Primary definition
Unauthorized user who attempts to or gains access to an information system.
Also known ascracker · black hat · script kiddie · h4x0r · 1337 · phreaker · cybercriminal · intruder · security hacker · ethical hacker · white hat · gray hat · red hat · blue hat
— Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015View source
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CNSSGC
Unauthorized user who attempts to or gains access to an information system.
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015 · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Hacker. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/hacker
Sources
4 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
High consensus
02
March 2020 CSC Report
March 2020 CSC Report
Multi-source
03
NICCS Glossary
NICCS Glossary
High consensus
04
The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary
Multi-source
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