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A computer network attack (CNA) is an attack via cyberspace that targets an enterprise’s use of cyberspace to disrupt, disable, destroy, or maliciously control its computing environment or infrastructure, destroy data integrity, or steal controlled information. That is the current definition in the NIST CSRC glossary, which attributes its terminology to CNSSI 4009-2022 through NIST publications.
What does computer network attack mean?
NIST’s definition describes both the target and the purpose of a CNA. The target is an enterprise’s use of cyberspace; the purpose may be disruption, disabling, destruction, malicious control, damage to data integrity, or theft of controlled information. The glossary’s exact wording is: “An attack, via cyberspace, targeting an enterprise’s use of cyberspace for the purpose of disrupting, disabling, destroying, or maliciously controlling a computing environment/infrastructure; or destroying the integrity of the data or stealing controlled information.”
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The definition is about an attack’s intended effects and target, not a particular tool or technique. It does not say that every cyber incident, unauthorized access, or use of a computer network is necessarily a CNA.
How is CNA different from a general attack or cyberattack?
NIST’s general glossary entry for attack describes malicious activity that attempts to collect, disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy system resources or information. That wording is broader than the specific CNA entry.
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The NIST Cyber Attack glossary page presents definitions from multiple authorities and documents, including a formulation focused on unauthorized access or effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Because the page contains distinct source-specific definitions, “cyberattack” and “CNA” should not be treated as interchangeable terms without specifying which definition is meant.
How does the current definition differ from older CNA wording?
NIST’s Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, IR 7298 Rev. 2, gives an earlier CNSSI 4009-derived formulation: “Actions taken through the use of computer networks to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy information resident in computers and computer networks, or the computers and networks themselves.”
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| Aspect | Current NIST CSRC CNA entry | Earlier NIST IR 7298 Rev. 2 wording |
|---|---|---|
| Means and target | An attack via cyberspace targeting an enterprise’s use of cyberspace. | Actions through computer networks affecting information, computers, or networks. |
| Effects named | Disruption, disabling, destruction, malicious control, destruction of data integrity, or theft of controlled information. | Disruption, denial, degradation, or destruction. |
The older entry is useful context, but it is not the current glossary wording. NIST’s current CNA entry identifies CNSSI 4009-2022 as its terminology lineage.
What related terms should not be confused with CNA?
- Cyberspace attack: NIST’s cyberspace attack entry discusses denial effects and manipulation that may appear in physical domains. It is a related term, not automatically a synonym for CNA.
- Computer network defense: CISA NICCS describes computer network defense as actions taken to defend against unauthorized network activity. It names a defensive activity, not an attack.
- Exploitation: Exploitation is not the definition of CNA in the cited glossary entry. The definition does not specify a required technique, so a technique label alone does not establish whether an event meets the CNA wording.
What does CNA mean in cybersecurity?
In this terminology, CNA means “computer network attack.” When precision matters, use the current NIST CSRC definition and preserve its stated scope rather than applying the abbreviation to every malicious network event. The cited glossaries define terminology; they do not establish how common CNA events are, who typically conducts them, or which techniques are most often used.
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