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denial of service

nouncandidate·updated May 9, 2026

The prevention of authorized access to resources or the delaying of time-critical operations. (Time-critical may be milliseconds or it may be hours, depending upon the service provided.)

Framework senses

SANS Glossary of Security Terms1 senseview framework →
§1
The prevention of authorized access to a system resource or the delaying of system operations and functions.
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Cybersecurity Lexicon1 senseview framework →
§1
An attack that prevents or impairs the authorized use of information system resources or services.
NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 21 senseview framework →
§1
The prevention of authorized access to resources or the delaying of time-critical operations. (Time-critical may be milliseconds or it may be hours, depending upon the service provided.)
CNSSI-4009 (Glossary of Information Assurance Terms)1 senseview framework →
§1
The prevention of authorized access to resources or the delaying of time-critical operations. (Time-critical may be milliseconds or it may be hours, depending upon the service provided.)
A Glossary of Common Cybersecurity Words and Phrases1 senseview framework →
§1
An attack that prevents or impairs the authorized use of information system resources or services.
An Introductin to Information Security1 senseview framework →
§1
The prevention of authorized access to resources or the delaying of time-critical operations. (Time-critical may be milliseconds or it maybe hours, depending upon the service provided).
Understanding Denial-of-Service Attacks1 senseview framework →
§1
when legitimate users are unable to access information systems, devices, or other network resources due to the actions of a malicious cyber threat actor. Services affected may include email, websites, online accounts (e.g., banking), or other services that rely on the affected computer or network. A denial-of-service condition is accomplished by flooding the targeted host or network with traffic until the target cannot respond or simply crashes, preventing access for legitimate users. DoS attacks can cost an organization both time and money while their resources and services are inaccessible.