are used, commonly a private and a public key. Asymmetric cryptographic algorithms are also known as public key cryptographic algorithms. |
| attack surface | The applications, IT equipment, OT equipment and services used by a system. The greater the attack surface the greater the chances of malicious actors finding an exploitable vulnerability. |
| Australian Eyes Only data | Data not to be passed to, or accessed by, foreign nationals. |
| Australian Government Access Only data | Data not to be passed to, or accessed by, foreign nationals, with the exception of seconded foreign nationals. |
| Australian Information Security Evaluation Program | A program under which evaluations are performed by impartial bodies against the Common Criteria. The results of these evaluations are then certified by the Australian Certification Authority within the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). |
| authentication | Verifying the identity of a user, process or device as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in a system. |
| Authentication Header | A protocol used in Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) that provides data integrity and data origin authenticity but not confidentiality. |
| authorising officer | An executive with the authority to formally accept the security risks associated with the operation of a system and to authorise it to operate. |
| availability | The assurance that systems, applications and data are accessible and useable by authorised entities when required. |
| biometrics | Measurable physical characteristics used to identify or verify an individual. |
| caveat | A marking that indicates that the data has special requirements in addition to those indicated by its classification. This term covers codewords, source codewords, releasability indicators and special-handling caveats. |
| certification report | An artefact of Common Criteria evaluations that outlines the outcomes of a product’s evaluation. |
| Chief Information Security Officer | A senior executive who is responsible for coordinating communication between security and business functions as well as overseeing the application of controls and associated security risk management processes. |
| classification | The categorisation of systems, applications and data according to the expected impact if it was to be compromised. |
| classified data | Data that would cause limited through to exceptionally grave damage to Australia’s national interests, the Australian Government generally or to an individual Commonwealth entity if compromised (i.e. data assessed as OFFICIAL: Sensitive, PROTECTED, SECRET or TOP SECRET). |
| commercial cryptographic equipment | A subset of IT equipment which contains cryptographic components. |
| Common Criteria | An international standard for product evaluations. |
| Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement | An international agreement which facilitates the mutual recognition of Common Criteria evaluations by certificate producing schemes. |
| communications security | The controls applied to protect telecommunications from unauthorised interception and exploitation, as well as ensure the authenticity of such telecommunications. |
| conduit | A tube, duct or pipe used to protect cables. |
| confidentiality | The assurance that data is disclosed only to authorised entities. |
| connection forwarding | The use of network address translation to allow a port on a node inside a network to be accessed from outside the network. Alternatively, using a Secure Shell server to forward a Transmission Control Protocol connection to an arbitrary port on the local host. |
| content filter | A filter that examines content to assess conformance against a security policy. |
| continuous monitoring plan | A document that describes the plan for the continuous monitoring and assurance in the effectiveness of controls for a system. |
| control plane | The administrative interface that allows for the management and orchestration of a system’s infrastructure and applications. |
| critical server | A server that provides critical network or security services. For example, Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services domain controllers, Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services Certification Authority servers, Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services servers and Microsoft Entra Connect servers. |
| Cross Domain Solution | A system capable of implementing comprehensive data flow security policies with a high level of trust between two or more differing security domains. |
| cryptographic algorithm | An algorithm used to perform cryptographic functions, such as encryption, integrity, authentication, digital signatures or key establishment. |
| cryptographic equipment | A generic term for commercial cryptographic equipment and High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment. |
| cryptographic hash | An algorithm (the hash function) which takes as input a string of any length (the message) and generates a fixed length string (the message digest or fingerprint) as output. The algorithm is designed to make it computationally infeasible to find any input which maps to a given digest, or to find two different messages that map to the same digest. |
| cryptographic module | The set of hardware, software and firmware that implements approved cryptographic functions (including key generation) that are contained within the cryptographic boundary of the module. |
