The term "attack surface" refers to the sum total of vulnerabilities or potential entry points through which an unauthorized user can gain access to a system or network. In cybersecurity, minimizing the attack surface is a fundamental strategy to improve security posture. An attack surface can include a wide variety of elements such as open ports, unpatched software, redundant code, and unprotected endpoints, among others. It also encompasses various layers including the network, software, and human elements. For instance, a simple web application might have a smaller attack surface compared to a complex, multi-layered corporate network. Security professionals regularly conduct assessments to identify and reduce the attack surface by applying patches, closing unnecessary ports, and enforcing the principle of least privilege, which ensures that users have only the access they need to perform their tasks. The concept is essential for understanding and mitigating risks in any security-sensitive environment, from personal devices to large-scale enterprise systems.