Access Control — Enforcing Who Can Access What in a System
Access Control is the security discipline that defines and enforces who can access systems, data, and resources. This SECMONS glossary entry explains access control models, common failures, and how broken enforcement leads to major security incidents.
API Security — Protecting Application Programming Interfaces from Abuse and Exploitation
API Security focuses on protecting Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) from unauthorized access, data exposure, and exploitation. This SECMONS glossary entry explains common API vulnerabilities, attack patterns, and defensive controls required to secure modern API-driven architectures.
Authentication vs Authorization — Verifying Identity vs Granting Access
Authentication and Authorization are distinct security concepts: authentication verifies identity, while authorization determines access rights. This SECMONS glossary entry explains the difference, common implementation flaws, and how misconfigurations lead to security incidents.
Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) — Accessing Unauthorized Resources via Predictable Identifiers
Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) is an access control vulnerability where an application exposes internal object references without proper authorization checks. This SECMONS glossary entry explains how IDOR works, real-world impact, and how defenders should prevent and detect it.
How to Secure Management Plane in Infrastructure
Practical guide to securing management plane systems, reducing exposure, and preventing unauthorized administrative access.
Authentication Bypass Vulnerability Explained
Detailed explanation of authentication bypass vulnerabilities, how they work, and why they pose critical risks to exposed systems and management interfaces.
Insider Threats: Behavioral Patterns and Risks
Analytical research on insider threats, focusing on behavioral indicators, access abuse, and how trusted identities are leveraged in real-world security incidents.
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a cybersecurity discipline focused on securing, monitoring, and controlling accounts with elevated permissions such as administrators, root users, and service accounts.
Privilege Escalation Attack Technique — Gaining Elevated Access in Compromised Systems
Technical explanation of privilege escalation, an attack technique used by threat actors to obtain higher levels of access within compromised systems and enterprise networks.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the cybersecurity discipline focused on managing digital identities, controlling access to systems and data, and ensuring that only authorized users and services can interact with critical resources.