The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

Chaos engineering: A method of testing the resilience and robustness of systems by intentionally introducing failures or disruptions into a system in a controlled manner. It is used to identify and address potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities in a system and to ensure that it can withstand unexpected failures or events. Examples of chaos engineering include testing the ability of a system to recover from a database failure or simulating a network outage.

Check digit: A form of redundancy check used for error detection on identification numbers (e.g., bank account numbers, credit card numbers). It is a digit added to a string of numbers and is calculated from the other digits in the string. The presence of this additional digit helps in identifying incorrect input of the number sequence, thereby aiding in the prevention of data entry errors and enhancing the integrity of data.

Check Digit Verification (Self-Checking Digit): A form of error detection mechanism that ensures the integrity of data during transmission or entry. It involves using a formula to calculate a check digit from the other digits in a string and then comparing that check digit to the one included with the string. If the calculated check digit matches the included one, the data is assumed to be correct; if not, an error is assumed, prompting a recheck or rejection of the data. This mechanism helps maintain data accuracy and can serve as a first line of defense against certain types of data corruption or fraudulent activity.

Checklist: A structured list of items required, things to be done, or points to be considered, used as a reminder. From a security perspective, a checklist can help ensure that all necessary procedures have been followed, security controls are in place, and potential vulnerabilities are addressed. This might include tasks to perform, security controls to implement, or guidelines to follow when developing or managing a system. Checklists can help reduce human error and ensure a consistent approach to managing security.

Checklist test: A test that is conducted by following a checklist of specific steps or tasks. It is commonly used in quality assurance or compliance testing to ensure that all necessary steps are followed and all relevant criteria are met. Examples of checklist tests include a checklist for testing the functionality of a software application or a checklist for conducting a security audit.

Checkpoint restart procedures: A method of managing long-running processes where intermediary results of a process are saved at 'checkpoints.' If the process is interrupted, rather than starting from the beginning, it restarts from the last checkpoint. This strategy is crucial for maintaining system availability and data integrity during unexpected events like system crashes or power outages. Besides saving time, these procedures can also help prevent data loss and minimize the potential for data corruption.