| cryptographic protocol | An agreed standard for secure communication between two or more entities to provide confidentiality, integrity, authentication and non-repudiation of data. |
| cryptographic software | Software designed to perform cryptographic functions. |
| cryptographic system | A related set of hardware, software and supporting infrastructure used for cryptographic communication, processing or storage and the administrative framework in which it operates. Cryptographic systems may be based upon traditional cryptography, post-quantum cryptography or a combination of both. |
| cryptographically relevant quantum computer | A quantum computer that is capable of successfully executing attacks against traditional cryptographic systems. |
| customer | A person that an organisation has dealings with, typically via the consumption of goods or services. A customer does not necessarily need to purchase goods or services from the organisation. |
| cyber resilience | The ability to adapt to disruptions caused by cyber security incidents while maintaining continuous business operations. This includes the ability to detect, manage and recover from cyber security incidents. |
| cyber security | Measures used to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, applications and data. |
| cyber security event | An occurrence of a system, service or network state indicating a possible breach of security policy, failure of safeguards or a previously unknown situation that may be relevant to security. |
| cyber security incident | An unwanted or unexpected cyber security event, or a series of such events, that either has compromised business operations or has a significant probability of compromising business operations. |
| cyber security incident response plan | A document that describes the plan for responding to cyber security incidents. |
| cyber threat | Any circumstance or event with the potential to harm systems, applications or data. |
| data at rest | Data that resides on media or a system. |
| data in transit | Data that is being communicated across a communication medium. |
| data repository | A location in which data is stored, managed and made available to users. |
| data security | Measures used to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. |
| data spill | The accidental or deliberate exposure of data into an uncontrolled or unauthorised environment, or to people without a need-to-know. |
| declassification | A process whereby requirements for the protection of data are removed and an administrative decision is made to formally authorise its release into the public domain. |
| degausser | An electrical device or permanent magnet assembly which generates a magnetic force for the purpose of degaussing magnetic storage devices. |
| degaussing | A process for reducing the magnetisation of a magnetic storage device to zero by applying a reverse magnetic force, rendering any previously stored data unreadable. |
| demilitarised zone | A small network with one or more servers that is kept separate from the core network, typically on the outside of the firewall or as a separate network protected by the firewall. Demilitarised zones usually provide data to less trusted networks, such as the internet. |
| denial-of-service attack | An attempt by malicious actors to prevent legitimate access to online services (typically a website), for example, by consuming the amount of available bandwidth or the processing capacity of the server hosting the online service. |
| device access control software | Software that can be used on a system to restrict access to communications ports. Device access control software can block all access to a communications port or allow access based on device types, manufacturer’s identification or even unique device identifiers. |
| digital preservation | The coordinated and ongoing set of processes and activities that ensure long-term, error-free storage of digital information, with means for retrieval and interpretation, for the entire time span the information is required. |
| digital signature | A cryptographic process that allows the proof of the source (with non-repudiation) and the verification of the integrity of that data. |
| diode | A device that allows data to flow in only one direction. |
| distributed-denial-of-service attack | A distributed form of denial-of-service attack. |
| dual-stack network device | IT equipment that implements Internet Protocol version 4 and Internet Protocol version 6 protocol stacks. |
| elliptic curve cryptography | A group of asymmetric cryptographic algorithms underpinned by the mathematics of elliptic curves. |
| emanation security | The countermeasures employed to reduce sensitive or classified emanations from a facility and its systems to an acceptable level. Emanations can be in the form of Radio Frequency energy, sound waves or optical signals. |
| Encapsulating Security Payload | A protocol used for encryption and authentication in IPsec. |
| event | In the context of system logs, an event constitutes an evident change to the normal behaviour of a network, system or user. |
| extendable-output function | A function that uses a hash function to output a digest of a user-chosen length. This is different to a hash function which outputs a digest of a fixed length. |
| facility | A physical space where business is performed. For example, a facility can be a building, a floor of a building or a designated space on the floor of a building. |
