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

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

To strengthen its cyber defenses, China focused on revamping and expanding cybersecurity education programs and recruitment efforts between 2015 and 2021. —Kim Zetter, WIRED, 18 Sep. 2024

There is no consensus on the government side, and some agencies charged with cyber defense are more closely aligned with big tech than their paymasters. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Neuberger also pointed to the administration's work to tap AI for cyber defenses, as seen in the 2023 AI executive order (which Trump has promised to rescind) and this week's cybersecurity order. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 17 Jan. 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