The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

IEEE 802.11: A set of media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communication. Developed by the IEEE, it is the foundation of wireless networking products, commonly known as Wi-Fi, that have revolutionized the way we connect to the Internet and to each other.

IEEE 802.11i: Also known as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2), IEEE 802.11i is an amendment to the original IEEE 802.11 standard, providing enhanced security in wireless networks. It includes provisions for robust encryption via Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), secure authentication methods, and key management protocols, ensuring the protection of sensitive information in a wireless environment. While IEEE 802.11i and WPA2 are commonly used to mean the same thing, it should be noted that IEEE 802.11i is a standard, while WPA2 is a security protocol that uses the IEEE 802.11i standard.

IEEE 802.1x: A port-based network access control protocol that provides an authentication mechanism to devices wishing to attach to a network. It is utilized in environments where a higher level of security is required, including preventing unauthorized access to network services and resources. The protocol works by enforcing a client-server model, where a client is authenticated by a server before being granted access to network resources.

IEEE 802.3: Commonly known as Ethernet, IEEE 802.3 is a family of standards defining the physical layer and data link layer's media access control (MAC) of wired networks. The standard forms the basis for the most widely deployed local area network (LAN) technology, Ethernet, allowing for devices to communicate within the same network and supporting a broad range of applications, including office networks, data centers, and telecommunication services.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): A professional organization composed of engineers, scientists, and students. Its purpose is to advance technology for the benefit of humanity. It sets standards for various fields, including electronics, telecommunications, and computing. The organization's work impacts network protocols, communication standards, hardware interfaces, and numerous other technological facets.

Immutable Infrastructure: The concept of replacing existing infrastructure components or systems instead of updating them. With an immutable infrastructure, once a system or component is deployed, it is not modified – any changes lead to a new deployment of a system or component. This philosophy is intended to increase the reliability, consistency, and repeatability of infrastructure, helping to mitigate risks associated with changes and providing a high level of auditability.