| fax machine | A device that allows copies of documents to be sent over a telephone network. |
| firewall | A network device that filters incoming and outgoing network data based on a series of rules. |
| firmware | Software embedded in IT equipment or OT equipment. |
| fly lead | A lead that connects IT equipment to the fixed infrastructure of a facility. For example, the lead that connects a workstation to a network wall socket. |
| foreign national | A person who is not an Australian citizen. |
| foreign system | A system that is not managed by, or on behalf of, the Australian Government. |
| gateway | Gateways securely manage data flows between connected networks from different security domains. |
| hardware | A generic term for IT equipment and OT equipment. |
| hardware security module | A physical computing device that safeguards cryptographic keys and provides cryptographic processing. A hardware security module is or contains a cryptographic module. Hardware security modules are commonly deployed in Public Key Infrastructure, digital identity solutions and payment systems. |
| Hash-based Message Authentication Code | A cryptographic function that can be used to compute Message Authentication Codes using a hash function and a secret key. |
| High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment | Cryptographic equipment that has been authorised by ASD for the protection of SECRET and TOP SECRET data. |
| High Assurance Evaluation Program | The rigorous investigation, analysis, verification and validation of products by ASD to protect SECRET and TOP SECRET data. |
| high assurance IT equipment | IT equipment that has been designed and authorised for the protection of SECRET and TOP SECRET data. |
| high-value server | A server that provides important network services or contains data repositories. For example, Domain Name System servers, database servers, email servers, file servers and web servers. |
| hybrid hard drive | Non-volatile magnetic media that uses a cache to increase read/write speeds and reduce boot times. The cache is normally non-volatile flash memory media. |
| information technology | Hardware, software and supporting infrastructure used for the processing, storage or communication of data. |
| Infosec Registered Assessors Program | An initiative of ASD designed to register suitably qualified individuals to carry out security assessments for systems. |
| infrared device | Devices such as mice, keyboards and pointing devices that have an infrared communications capability. |
| insider | Any person that has, or had, authorised logical or physical access to a system and its resources. |
| insider threat | An insider that performs, or attempts to perform, damaging activities (either intentionally or unintentionally) to a system or its resources. Some organisations may choose to exclude unintentional damage to systems and their resources (often referred to as negligent or accidental damage) from their definition of insider threat in order to focus on insiders with malicious intent (often referred to as malicious insiders). |
| integrity | The assurance that data has been created, amended or deleted only by authorised individuals. |
| interactive authentication | Authentication that involves the interaction of a person with a system. |
| Internet Protocol Security | A suite of protocols for secure communications through authentication or encryption of Internet Protocol (IP) packets as well as including protocols for cryptographic key establishment. |
| Internet Protocol telephony | The transport of telephone calls over IP networks. |
| Internet Protocol version 6 | A protocol used for communicating over packet switched networks. Version 6 is the successor to version 4 which is widely used on the internet. |
| Intrusion Detection System | An automated system used to identify malicious or unwanted activities. An Intrusion Detection System can be host-based or network-based. |
| Intrusion Prevention System | An automated system used to identify malicious or unwanted activities and react in real-time to block or prevent such activities. An Intrusion Prevention System can be host-based or network-based. |
| IRAP assessment | A security assessment conducted by an IRAP assessor against the requirements of the Information Security Manual. |
| IT equipment | Any device that can process, store or communicate data within IT environments, such as computers, multifunction devices, network devices, smartphones, electronic storage media and smart devices. |
| jump server | A computer which is used to manage important or critical resources in a separate security domain. Also known as a jump host or jump box. |
| key encapsulation mechanism | A form of asymmetric cryptography that carries out two functions. Specifically, generating an encryption session key and then securely transporting it to the receiver. |
| key management | The use and management of cryptographic keys and associated hardware and software. It includes their generation, registration, distribution, installation, usage, protection, storage, access, recovery and destruction. |
| keying material | Cryptographic keys generated or used by cryptographic equipment or software. |
| logging facility | A facility that includes software which generates events and their associated details, the transmission (if necessary) of event logs, and how they are stored. |
