Skip to content
SynAc
Term

exposure

The condition of being unprotected, thereby allowing access to information or access to capabilities that an attacker can use to enter a system or network.

Senses

Sense 1

The condition of being unprotected, thereby allowing access to information or access to capabilities that an attacker can use to enter a system or network.

References
  • NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity VocabularyJan 06, 2026
    NICCS glossary export (CSV)
    https://niccs.cisa.gov/rest/vocab/export-csv
    NICCS is a CISA (DHS) program. Individual glossary entries include a "From" attribution (e.g., CNSSI 4009, NIST SPs, NICE Framework). Treat "From" values as upstream provenance and verify before quoting large portions of text.
    Source: NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity Vocabulary (niccs.cisa.gov).
(I)

A type of threat action whereby sensitive data is directly released to an unauthorized entity. (See: unauthorized disclosure.)

Usage: This type of threat action includes the following subtypes:

  • "Deliberate Exposure": Intentional release of sensitive data to an unauthorized entity.

  • "Scavenging": Searching through data residue in a system to gain unauthorized knowledge of sensitive data.

  • "Human error": /exposure/ Human action or inaction that unintentionally results in an entity gaining unauthorized knowledge of sensitive data. (Compare: corruption, incapacitation.)

  • "Hardware or software error": /exposure/ System failure that unintentionally results in an entity gaining unauthorized

    knowledge of sensitive data. (Compare: corruption, incapacitation.)

References
  • IETF RFC 4949 (Internet Security Glossary)Jan 06, 2026
    RFC 4949 — Internet Security Glossary (Version 2)
    https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4949.txt
    RFC 4949 is published by the IETF Trust and marked as "Distribution of this memo is unlimited". Verify IETF Trust copyright/licensing terms for reuse.
    Source: IETF RFC 4949 (rfc-editor.org).