A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

(Please click on the letter that you wish to view. All files are in pdf format.)

This glossary has been created to assist security professionals in defining security terms commonly used by the profession and the industry, worldwide. This glossary is a developing list that will be maintained, and where appropriate, modified, and changed over time. Terms borrowed from related fields, such as engineering, investigations, safety, etc. will be included when deemed necessary for the security professional.

REFERENCE NOTE:

The definition's source is cited in brackets [ ] following the definition. For example, an ASIS Guideline is cited as [ASIS GDL PBS: 2006] and the PSP Study Guide as [ASIS PSPSG: 2007].

It is NOT our goal to publish this glossary in print since it is intended to be a current online reference (on the ASIS website) to serve the security professional on an ongoing basis.

All terms may not yet defined, and most do not yet have translations or non-English equivalents. Suggestions for new terms, new or revised definitions, translations, or deletions should be sent via the comments link. Proposed changes will be posted online for comment for 120-180 days. The comments link should also be used to discuss the proposed changes that will be listed here. All changes will go through an editorial review board of ASIS members to determine acceptance into the glossary.

This is a project that requires input from all security professionals, and we are asking for your participation. We encourage chapters in all country to translate security terms into their own language(s) and forward them to us via the comments link. This does not need to be done for the entire list, or even one letter; you may send individual terms, particularly those that are ambiguous, complex, or confusing. Non-U.S. English language terms will be included if they differ from the U.S. (e.g. Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand). The comments link may also be used for any questions.

International ASIS member/chapter involvement is critical to the success of the project and will make this resource even more valuable to all security professionals.

This is a joint project of the O.P. Norton Information Resources Center (ASIS Library) and the Certification Department at ASIS Headquarters.

Sample:
surveillance

the observation of a location, activity or person(s), usually done secretly

francais: surveillance
deutsch: Uberwachung
italiano: L'osservazione statica e/o dinamica di luoghi, attivita o persone, di solito fatta insegreto
espanol: vigilancia