The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

Deidentification: A process where personally identifiable information (PII) is removed or anonymized from a dataset. The aim is to protect the privacy of individuals by ensuring that the data cannot be traced back to them. This technique is often used in data analytics and research, where large volumes of data are needed, but the identification of specific individuals is not.

Delphi Technique: A structured communication method originally developed as a systematic, interactive forecasting method that relies on a panel of experts. The experts answer questionnaires in two or more rounds. After each round, a facilitator provides an anonymous summary of the experts' forecasts from the previous round, as well as the reasons they provided for their judgments. This process is intended to encourage convergence toward a correct answer over several rounds. The Delphi Technique is used for data collection and group problem-solving, particularly suitable for issues that do not have a precise analytical solution.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): A physical or logical subnetwork that separates an organization's internal network from an untrusted network, usually the Internet. By placing servers that interact directly with the external environment, such as web servers or email servers, in the DMZ, an additional layer of security is established that helps protect the more sensitive internal systems from unauthorized access or attacks.

Deming Cycle: The Deming Cycle, also known as PDCA, is a framework for continuous improvement in business processes. It consists of four iterative steps - Plan (identify and strategize change), Do (execute the change), Check (evaluate results), and act (implement or refine changes based on the evaluation). This model is essential for process optimization and quality management.

Demodulation: The process of extracting the original information-bearing signal from a carrier wave. A demodulator takes a modulated carrier signal, which has specific characteristics set by a modulating signal, and converts it back into its original form or something close to it. It is the reverse process of modulation, which is used to encode information onto a carrier wave for transmission. Demodulation is a key function in radio receivers, televisions, and other telecommunications and data communication systems.

Demographic: Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it, often used for identifying trends. It typically includes factors such as age, gender, income level, education, occupation, and ethnicity. Businesses and governments use demographic information for market research, policy-making, and targeted advertising.