In cybersecurity, 'sonic boom' is not a standard technical term but may be used metaphorically to describe a sudden, disruptive event, such as a rapid cyberattack or a burst of malicious network traffic that overwhelms systems, similar to how a real sonic boom is a sudden, loud noise caused by an object exceeding the speed of sound. In general, a sonic boom refers to the shockwave and loud sound created when an object, like a jet, travels through the air faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1). In technical contexts, understanding the literal meaning helps clarify any metaphorical usage in cybersecurity discussions.