Computer Network Defense

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What Does Computer Network Defense Mean?

Computer network defense (CND) is a set of processes and protective measures that use computer networks to detect, monitor, protect, analyze and defend against network infiltrations resulting in service/network denial, degradation and disruptions. CND enables a government or military institute/organization to defend and retaliate against network attacks perpetrated by malicious or adversarial computer systems or networks.

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Techopedia Explains Computer Network Defense

Computer network defense is primarily a form of cybersecurity and an information assurance measure for securing military and government information systems from threatening cyber attacks and intrusions. The key objective of CND is to ensure that no unauthorized, illegitimate or malicious traffic, user or application is given access to a confidential IT environment/network.

It is part of the computer network operations (CNO) series of network operations aimed at protecting, exploiting and attacking enemy computer systems and networks. Moreover, CND is also a component of the DoD’s operational security framework NetOps.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.