Cybersecurity software refers to a category of specialized programs and applications designed to safeguard computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and other security threats. These software solutions are developed to detect, prevent, respond to, and recover from a wide range of cyber threats, including malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and more.

Key elements of cybersecurity software include:
1. Prevention: Cybersecurity software aims to prevent security incidents by implementing protective measures such as firewalls, antivirus, and intrusion detection systems.
2. Detection: These programs actively monitor and analyse system activities, network traffic, and user behaviour to identify and alert on potential security threats.
3. Response: In the event of a security incident, cybersecurity software facilitates a coordinated response, helping organizations contain and mitigate the impact of the threat.
4. Recovery: Cybersecurity software contributes to the recovery process by assisting in restoring affected systems, data, and services to a secure and operational state.

Please note that as this industry is always evolving, this list is non-exhaustive.

1. Antivirus and Anti-Malware:
   Detects, prevents, and removes malicious software, including viruses, worms, and trojans.
2. Software Firewall:
   Controls and monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
3. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS):
   Monitors network or system activities for malicious or suspicious behaviour and takes action to prevent or stop detected threats.
4. Virtual Private Network (VPN):
   Secures network connections over the internet, ensuring confidentiality and privacy.
5. Encryption Software:
   Protects sensitive data by converting it into a secure code, making it unreadable without the appropriate decryption key.
6. Endpoint Protection:
   Secures individual devices (endpoints) from cyber threats, including antivirus, anti-malware, and device control.
7. Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
   Monitors, detects, and prevents unauthorized access, sharing, or leakage of sensitive data.
8. Identity and Access Management (IAM):
   Manages and controls user identities, access permissions, and authentication processes.
9. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
   Requires users to provide multiple forms of identification to access systems or data.
10. Network Traffic Analysers:
    Solutions, both hardware appliances and software applications, that analyse network traffic patterns, protocols, and behaviours to identify anomalies and potential security threats.
11. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM):
    Collects, analyses, and correlates log data from various sources to identify and respond to security incidents.
12. Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR):
    Streamlines and automates security processes to improve response times and reduce manual efforts.
13. Security Awareness Training:
    Provides training modules to educate users on cybersecurity best practices and raise awareness about potential threats.
14. Web Application Firewall (WAF):
    Protects web applications from various attacks, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
15. Incident Response Platforms:
    Facilitates the organization’s response to cybersecurity incidents, including communication, coordination, and remediation.
16. Backup and Disaster Recovery (DR):
    Ensures data backup and recovery processes are in place to minimize downtime and data loss in the event of a cyber incident.
17. Mobile Device Management (MDM):
    Manages and secures mobile devices, enforcing policies and ensuring compliance.
18. Vulnerability Management:
    Identifies, assesses, and prioritizes vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
19. Patch Management:
    Ensures that software, operating systems, and applications are up-to-date with the latest security patches.
20. Forensic Tools:
    Assists in the investigation and analysis of security incidents, helping to identify the root cause and extent of a breach.
21. Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC):
    Assists in managing and mitigating cybersecurity risks while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
22. Container Security:
    Secures containers and containerized applications, addressing the unique security challenges in containerized environments.
23. Cloud Security:
    Addresses security challenges associated with cloud computing, including data protection, identity management, and compliance.
24. Threat Intelligence Platforms:

Aggregates, analyses, and shares threat intelligence to enhance proactive threat detection and response.

25. Security Assessment and Penetration Testing:
    Conducts simulated cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems and networks.
26. Security Analytics:
    Analyses large sets of data to uncover patterns and trends indicative of potential security threats.
27. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Security:
    Utilizes AI and ML algorithms to enhance threat detection, incident response, and security automation.
28. Network Behaviour Analysis (NBA) Tools:
    Software solutions that analyse network behaviours, identifying deviations from normal patterns and aiding in the detection of unusual or suspicious activities.
29. Facial Recognition and Biometric Security:
    Provides identity verification through facial recognition, fingerprint scans, or other biometric measures.
30. Application Security Testing (AST):
    Identifies and addresses security vulnerabilities in software applications through testing and analysis.
31. Threat Intelligence Platforms:

Software platforms that integrate threat intelligence feeds and data to enhance the identification of known and emerging threats within network traffic.

32. Security Awareness and Phishing Simulation Tools:
    Conducts simulated phishing exercises and provides training to educate users on recognizing and avoiding phishing attacks.

Cybersecurity cloud services and online platforms will also fall under the category of Software and will be eligible for the Tax Allowance under this process.

Network Security Monitoring (NSM) Equipment

Network Security Monitoring (NSM) equipment refers to specialized hardware and software solutions designed to actively and passively monitor and analyse network traffic for the purpose of detecting and responding to security incidents. The primary goal of NSM is to provide real-time visibility into the activities occurring within a network, identifying potential security threats, anomalies, or malicious behaviour.

Key aspects of NSM equipment include:

1. Traffic Analysis: NSM equipment performs continuous analysis of network traffic, examining packets, sessions, and protocols to identify patterns indicative of security incidents or suspicious activities.

2. Packet Capture and Inspection: NSM tools capture and inspect network packets to analyse the contents of communication, allowing for the identification of malicious payloads, vulnerabilities, or abnormal behaviour.

3. Anomaly Detection: NSM equipment employs algorithms and heuristics to detect deviations from established baselines, signalling potential security threats or abnormal network behaviour.

4. Intrusion Detection and Prevention: NSM devices may include intrusion detection and prevention capabilities to identify and block known or suspected malicious activities.

5. Logging and Logging Analysis: NSM solutions generate detailed logs and event data, which can be further analysed for forensic purposes, compliance reporting, and ongoing security monitoring.

6. Incident Response Support: NSM equipment assists in incident response efforts by providing timely alerts, contextual information, and data required for investigating and mitigating security incidents.

7. Network Forensics: NSM tools often include features for capturing and storing historical network data, facilitating forensic analysis and retrospective investigation of security incidents.

8. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Integration: NSM equipment is often integrated with SIEM solutions to correlate and analyse network security events within the broader context of an organization’s security posture.

Please note that as this industry is always evolving, this list is non-exhaustive.

1. Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS):
   Physical appliances designed to passively monitor and analyse network traffic, detecting patterns indicative of security threats.
2. Network Intrusion Prevention Systems (NIPS):
   Devices that build on NIDS capabilities but also have the ability to actively prevent or block identified malicious traffic.
3. Packet Sniffers:
   Tools or devices that capture and analyse network packets, providing detailed insights into the content and structure of data flowing through a network.
4. Flow-based Network Security Monitoring:
   Solutions that focus on analysing network flows, providing insights into communication patterns, data transfer, and potential security incidents based on flow data.
5. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) Appliances:
   Devices that inspect the content of network packets at a deep level, allowing for detailed analysis of application-layer protocols and identification of malicious payloads.
6. Network Forensics Appliances:
   Hardware appliances designed to capture and store network traffic data for forensic analysis, facilitating the investigation of security incidents.
7. DNS Security Appliances:
   Tools or devices designed to monitor and secure DNS (Domain Name System) traffic, helping detect and prevent DNS-related security threats.
8. SSL/TLS Decryption Appliances:
   Devices that decrypt and inspect encrypted SSL/TLS traffic to identify and block potential threats hiding in encrypted communications.