| malicious actors | Individuals or organisations that conduct malicious activities, such as cyber espionage, cyber attacks or cyber-enabled crime. |
| malicious code | Any software that attempts to subvert the confidentiality, integrity or availability of a system. |
| malicious code infection | The occurrence of malicious code infecting a system. |
| media | A generic term for hardware, often portable in nature, which is used to store data. |
| media destruction | The process of physically damaging media with the intent of making data stored on it inaccessible. To destroy media effectively, only the actual material in which data is stored needs to be destroyed. |
| media disposal | The process of relinquishing control of media when it is no longer required. |
| media sanitisation | The process of erasing or overwriting data stored on media so that it cannot be retrieved or reconstructed. |
| memory-safe programming languages | Programming languages that prevent the introduction of vulnerabilities related to memory use. Examples of memory-safe programming languages include C#, Go, Java, Ruby, Rust and Swift. Examples of non-memory-safe programming languages include Assembly and C/C++. |
| metadata | Descriptive data about the content and context used to identify data. |
| mobile device | A portable computing or communications device. For example, smartphones, tablets and laptop computers. |
| multi-factor authentication | Authentication using two or more different authentication factors. This may include something users know, something users have or something users are. |
| multifunction device | IT equipment that combines printing, scanning, copying, faxing or voice messaging functionality in the one device. These devices are often designed to connect to computer and telephone networks simultaneously. |
| need-to-know | The principle of restricting an individual’s access to only the data they require to fulfil the duties of their role. |
| network access control | Security policies used to control access to a network and actions on a network. This can include authentication checks and authorisation controls. |
| network device | IT equipment designed to facilitate the communication of data. For example, routers, switches and wireless access points. |
| network infrastructure | The infrastructure used to carry data between workstations and servers or other network devices. |
| network management traffic | Network traffic generated by system administrators over a network in order to control workstations and servers. This includes standard management protocols and other network traffic that contains data relating to the management of the network. |
| non-interactive authentication | Authentication between systems or services that does not involve the interaction of a person. |
| non-repudiation | Providing proof that a user performed an action, and in doing so preventing a user from denying that they did so. |
| non-volatile flash memory media | A specific type of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. |
| non-volatile media | A type of media which retains its data when power is removed. |
| off-hook audio protection | A method of mitigating the possibility of an active handset inadvertently allowing background discussions to be heard by a remote party. This can be achieved through the use of a hold feature, mute feature, push-to-talk handset or equivalent. |
| online services | Services accessed by users over the internet (also known as internet-facing services). |
| OpenPGP Message Format | An open-source implementation of Pretty Good Privacy, a widely available cryptographic toolkit. |
| operational technology | Systems that detect or cause a direct change to the physical environment through the monitoring or control of devices, processes and events. Operational technology is predominantly used to describe industrial control systems which include supervisory control and data acquisition systems and distributed control systems. |
| OT equipment | Any device that can process, store or communicate data or signals within OT environments, such as programmable logic controllers and remote terminal units. |
| passphrase | A sequence of words used for authentication. |
| password | A sequence of characters used for authentication. |
| password complexity | The use of different character sets, such as lower-case alphabetical characters (a-z), upper-case alphabetical characters (A-Z), numeric characters (0-9) and special characters. |
| passwordless authentication | Authentication that does not involve the use of something users know. Passwordless authentication may be single-factor or multi-factor, with the later often referred to as passwordless multi-factor authentication. |
| passwordless multi-factor authentication | Multi-factor authentication using something users have that is unlocked by something users know or are. Note, while a memorised secret may be used as part of passwordless multi-factor authentication (e.g. to unlock access to a cryptographic private key stored on a device) it is not the primary authentication factor, hence the use of the passwordless terminology. |
| patch | A piece of software designed to remedy vulnerabilities or improve the usability or performance of software, IT equipment or OT equipment. |
| patch cable | A metallic (copper) or fibre-optic cable used for routing signals between two components in an enclosed container or rack. |
