Primary definition
An unauthorized entity outside the security domain that has the potential to harm an information system through destruction, disclosure, modification of data, and/or denial of service. Source: NIST SP 800-32 (adapted)
Also known asexternal threat · external attacker · external adversary · external malicious actor · outsider attack
— Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015View source
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CNSSGC
An unauthorized entity outside the security domain that has the potential to harm an information system through destruction, disclosure, modification of data, and/or denial of service. Source: NIST SP 800-32 (adapted)
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015 · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Outside(r) Threat. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 2, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/outside-r-threat
Sources
3 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
NICCS Glossary
NICCS Glossary
Disputed
03
The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary
Multi-source
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