Primary definition
An actual assault perpetrated by an intentional threat source that attempts to learn or make use of information from a system, but does not attempt to alter the system, its resources, its data, or its operations.
Also known asnon-invasive attack · eavesdropping attack · monitoring attack
3 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 9, 2026
— NICCS GlossaryView source
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NICCS
An actual assault perpetrated by an intentional threat source that attempts to learn or make use of information from a system, but does not attempt to alter the system, its resources, its data, or its operations.
NICCS Glossary · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Passive Attack. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/passive-attack
Sources
3 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026
01
NICCS Glossary
NICCS Glossary
High consensus
02
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Disputed
03
The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary
Multi-source
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