Hello, you are using an old browser that's unsafe and no longer supported. Please consider updating your browser to a newer version, or downloading a modern browser.
Training Camp • Cybersecurity Glossary
A packet is the formatted unit of data at Layer 3 (network layer) of the OSI model, consisting of a header with addressing/routing data and a payload.
Packet Definition: A packet is the formatted unit of data at Layer 3 (network layer) of the OSI model, consisting of a header with addressing/routing data and a payload.
Representation of data at Layer 3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. A packet is a formatted unit of data carried by network protocols at the network layer (Layer 3). It consists of control information (headers containing addressing and routing data) and payload (the actual user data). Packets are the fundamental units for routing data across networks. Packet specifications are defined in protocol standards like IP (RFC 791) and various networking RFCs. Organizations secure packets through traffic filtering, deep packet inspection, encryption of packet payloads, and monitoring for malicious packet patterns. For example, a network security team might implement deep packet inspection at network boundaries to analyze packet contents for signs of attacks or data exfiltration, while using VPN technologies to encrypt packet payloads when traversing untrusted networks. Related terms: Network layer, IP, Header, Payload, Packet switching, Packet filtering, Fragmentation, MTU.
Turn knowledge into credentials with our instructor-led cybersecurity boot camps.
View All Courses →