cyber defense

noun

variants or less commonly cyberdefense

ˈsī-bər-di-ˌfen(t)s 

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

Officials 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

State 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

2

: 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

3

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

Ukraine has been deliberate about creating a volunteer force of hackers, offering rewards for those who can pinpoint flaws in Russian cyberdefenses.

—Cora Engelbrecht

Examples of cyber defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That said, there is another issue behind the scenes here: a U.S. update mandate from its government’s cyber defense agency. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

More than 130 probationary employees fired last month from the nation's top cyber defense agency will be reinstated Monday, after the Trump administration scrambled to comply with a sweeping court order issued last week. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025

Shares of the French aerospace and missile maker Thales have jumped more than 70%, the U.K. defense giant BAE Systems, which develops combat vehicles, naval ships and cyber defense systems, is up nearly 40%, and the French fighter jet maker Dassault is up 15% over the same period. —Steve Kopack, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025

Nearly three years ago, the longtime senior intelligence analyst left the Navy, after being recruited by the nation's top cyber defense agency and rising up through the ranks. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cyber defense

• hyperintense
• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• penitence
• recommence
• recompence
• recompense
• cense