cybersecurity

IPA/ˈsaɪbəsɪkjʊərəti/
IPA/ˈsaɪbərsɪkjʊrəti/

cybersecurity — noun

1. The practice of keeping computers, networks, and the information they store safe

1.nounB2
Definition

The practice of keeping computers, networks, and the information they store safe from theft, damage, or illegal access — especially when the threat comes through the internet.

Example

Wei's company invested in stronger cybersecurity after hackers stole customer credit card numbers.

noun as modifier: stronger cybersecurity

The hospital hired a cybersecurity expert to keep patient records safe from online attacks.

compound modifier: cybersecurity expert

Common collocations
  • improve cybersecurity
  • strengthen cybersecurity
  • cybersecurity measures
  • cybersecurity threat
  • cybersecurity strategy
  • cybersecurity breach
  • cybersecurity team
  • cybersecurity firm
Synonyms
  • information security

    broader term that also covers paper documents and physical data; cybersecurity focuses on digital systems

  • IT security

    more general term for all aspects of protecting computer systems, including hardware and physical access

  • network security

    narrower — specifically about protecting the connections between computers, not the data on each device

Antonyms
  • vulnerability

    a weakness that cybersecurity aims to prevent or fix

Grammar Patterns

cybersecurity + noun (modifier): cybersecurity team / cybersecurity measures

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a cybersecurity' or 'two cybersecurities'. Use 'cybersecurity measures' or 'a cybersecurity system' instead.

Common Mistakes

We need a good cybersecurity.
We need good cybersecurity.
cybersecurity is uncountable.
I work in cyber security.
I work in cybersecurity.
The compound is now written as one word in standard usage.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three terms relate to protecting data and systems, but cybersecurity specifically addresses threats that come through the internet and electronic networks. Information security (infosec) is the broadest of the three — it covers all data protection regardless of format, including paper files in locked cabinets. IT security overlaps heavily with cybersecurity but also includes physical security of hardware (locked server rooms, badge access). Network security is the narrowest, focusing on the communication channels between devices (firewalls, intrusion detection). In practice, a company's 'cybersecurity team' handles internet-facing threats like phishing and ransomware, while its 'IT security team' might also manage building-access badges and laptop encryption.

information securityIT securitynetwork security

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • cybersecurity strategy
  • cybersecurity measures
  • cybersecurity breach
  • cybersecurity firm

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

A compound of 'cyber-' and 'security'. The prefix 'cyber-' comes from 'cybernetics' (from Greek κυβερνήτης, kybernētēs, meaning 'steersman' or 'governor'), and was popularised in the 1980s through the term 'cyberspace'. 'Security' derives from Latin 'securus' (safe, free from care). The compound 'cybersecurity' emerged in the 1990s as the internet expanded into business and daily life, and became a standard term in the 2000s after major data breaches made digital protection a public concern.

First known use

1989

1989, in the meaning defined above