TAISE key terms
TAISE · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- AI system boundary
The relevant model, data, retrieval, tools, identities and consumers considered in an actual use case, broader than a model’s weights alone.
- Evaluation leakage
Information overlap or other contamination reducing the independence of an evaluation, potentially overstating performance in the intended deployment context.
- Indirect prompt injection
Adversarial instructions embedded in retrieved or otherwise external content that attempt to redirect an AI application beyond the authorized task.
- Excessive agency
An AI application’s overly broad functionality, permissions or autonomy that can enable damaging consequential actions under unexpected or manipulated behavior.
- Meaningful human oversight
Review with relevant information, competence, authority and ability to intervene, rather than nominal approval without understanding or an enforced action boundary.
- Residual AI risk
The remaining relevant uncertainty and potential harm after chosen controls, requiring accountable evaluation in the actual use context rather than a framework label.
- Least Privilege
- Related: Role-Based Access Control, Separation of Duties
The principle that users and systems should be granted only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their tasks, reducing the potential damage from accidents or malicious activity.
- Separation of Duties
- Related: Least Privilege, Role-Based Access Control
A control that divides critical tasks among different individuals so that no single person can complete a sensitive action alone, helping to prevent fraud and errors.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Related: Least Privilege, Separation of Duties
An access control model where permissions are assigned to roles rather than individual users, and users are assigned to roles based on their job responsibilities.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Related: Authentication, Single Sign-On
An authentication method that requires two or more independent credentials from different categories (something you know, have, or are) to verify a user's identity.
- Authentication
- Related: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Authorization
The process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system, typically through credentials such as passwords, tokens, or biometrics.
- Authorization
- Related: Authentication, Least Privilege
The process of determining what actions or resources an authenticated entity is permitted to access, often enforced through access control policies.
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Related: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Authentication
A mechanism that allows a user to log in once and access multiple applications or systems without re-entering credentials, improving usability and centralizing access control.
- Encryption
- Related: Symmetric Encryption, Asymmetric Encryption, Hash Function
The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext using an algorithm and a key, so that only authorized parties can read the original information.
- Symmetric Encryption
- Related: Asymmetric Encryption, Encryption
An encryption method that uses the same secret key for both encryption and decryption, offering speed but requiring secure key distribution.
- Asymmetric Encryption
- Related: Symmetric Encryption, Encryption
Encryption using a suitable public-key scheme and a corresponding private key for decryption. Authenticated key distribution and the specified padding/protocol remain essential; signatures and key agreement are distinct constructions.
- Hash Function
- Related: Encryption, Digital Signature
A digest construction mapping input to an output under its defined algorithm, with cryptographic versions designed for appropriate resistance properties. Password storage needs a suitable salted password-hashing/KDF scheme rather than a bare fast digest.
- Digital Signature
- Related: Hash Function, Asymmetric Encryption
An electronic signature that uses asymmetric cryptography to verify the authenticity and integrity of a message or document.
- Access control
- Related: Authentication, Least privilege, Segregation of duties
The policies and mechanisms that determine who can access which systems, data, or facilities and under what conditions.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Related: Log Management, Incident Response
A system that collects, aggregates, and analyzes log data from various sources to detect security incidents and support compliance reporting.
- Incident Response
- Related: Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Business Continuity Plan
A structured approach to handling security incidents, typically including preparation, detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.
- Risk Assessment
- Related: Risk Management, Security Audit
The process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating risks to determine their potential impact and likelihood, often used to prioritize security controls.
- Risk Management
- Related: Risk Assessment, Business Continuity Plan
The coordinated activities to direct and control an organization regarding risk, including risk assessment, treatment, acceptance, and communication.
- Security Audit
- Related: Risk Assessment, Compliance
A systematic examination of an organization's security controls, policies, and procedures to verify compliance with standards and identify areas for improvement.
- Risk
- Related: Inherent risk, Residual risk, Risk assessment
The effect of uncertainty on objectives, usually described by the likelihood of an event and its potential impact.
- Inherent risk
- Related: Residual risk, Control, Risk assessment
The level of risk that exists before any controls or risk responses are applied to a process, asset, or activity.
- Residual risk
- Related: Inherent risk, Control testing, Risk acceptance
The risk remaining after controls and risk responses have been implemented and their effectiveness has been considered.
- Risk analysis
- Related: Risk assessment, Likelihood, Impact
The part of risk assessment that examines the nature, causes, likelihood, and impact of identified risks. It may use qualitative or quantitative methods.
- Risk evaluation
- Related: Risk assessment, Risk appetite, Risk tolerance
The part of risk assessment that compares analysis results with risk criteria to decide whether risk is acceptable.
- Risk register
- Related: Risk owner, Risk response, Risk reporting
A structured record of identified risks, including owners, ratings, controls, responses, and status, used to monitor and manage risk.