| patch panel | A group of sockets or connectors that allow manual configuration changes, generally by means of connecting patch cables. |
| penetration test | A penetration test is designed to exercise real-world scenarios in an attempt to achieve a specific goal, such as compromising critical systems, applications or data. |
| Perfect Forward Secrecy | Additional security for security associations ensuring that if one security association is compromised subsequent security associations will not be compromised. |
| peripheral switch | A device used to share a set of peripherals between multiple computers. For example, a keyboard, video monitor and mouse. |
| plan of action and milestones | A document that describes vulnerabilities in a system and the plans for their rectification. |
| position of trust | A position that involves duties that require a higher level of assurance than that provided by normal employment screening. In some cases, additional screening may be required. Positions of trust can include, but are not limited to, Chief Information Security Officers and their delegates, system administrators and privileged users. |
| post-quantum cryptography | Asymmetric cryptography designed to remain secure in the presence of a cryptographically relevant quantum computer. |
| post-quantum traditional hybrid scheme | An asymmetric cryptographic scheme that incorporates at least two different components based on different mathematically hard problems. Generally, post-quantum traditional hybrid schemes are used to combine post-quantum cryptography and traditional cryptography such that defeating the scheme requires defeating each component. |
| privileged operating environments | Privileged operating environments are those used for activities that require a degree of privileged access, such as system administration activities. |
| privileged user accounts | A user account that has the capability to modify system configurations, account privileges, event logs or security configurations for applications. This also applies to user accounts that may only have limited privileges but still have the ability to bypass some of a system’s controls. A privileged user account may belong to a person or a service. |
| product | A generic term used to describe software or hardware. |
| PROTECTED area | An area that has been authorised to process, store or communicate PROTECTED data. Such areas are not necessarily tied to a specific level of security zone. |
| Protection Profile | A document that stipulates the security functionality that must be included in a Common Criteria evaluation to meet a range of defined threats. Protection Profiles also define the activities to be taken to assess the security function of an evaluated product. |
| protective marking | An administrative label assigned to data that not only shows the value of the data but also defines the level of protection to be provided. |
| public data | Data that has been formally authorised for release into the public domain. |
| public network infrastructure | Network infrastructure that an organisation has no control over, such as the internet. |
| Public Switched Telephone Network | Public network infrastructure used for voice communications. |
| push-to-talk handsets | Handsets that have a button which is pressed by the user before audio can be communicated, thus providing off-hook audio protection. |
| quality of service | The ability to provide different priorities to different applications, users or data flows, or to guarantee a certain level of performance to a data flow. |
| Radio Frequency transmitter | A device designed to transmit electromagnetic radiation as part of a radio communication system. |
| reclassification | An administrative decision to change the controls used to protect data based on a reassessment of the potential impact of its unauthorised disclosure. The lowering of the controls for media containing sensitive or classified data often requires sanitisation or destruction processes to be undertaken prior to a formal decision to lower the controls protecting the data. |
| Releasable To data | Data not to be passed to, or accessed by, foreign nationals beyond those belonging to specific nations which the data has been authorised for release to. |
| remote access | Access to a system that originates from outside an organisation’s network and enters the network through a gateway, including over the internet. |
| removable media | Storage media that can be easily removed from a system and is designed for removal, such as Universal Serial Bus flash drives and optical media. |
| seconded foreign national | A representative of a foreign government on exchange or long-term posting. |
| SECRET area | An area that has been authorised to process, store or communicate SECRET data. Such areas are not necessarily tied to a specific level of security zone. |
| Secure Admin Workstation | A hardened workstation, or virtualised privileged operating environment, used specifically in the performance of administrative activities. |
| Secure Shell | A network protocol that can be used to securely log into, execute commands on, and transfer files between remote workstations and servers. |
| secure-by-default | A software development principle whereby products and services are configured for maximum security by default. |
| secure-by-demand | When a customer requests that their suppliers provide evidence of their commitment to security and transparency for their products and services. |
