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

While no cyber defense is impenetrable, fixating on technical design proves futile when incentives, incompetence and indifference undermine internal controls design, implementation and effectiveness. —Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Given attacks in the wild, America’s cyber defense agency issued a mandatory warning for federal staff to update or stop using browsers by June 5. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Now America’s cyber defense agency has issued an update warning for all affected devices, with a May 27 deadline to either update or stop using phones. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

The increasing adoption of generative artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing should also contribute to more necessary comprehensive cyber defense solutions, Tunkel added. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 6 May 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