CDS is a contract between two parties where:
Party 1 buys protection from
Party 2 against losses from the default of a borrower
If a credit event occurs, the credit protection buyer:
is compensated by the credit protection seller
CDS spread is the:
premium paid to the protection seller, by protection buyer
Long/short
Protection Buyer & Seller
Protection Buyer: short credit risk
Protection Seller: long credit risk