| secure-by-design | A software development principle whereby security is designed into every stage of a product or service’s development. |
| Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension | A protocol which allows the encryption and signing of email messages. |
| secured space | An area certified to the physical security requirements for a Security Zone Two to Security Zone Five area, as defined in the Department of Home Affairs’ Protective Security Policy Framework. |
| security assessment | An activity undertaken to assess controls for a system and its environment to determine if they have been implemented correctly and are operating as intended. |
| security assessment report | A document that describes the outcomes of a security assessment and contributes to the development of a plan of action and milestones. |
| security association | A collection of connection-specific parameters used for IPsec connections. |
| security association lifetime | The duration a security association is valid for. |
| Security Construction and Equipment Committee | An Australian Government interdepartmental committee responsible for the evaluation and endorsement of security equipment and services. The committee is chaired by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. |
| security documentation | An organisation’s cyber security strategy; system-specific security documentation; and any supporting diagrams, plans, policies, processes, procedures and registers. |
| security domain | A system or collection of systems operating under a consistent security policy that defines the classification, releasability and special handling caveats for data processed within the domain. |
| security posture | The level of security risk to which a system is exposed. A system with a strong security posture is exposed to a low level of security risk while a system with a weak security posture is exposed to a high level of security risk. |
| security risk | Any event that could result in the compromise, loss of integrity or unavailability of data or resources, or deliberate harm to people measured in terms of its likelihood and consequences. |
| security risk appetite | Statements that communicate the expectations of an organisation’s senior management about their security risk tolerance. These criteria help an organisation identify security risks, prepare appropriate treatments and provide a benchmark against which the success of mitigations can be measured. |
| security risk management | The process of identifying, assessing and taking steps to reduce security risks to an acceptable level. |
| security target | An artefact of Common Criteria evaluations that specifies conformance claims, threats and assumptions, security objectives, and security requirements for an evaluated product. |
| sensitive data | Data that would cause damage to an organisation or an individual if compromised. |
| server | A computer that provides services to users or other systems. For example, a file server, email server or database server. |
| service accounts | User accounts that are used to perform automated tasks without manual intervention, such as machine to machine communications. Service accounts will typically be configured to disallow interactive logins. |
| shared responsibility model | A framework that describes the management and operational responsibilities between different parties for a system. Where responsibilities relating to specific controls are shared between multiple parties, enough detail is documented to provide clear demarcation between the parties. |
| software | An element of a system including, but not limited to, an application or operating system. |
| solid-state drive | Non-volatile media that uses non-volatile flash memory media to retain its data when power is removed and, unlike non-volatile magnetic media, contains no moving parts. |
| split tunnelling | Functionality that allows personnel to access public network infrastructure and a Virtual Private Network connection at the same time, such as an organisation’s system and the internet. |
| Standard Operating Environment | A standardised build of an operating system and associated software that can be used for servers, workstations and mobile devices. |
| supplier | Organisations, such as application developers, IT equipment manufacturers, OT equipment manufacturers, service providers and data brokers, that provide products and services. Suppliers can also include other organisations involved in distribution channels. |
| symmetric cryptographic algorithms | Cryptographic algorithms that use the same key for encryption and decryption. Block ciphers and stream ciphers are common types of symmetric cryptographic algorithms. |
| system | A related set of hardware, software and supporting infrastructure used for the processing, storage or communication of data and the governance framework in which it operates. |
| system administrator | A system (or application) administration role performed by a privileged user that hold a position of trust. |
| system classification | The classification of a system is the highest classification of data which the system is authorised to store, process or communicate. |
| system owner | The executive responsible for a system. |
| system security plan | A document that describes a system and its associated controls. |
| system-specific security documentation | A system’s system security plan, cyber security incident response plan, continuous monitoring plan, security assessment report, and plan of action and milestones. |
