Cyber Glossary - G

Gateway – Interface providing compatibility between networks by converting transmission speeds, protocols, codes, or security measures. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)

General Support System – An interconnected set of information resources under the same direct management control that shares common functionality. It normally includes hardware, software, information, data, applications, communications, and people. (OMB Circular A-130, App. III) (NISTIR)

An interconnected set of information resources under the same direct management control which shares common functionality. A system normally includes hardware, software, information, data, applications, communications, and people. A system can be, for example, a local area network (LAN) including smart terminals that supports a branch office, an agency-wide backbone, a communications network, a departmental data processing center including its operating system and utilities, a tactical radio network, or a shared information processing service organization (IPSO). (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)

Geospatial Intelligence. The exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically reference activities on the Earth. Also called GEOINT. (This term and its definition are provided for information and are proposed for inclusion in the next edition of JP 1-02 by JP 2-03) (Jt Pub 3-13)

Global Information Grid (GIG) – The globally interconnected, end-to-end set of information capabilities for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand to warfighters, policy makers, and support personnel.

The GIG includes owned and leased communications and computing systems and services, software (including applications), data, security services, other associated services, and National Security Systems. Non-GIG IT includes stand-alone, self-contained, or embedded IT that is not, and will not be, connected to the enterprise network. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)

Global Information Infrastructure – (GII) Worldwide interconnections of the information systems of all countries, international and multinational organizations, and international commercial communications. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)

Graduated Security – A security system that provides several levels (e.g., low, moderate, high) of protection based on threats, risks, available technology, support services, time, human concerns, and economics. (FIPS 201) (NISTIR)

Gray Box Testing – See Focused Testing. Group Authenticator – Used, sometimes in addition to a sign-on authenticator, to allow access to specific data or functions that may be shared by all members of a particular group. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)

Guard (System) – A mechanism limiting the exchange of information between information systems or subsystems. (CNSSI-4009) (NISTIR)

Guessing Entropy – A measure of the difficulty that an Attacker has to guess the average password used in a system. In this document, entropy is stated in bits. When a password has n-bits of guessing entropy then an attacker has as much difficulty guessing the average password as in guessing an n-bit random quantity. The attacker is assumed to know the actual password frequency distribution. (SP 800-63) (NISTIR)