secure

Secure is an adjective describing something that is protected against danger, loss, or unauthorized access. In information technology, to make a system secure is to reduce risk to acceptable levels by preventing unauthorized disclosure, modification, or destruction of data, and by ensuring availability and accountability. The concept is often framed around the CIA triad—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—and is implemented through layered controls, safe defaults, and ongoing risk management.

Key techniques include authentication to verify identity, authorization to enforce access rights, encryption to protect data at rest and in transit, and secure communication protocols such as TLS. Secure software development emphasizes threat modeling, code reviews, testing, and the secure development lifecycle. Physical security also contributes to overall security, addressing tampering and environmental threats.

Security standards and practices are codified in domains such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST SP 800-series, and OWASP guidelines. Achieving security is a continuous process, not a one-time product; it involves incident response, monitoring, patch management, and user education. The term secure is often used in marketing, but true security relies on proven controls, risk-based decisions, and ongoing governance.