cyber defense
noun
variants
or less commonly cyberdefense
plural cyber defenses also cyberdefenses
1
: steps or measures taken to protect online resources (such as a computer network or database) against unauthorized access or attack : cybersecurity
… the cost of cyberattacks—from business disruption and lost data to system downtime, damage to your company's reputation and even legal liability—is higher than ever. Cyber defense needs to be a major component of your business strategy.—
Chron.com
Chron.comOfficials said that while traditionally cities and local governments took an independent approach to cyber defense and protecting technology, "acting alone is no longer optimal."—Zak Failla
Zak FaillaState lawmakers similarly have cyberdefense in focus, allocating approximately $18 million of a $64.1 billion supplemental budget package toward higher education cybersecurity training programs.—Greg Mason
Greg Mason2
: the capability to resist cyberattacks
The behavior of employees is also critical for an organization's cyber defense since 82% of data breaches in 2021 involved a "human element."—Parvinder Walia
Parvinder Walia3
cyber defenses also cyberdefenses plural
: the software, hardware, etc. used to protect against cyberattacks
Biden issued an urgent warning to American business leaders yesterday, telling them to strengthen their companies' cyber defenses immediately.—Alexandra Meeks
Alexandra MeeksUkraine has been deliberate about creating a volunteer force of hackers, offering rewards for those who can pinpoint flaws in Russian cyberdefenses.—Cora Engelbrecht
Cora EngelbrechtExamples of cyber defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, there are ways to build a stronger cyber defense against all odds.
—Amarandhar Kotha, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Physically robust forces can have a dangerous Achilles Heel if their cyber defenses are inadequate, which could lead to the entire force being disabled at a stroke.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Catch up quick: This is the latest hit to the nation's cyber defense agency during the second Trump administration.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 4 Apr. 2025
Currently, our cyber defense is disastrously fragmented across multiple entities—U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), NSA, Department of Homeland Security, CISA, FBI, and the private sector.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cyber defense
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Amarandhar Kotha, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Physically robust forces can have a dangerous Achilles Heel if their cyber defenses are inadequate, which could lead to the entire force being disabled at a stroke.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Catch up quick: This is the latest hit to the nation's cyber defense agency during the second Trump administration.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 4 Apr. 2025
Currently, our cyber defense is disastrously fragmented across multiple entities—U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), NSA, Department of Homeland Security, CISA, FBI, and the private sector.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cyber defense
Cite this Entry
“Cyber defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyber%20defense. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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