A PDF parser is a software tool or component designed to read, interpret, and extract information from PDF (Portable Document Format) files. In cybersecurity, PDF parsers are important because PDF files can contain not only text and images, but also embedded scripts or hidden data that may pose security risks. Tools like Apache Tika use PDF parsers to analyze the content of PDF files, helping organizations detect potential threats or retrieve valuable information from documents. By examining the structure and contents of PDFs, a parser can identify suspicious elements or ensure that data is processed safely.