Acronyms Suck… But Here’s Your Cybersecurity Acronym Guide Anyways
Cybersec Café #86 - 09/30/25
When I first started in cybersecurity, I was lost.
Every meeting, it felt like I was listening to a foreign language. Not only was I trying to absorb a new industry and an endless stream of technical concepts, but the acronyms made it nearly impossible to follow along.
If I wasn’t confused going into a meeting, I most certainly was confused coming out of the meeting.
I think Elon Musk, a CEO with a track record of talking about efficiency in the workplace, said it best:
“Excessive use of made up acronyms is a significant impediment to communication… A few acronyms here and there may not seem bad, but if a thousand people are making these up, over time, the result will be a huge glossary that we have to issue to new employees. No one can actually remember all of these dumb acronyms and people don’t want to seem dumb in a meeting, so they sit there in ignorance. This is particularly tough on new employees.”
That quote sums up my first six months in cybersecurity perfectly.
But as much as we would like to ditch acronyms altogether, that’s not realistic. They exist for a reason - they make conversations faster and prevent us from saying five-word technical phrases over and over again.
Cybersecurity is already tough enough - let’s not make it harder with all of these acronyms.
While I can’t give you a guide to company specific acronyms, I decided to compile a list of acronyms spread across three categories: General Tech, Networks, and Cybersecurity Specific.
Whether you’re new to the field or just need a quick refresher in the middle of a meeting, use this as your cheat sheet.
General Tech Acronyms
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules that lets software programs talk to each other.
CLI (Command-Line Interface): A text-based way to interact with your computer by typing commands instead of clicking.
DNS (Domain Name System): The “phonebook of the internet” that translates website names (like google.com) into IP addresses.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): The visual part of software (windows, icons, buttons) that makes it easier to use.
IDE (Integrated Development Environment): A software tool that gives programmers everything they need to write and debug code in one place.
IP (Internet Protocol): The addressing system that lets devices send and receive data across the internet.
OS (Operating System): The core software (like Windows, macOS, Linux) that manages your computer’s hardware and applications.
RAM (Random Access Memory): The short-term memory of a computer that stores data the system is actively using.
SaaS (Software as a Service): Cloud-based applications you access over the internet instead of installing locally (e.g., Gmail, Slack).
SDK (Software Development Kit): A collection of tools and libraries developers use to build applications for a specific platform.
SQL (Structured Query Language): The standard language used to interact with and manage databases.
UI/UX (User Interface / User Experience): UI is what you see and click, UX is how it feels to use the software overall.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The web address you type into a browser to visit a specific page or resource.
VM (Virtual Machine): A “computer inside a computer” that runs its own operating system on top of another system.
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Networking Acronyms
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): Maps an IP address to the physical MAC address of a device on a network.
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol): The routing protocol that decides how data travels between large networks across the internet.
CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing): A way to represent IP address ranges more efficiently than the old class-based system.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Automatically assigns IP addresses and network settings to devices.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): An older protocol used to transfer files between computers over a network.
FW (Firewall): A security barrier that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.
HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol / Secure): The protocol that powers the web, with HTTPS adding encryption for security.
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol): Used by network devices to send error messages and diagnostics (like “ping”).
ISP (Internet Service Provider): The company that provides you access to the internet.
LAN (Local Area Network): A network of devices in a small physical area, like a home or office.
MAC (Media Access Control): A unique hardware address assigned to every network interface card (NIC).
NACL (Network Access Control List): A set of rules that control what traffic is allowed in or out of a network.
NAT (Network Address Translation): Lets multiple devices share a single public IP address by translating traffic.
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection): A conceptual model that describes how different layers of networking work together.
QoS (Quality of Service): Manages bandwidth and prioritizes network traffic to improve performance.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): The protocol used to send email across the internet.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol): Allows administrators to monitor and manage network devices.
SSH (Secure Shell): A secure way to remotely log into and manage servers over a network.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol): The foundational suite of protocols that power the internet.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A faster but less reliable protocol for sending data, often used for streaming or gaming.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): Encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address for privacy and security.
WAF (Web Application Firewall): A firewall specifically designed to protect web applications from common attacks.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): A Wi-Fi network that connects devices without cables.
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Cybersecurity Acronyms
APT (Advanced Persistent Threat): A long-term, targeted cyberattack where attackers quietly stay inside a network to steal data.
AV (Antivirus): Software that scans and removes malicious programs from computers.
C2 (Command and Control): The server that attackers use to remotely control compromised machines.
CERT/CSIRT (Computer Emergency Response Team / Computer Security Incident Response Team): Specialized teams that handle and respond to cybersecurity incidents.
CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures): A public catalog of known software and hardware security flaws.
DLP (Data Loss Prevention): Tools and policies that prevent sensitive data from leaking outside an organization.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): An attack that floods a system or website with traffic from many sources to make it unavailable.
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response): Security tools that monitor computers and devices for suspicious activity and attacks.
IAM (Identity and Access Management): The framework for managing user identities and controlling who can access what.
IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection System / Intrusion Prevention System): Systems that detect (IDS) or block (IPS) malicious activity on a network.
IOC (Indicator of Compromise): A clue or artifact (like a file hash, IP, or domain) that suggests a system has been attacked.
MITRE ATT&CK: A knowledge base that documents real-world hacker tactics and techniques for defenders to study.
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication): A login method requiring more than one proof of identity (like password + code on your phone).
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): A U.S. agency that publishes widely used cybersecurity standards and guidelines.
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure): The system that manages encryption keys and digital certificates to enable secure communications.
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): A platform that collects, analyzes, and alerts on security logs across an organization.
SOC (Security Operations Center): The team or facility that monitors and responds to security threats in real time.
SAST/DAST (Static/Dynamic Application Security Testing): Tools that scan code (SAST) or running apps (DAST) for vulnerabilities.
SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response): Tools that automate security workflows and incident response tasks.
TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures): The patterns of behavior attackers use, from strategy down to specific methods.
XDR (Extended Detection and Response): A security solution that integrates threat detection across endpoints, networks, and cloud systems.
ZTA (Zero Trust Architecture): A security model that assumes no one, inside or outside the network, should be trusted by default.
💬 Did I miss any? Drop them in the comments below!
Acronym King
As much as acronyms suck, they’re here to stay..
That means the faster you get up to speed, the easier it’ll be to follow along in architecture reviews, change boards, or even just your day-to-day team conversations.
And let’s be honest - nobody wants to say “Endpoint Detection and Response” every time when a simple “EDR” will do.
Use this as a guide to strengthen your acronym game, and better yet, contribute to it in the comments and help others out in the Cybersec Café community!
Securely Yours,
Ryan G. Cox
P.S. The Cybersec Cafe follows a weekly cadence.
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