An event that is likely to cause or is causing the temporary loss of normal cyber operations or services.
What is cyber disruption?
The term Cyber Disruption refers to an action or incident that interrupts, degrades, denies, or destabilizes digital systems, networks, services, data, or operations. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is cyber disruption used in cybersecurity?
In practice, Cyber Disruption is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: an action or incident that interrupts, degrades, denies, or destabilizes digital systems, networks, services, data, or operations. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system. The governing standard or security policy determines the exact implementation.
Why does cyber disruption matter for election security?
Understanding Cyber Disruption matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to an action or incident that interrupts, degrades, denies, or destabilizes digital systems, networks, services, data, or operations. Applying the term precisely helps teams choose controls.
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An event that is likely to cause or is causing the temporary loss of normal cyber operations or services.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Cyber Disruption. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/cyber-disruption
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