An open standard is a publicly available specification for hardware, software, or protocols that is developed through a collaborative and consensus-driven process. Open standards are designed to ensure interoperability, compatibility, and long-term support across different systems and vendors. They are usually maintained by recognized organizations and are accessible to anyone, often without licensing fees. In cybersecurity, open standards help promote secure communication, data exchange, and system integration by providing transparent and widely accepted guidelines. Examples include HTTPS, TLS, and the OpenID protocol. By adhering to open standards, organizations can avoid vendor lock-in and foster innovation.