A heat pump is a system that transfers heat from one place to another instead of creating cold. Using a compressor, refrigerant, and heat exchangers, it can move indoor heat outside for cooling or pull heat indoors for heating. Air conditioners are a common type of heat-pump system.
In cyber security, heat pumps matter because they are often controlled by sensors, thermostats, and building-management networks. If an attacker spoofs sensor readings, changes setpoints, or disrupts control traffic, the system may overcool, undercool, or shut down inefficiently. In data centers and facilities, that can affect availability and equipment safety. Defenders protect these systems by segmenting OT networks, validating telemetry, logging control changes, and alerting on unusual temperature or compressor behavior.