The low-level software in a computer or network device that drives the core operation. Upgrading the firmware generally means downtime, so it's the part of the system that seldom gets upgraded until something goes wrong because of a bug in it. Prioritize vendors that provide reliable customer support to assist with implementation and ongoing maintenance.

A file on a computer that the user thinks has been deleted but which probably hasn't: unless you specifically use the "secure delete" function if there is one, deleting a file usually just leaves it there but takes its entry out of the directory. Very useful if you delete something by mistake as you can get utilities to recover "deleted" files, but less useful if you lose your disk because anyone else can also get utilities to recover "deleted" files. See also Zeroisation. A means of Examination in which the student's psychological profile is examined rather than his or her knowledge in a particular subject area. Psychometric testing examines areas such as personality, attitude or beliefs. A situation or event that could possibly have an adverse effect on a computer system, but which has yet to occur. Largely synonymous with Professional Development, CPD is the common term for the measure of the ongoing development undertaken by an individual to maintain a current and relevant level of practice. "CPD credits" are the common units of measurement: one credit generally equates to one hour of attendance at a seminar or conference, for example.Software that is put at the edge of your network to prevent users from accessing material on the Internet that is classed as threatening or otherwise unwanted. An evaluation of an individual's work by another individual with similar skills, qualifications and Competency. The other of the two Cryptographic Keys in a Public Key Cryptography setup, alongside the Private Key.

A technology setup in which a third party owns and manages the infrastructure whose resources are then consumed by other organisations. Just a month after WannaCry destabilized major infrastructure across the globe, a new ransomware infection broke out, hitting sensitive targets with Windows systems. A sequence of characters used by Users alongside their user IDs as part of the process of gaining access to a computer system. In a resilient implementation where primary and secondary systems enter a state where the secondary mistakenly acts as if it were the primary, causing network disruption due to traffic routing inconsistently and switching between the two devices.

Engage with professionals who can analyze your specific needs, recommend appropriate solutions, and assist with implementation.

An industry standard for assessing the severity of a Vulnerability on a computer system and representing it as a "score" between 0 (no risk) and 10 (severe risk). A qualification, training scheme or course that is recognised as satisfying the minimum required standard by an organisation. Use safe connections. Never access sensitive information over free public Wi-Fi and consider avoiding using such Internet access altogether, especially from any device on which you perform sensitive activities or access sensitive information.The connection provided by your cellular service is likely far more secure than any public Wi-Fi, and such connections can usually be shared by multiple devices if you turn on your phone’s “mobile hotspot” feature.

The discipline of transforming data from its raw form into a form where it cannot easily be read by unauthorised individuals. If someone is new to the organization) Have you seen anything in your past organizations that you think would work here? Maintaining the confidentiality of systems and data such that they are readable, and read, only by those authorised to do so. A network is a connection between two or more computers so that they can communicate with each other. For example: A situation in which there are too few people with appropriate skills to fill all jobs - that is, there is a mismatch between the skills that employers rely upon in their employees, and the skills that job seekers possess.

Monitor and secure hybrid environments, including cloud, mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology Also a variable passed into a cryptographic algorithm or Pseudorandom Number Generator to improve randomness/strength. The act of actively engaging to comply with the requirements of an organisation along with other requirements such as behaving appropriately in society in general or engaging in Continuing Professional Development. The next level up from an Audit Log: an audit trail is a chronology of events but is generally more human-readable than an Audit Log. The latter is system-generated and hence can be cryptic; the audit trail is built by a human being using sources such as the audit log and is written to be readable by non-technical people.A certificate issued by a Certification Authority to sign the certificate of another Certification Authority. The "edge" of a system or network, where it connects to another system or network. For example, the firewall providing connectivity between the Local Area Network and the internet is part of the Boundary. An assessment of an organisation's operation against one or more specified standards. Internal audits, often called first-party audits, are conducted as self-assessments by the organisation itself; external, or third-party audits, are conducted by an independent assessor from outside the organisation. A regime of education which combines classroom and off-line study with on-the-job, practical, hands-on training. Cyber-criminals use some common scams to target online shoppers, but you can protect yourself from internet scams easily.