The field of cybersecurity features a growing list of terminology to describe the many forms, channels, and motivations behind cyberattacks and hacking culture. Here are further definitions for some key terms featured throughout the ransomware case study.

Attack surface: The number of all possible points, or attack vectors, where a hacker can gain unauthorized access to a system and extract data.

Aly McDevitt is Data & Research Journalist at Compliance Week. She has a background in education and college consulting. Prior to teaching, she was an editor/author at Thomson Reuters, where she reported...