What is a false negative in terms of cybersecurity?

A false negative in cybersecurity refers to a situation where malicious activity is incorrectly classified as legitimate traffic. This means that a security system fails to identify the threat or attack, leading to a potential security breach because the malicious behavior goes unnoticed. A false negative can be particularly dangerous because it creates a false sense of security, allowing attackers to exploit vulnerabilities without triggering alerts or alarms that would normally notify security personnel of suspicious activity. Recognizing this definition is crucial for understanding how detection mechanisms work and the importance of accurate threat identification in maintaining a secure environment.