Incursion

Incursion refers to a sudden and brief invasion or attack, often by a small group of people. This term is commonly used in military contexts but can also apply to other fields such as computer security and ecology.

Military Incursion

In a military context, an incursion is a quick and often unexpected entry into a territory by armed forces. These operations are typically aimed at achieving a specific objective, such as gathering intelligence, disrupting enemy operations, or capturing key targets. Incursions are usually short-term and involve a limited number of troops.

Historical Examples

• Operation Entebbe: A famous military incursion carried out by the Israel Defense Forces in 1976 to rescue hostages from a hijacked airplane in Uganda.
• Bay of Pigs Invasion: A failed military incursion by Cuban exiles, supported by the United States, aimed at overthrowing the government of Fidel Castro in 1961.

Computer Security Incursion

In the field of computer security, an incursion refers to unauthorized access to a computer system or network. This can involve activities such as hacking, phishing, and the deployment of malware.

Types of Incursions

• Hacking: Unauthorized access to computer systems to steal data or cause damage.
• Phishing: Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity.
• Malware: Malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.

Ecological Incursion

In ecology, an incursion can refer to the spread of a species into a new habitat where it was previously absent. This can have significant impacts on the local ecosystem, often leading to the displacement of native species.

Examples

• Invasive species: Species that are introduced to a new environment and cause harm to the native ecosystem, such as the zebra mussel in North American waterways.
• Habitat fragmentation: The process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated areas, often leading to incursions by non-native species.

See Also

• Invasion
• Raid
• Skirmish
• Cybersecurity
• Invasive species