GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Understanding the Language of Technology.
In the ever-evolving world of IT, it can sometimes feel like you’re swimming in a sea of acronyms, buzzwords, and technical jargon. While we always strive to communicate clearly and avoid unnecessary tech-speak, some terminology is simply part of the landscape. We’ve assembled a helpful glossary of commonly used terms to provide clarity and help you feel more confident in conversations with any IT provider.
A-D
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication):
AI (Artificial Intelligence): The development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Algorithm: A set of step-by-step instructions or rules followed to solve a problem or perform a specific task.
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and tools that allows different software applications to communicate with each other.
Backup: The process of creating copies of data to ensure its availability in case of data loss or system failure.
BI (Business Intelligence): Technologies, processes, and tools that help organizations collect, analyze, and present business data to support decision-making.
Cache: A temporary storage location that stores frequently accessed data to reduce latency and improve performance.
Cloud Computing: The delivery of computing services, including storage, processing power, and software, over the internet.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management): A technology and strategy for managing an organization’s interactions with current and potential customers. CRM systems help businesses organize, automate, and synchronize customer-related activities, such as sales, marketing, customer service, and support. The goal is to improve customer relationships, streamline processes, and enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. CRM software often includes features for contact management, lead tracking, sales forecasting, and reporting.
Cybersecurity: The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage.
Database: A structured collection of data organized for easy retrieval, storage, and management.
DNS (Domain Name System): A hierarchical system that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, allowing computers to locate each other on a network.
E-J
Ethernet: A widely used standard for wired local area networks (LANs) that defines how data packets are placed on the network.
Firewall: A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): A standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and a server on a computer network.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): A visual interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical elements such as icons, buttons, and menus.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard markup language used to create and design web pages.
HTML5: The latest version of HTML, incorporating new features and improvements for web development.
IoT (Internet of Things): The network of interconnected devices and objects that can communicate and exchange data with each other over the internet.
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): The most recent version of the Internet Protocol, designed to replace IPv4 and accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet.
ISP (Internet Service Provider): A company or organization that provides internet access to individuals, businesses, and other entities. ISPs connect customers to the internet through various technologies such as DSL, cable, fiber-optic, satellite, or wireless connections. They also offer services like email accounts, web hosting, and virtual private networks (VPNs). ISPs play a crucial role in facilitating connectivity and enabling users to access and communicate over the internet.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate.
K-O
Kernel: The core component of an operating system that manages system resources and serves as an interface between software and hardware.
LAN (Local Area Network): A network that connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or campus.
Load Balancing: The distribution of incoming network traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server is overwhelmed, improving reliability and performance.
Malware: Software designed to harm or exploit computer systems, including viruses, worms, and ransomware.
MSP (Managed Service Provider): A company that provides outsourced IT services and support to businesses, organizations, or individuals. MSPs typically offer a range of services, including network monitoring, security management, data backup, cloud computing, and help desk support. The goal of an MSP is to proactively manage and maintain the client’s IT infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability. This allows clients to focus on their core business activities while relying on the expertise of the MSP for their IT needs.
Metadata: Descriptive information about data, including details such as file size, creation date, and authorship.
NAT (Network Address Translation): A technique that allows multiple devices within a local network to share a single public IP address for internet access.
Network: A collection of computers, servers, mainframes, and other devices connected to one another for the purpose of sharing resources and information.
Open Source: Software with a source code that is made available to the public, allowing anyone to view, modify, and distribute the code.
OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection Model): A conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven abstraction layers.
P-T
Packet: A unit of data transmitted over a network, often containing both the actual data and control information.
Phishing: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by posing as a trustworthy entity.
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor): A server-side scripting language designed for web development, widely used to create dynamic web pages. PHP code is embedded within HTML, and it can interact with databases to create dynamic content and perform various server-side tasks. PHP is open-source and has a large community of developers contributing to its growth and improvement.
QA (Quality Assurance): The process of ensuring that software and systems meet specified requirements and standards before release.
QoS (Quality of Service): A set of techniques to manage network resources and prioritize certain types of traffic to ensure a consistent level of performance.
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): A data storage technology that combines multiple disk drives to improve performance, reliability, or both.
Router: A device that forwards data packets between computer networks, often connecting a local network to the internet.
SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security): Protocols that provide secure communication over a computer network, commonly used for securing online transactions.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): A protocol for sending email messages between servers.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The suite of communication protocols used to connect devices on the internet.
Tokenization: The process of converting sensitive data into unique tokens to protect it from unauthorized access.
U-Z
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A connectionless communication protocol that is faster but less reliable than TCP, commonly used for real-time applications.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): A web address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet. Aka a website “www.google.com, www.facebook.com etc.
Virtualization: The process of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a virtual machine, to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network): A network of computers that behave as if they are connected to the same wire even though they may physically be located on different segments of a LAN.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A secure network connection that allows users to access a private network over the internet.
Webinar: A seminar conducted over the internet, allowing participants to interact with the presenter and each other in real-time.
WPA/WPA2/WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access): Security protocols used to secure wireless computer networks.
XML (eXtensible Markup Language): A markup language designed to store and transport data, often used for representing structured information in a text format.
XML Schema: A description of the structure and content of an XML document, providing a set of rules that an XML document must adhere to.
YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language): A human-readable data serialization format commonly used for configuration files and data exchange between languages with different data structures.
Zero-Day Exploit: A cyberattack that takes advantage of a security vulnerability on the same day it becomes known to the public, before a fix or patch is available.