| telemetry | The automatic measurement and transmission of data collected from remote sources. Such data is often used within systems to measure the use, performance and health of one or more functions or devices that make up the system. |
| telephone | A device that is used for point-to-point communication over a distance. This includes digital and IP telephony. |
| telephone system | A system designed primarily for the transmission of voice communications. |
| TOP SECRET area | An area that has been authorised to process, store or communicate TOP SECRET data. Such areas are not necessarily tied to a specific level of security zone. |
| traditional cryptography | Common well studied and understood cryptographic algorithms that existed before the threat of a cryptographically relevant quantum computer existed. |
| Transfer Cross Domain Solution | A system that facilitates the transfer of data, in one or multiple directions (low to high or high to low), between different security domains. |
| transport mode | An IPsec mode that provides a secure connection between two endpoints by encapsulating an IP payload. |
| trusted source | A person or system formally identified as being capable of reliably producing data meeting certain defined parameters, such as a maximum data classification and reliably reviewing data produced by others to confirm compliance with certain defined parameters. |
| tunnel mode | An IPsec mode that provides a secure connection between two endpoints by encapsulating an entire IP packet. |
| unprivileged user accounts | A user account that does not have the capability to modify system configurations, account privileges, event logs or security configurations for applications. An unprivileged user account may belong to a person or a service. |
| unprivileged operating environments | Unprivileged operating environments are those used for activities that do not require privileged access, such as reading emails and browsing the web. |
| unsecured space | An area not certified to the physical security requirements for a Security Zone Two to Security Zone Five area, as defined in the Department of Home Affairs’ Protective Security Policy Framework. |
| untrusted device | Any IT equipment that an organisation does not trust. For example, unknown IT equipment (which might belong to malicious actors), or an uncontrolled personal mobile device of an employee. |
| user | An individual that works for an organisation and is authorised to access a system. |
| user accounts | User accounts include privileged user accounts and unprivileged user accounts. |
| validation | Confirmation (through the provision of strong, sound, objective evidence) that requirements for a specific intended use or application have been fulfilled. |
| verification | Confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled. |
| Virtual Local Area Network | Network devices and networked IT equipment grouped logically based on resources, security or business requirements instead of their physical location. |
| Virtual Private Network | A network that maintains privacy through a tunnelling protocol and security procedures. Virtual Private Networks may use encryption to protect network traffic. |
| virtualisation | Simulation of a hardware platform, operating system, application, storage device or network resource. |
| volatile media | A type of media, such as random-access memory, which gradually loses its data when power is removed. |
| vulnerability | A weakness in a system’s security requirements, design, implementation or operation that could be accidentally triggered or intentionally exploited and result in a violation of the system’s security policy. |
| vulnerability assessment | A vulnerability assessment can consist of a documentation-based review of a system’s design, an in-depth hands-on assessment or automated scanning with software tools. In each case, the goal is to identify as many vulnerabilities as possible. |
| wear levelling | A technique used in non-volatile flash memory media to prolong the life of the media. As data can be written to and erased from memory blocks a finite number of times, wear-levelling helps to distribute writes evenly across each memory block, thereby decreasing wear and increasing its lifetime. |
| Wi-Fi Protected Access | A protocol designed for communicating data over wireless networks. |
| Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 | A protocol designed to replace the Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol for communicating data over wireless networks. |
| Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 | A protocol designed to replace the WPA2 protocol for communicating data over wireless networks. |
| wireless access point | A device which enables communications between wireless clients. It is typically also the device which connects wired and wireless networks. |
| wireless communications | The transmission of data over a communications path using electromagnetic waves rather than a wired medium. |
| wireless network | A network based on the 802.11 standards. |
| workstation | A stand-alone or networked single-user computer. |
| X11 forwarding | X11, also known as the X Window System, is a basic method of video display used in a variety of operating systems. X11 forwarding allows the video display from one device to be shown on another device. |
