An association is a statistical relationship between two factors: when one changes, the other tends to change as well. It does not, by itself, show that one factor caused the other. For example, a survey may find that organizations using a particular technology also report higher efficiency, but other factors-such as management practices or industry differences-could help explain the pattern.
In cybersecurity, associations can help analysts spot patterns in events, user behavior, or system activity, such as a link between unusual login times and account compromise. They are useful for prioritizing investigation, but should not be treated as proof. Defenders should check alternative explanations and gather further evidence before attributing an incident or making high-impact decisions.