May 19, 2023
Best Practices / Technology

Your 2023 IT Glossary

Written by Mallory Randall

Navigating the technology landscape is difficult if you don’t know the language. It can be difficult to understand, and at times – incredibly intimating – especially if you’re attempting to diagnose and resolve IT issues your business may be facing. And with the average time to resolution for issues based on our latest research study being 2.12 hours, it can be hard to know where to start or the options available.

That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive glossary of IT terms and definitions to help build your knowledge and jumpstart your ability to effectively build your IT program.

General

BYOD: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is an organizational technology model that allows employees to bring and use personal devices for work-related activities.

Domain: the address of your website that people visit (like interlaced.io). It is also the identifier for internal network administration including applications, emails, and more.

Hardware: the physical components and equipment of a computer, including CPU, keyboard, monitor, graphics card, and more.

Infrastructure: components of IT enterprises. These can include hardware, software, operating systems, and more.

IP Address: an Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique string of numbers assigned to each device connected to a network, including the Internet.

Data

Bandwidth: a measurement of the volume of data that can be transmitted over a network at any given time.

Data Center: a facility that centralizes and maintains equipment for businesses to store data and applications.

Database: an organized collection of structured data typically stored and retrieved by users electronically.

Server: a computer that is responsible for responding to requests made by a client program, as well as data delivery.

Security

Antivirus Software: a type of software program designed to protect computers against malware by detecting and removing viruses. Antivirus programs protect by looking through web pages, software, files, and applications.

Disaster Recovery (DR): an organizational method delineating how a business will regain use and access to its IT system after various unfortunate events. These may include natural disasters, cyber-attacks like ransomware, or other system disruptions.

Encryption: the process of encoding information. Encrypting data will convert it into a seemingly random and unreadable format that can only be translated or read with a decryption key.

Firewall: a security device that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to block and filter traffic to prevent unauthorized agents from gaining access to a network.

Malware: short for malicious software, it’s a category of intrusive applications that interfere with a network’s standard actions to damage or destroy computers or networks. Examples include viruses, spyware, adware, worms, ransomware.

Phishing: a scam, often using spoofing, to trick users into giving out personal info. This is often accomplished with emails that look like they’ve been sent from legitimate businesses. These emails ask potential victims to perform seemingly harmless acts like going to a website, hit reply, etc. When users click the link, they’re sent to a fake website asking for sensitive info.

Ransomware: a type of malware used as a cyber attack. Once it enters a device, it locks or encrypts the data and blocks it until a ransom is paid.

SOC: security operations centers where an onsite or outsourced IT security team provides 24/7 monitoring of an organization’s IT infrastructure to catch cyber threats in real-time so they can be addressed before harm is done. They may also select/operate/maintain cybersecurity tech for the business. Also known as an information security operations center (ISOC).

If your organization relies on outsourced technology, customers want to confirm your internal system is transparent and secure. Standard practice is to give your clients a SOC I or SOC II report as a part of this due diligence package.

SIEM: security information and event management (SIEM) is an IT field involving real-time monitoring and analysis of cyber events. It also provides tracking and logging of security data for compliance or auditing purposes. The name is a combination of the terms “security information management” (SIM) and “security event management” (SEM).

Virtual Private Network (VPN): a service that allows you to create a private network while using a public internet connection, providing greater security and privacy.

Cloud

Application Programming Interface (API): For an application or software, it is a programming feature that allows for two separate software to communicate and exchange data with each other.

Cloud Backup: a service that allows organizations to store data using the internet on an offsite server, often maintained by a cloud provider.

Cloud Migration: the process of moving databases, applications, and other systems from on-premises hardware to the cloud, or from one cloud to another.

Cloud Service Provider: third-party companies that offer businesses cloud services and platforms, such as IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, cloud backup, and more.

Cloud Storage: files stored on the internet with a cloud storage provider or a dedicated private cloud.

Colocation: housing privately-owned equipment, such as servers, in a third-party facility.

Hybrid Cloud: a cloud environment that is comprised of different models, such as a private cloud, public cloud, and/or on-premises infrastructure.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): a type of cloud computing where a cloud provider manages the infrastructure and a business manages the operating system, middleware, software, and applications.

Multi-Cloud: the use of more than one cloud provider to provide various services.

Platform and a Service (PaaS): a type of cloud computing where an organization is provided with a platform over the Internet, often for developing and running apps.

Private Cloud: cloud computing resources dedicated exclusively to one business or organization. This could be through privately-owned equipment, or through a third-party cloud provider.

Public Cloud: cloud computing resources accessed over the internet that are shared between users.

Server: a computer that is responsible for responding to requests made by a client program.

Software as a Service (SaaS): a cloud-based service that delivers software to users over the internet.

You’re not alone if you’re tired of pretending to understand when everyone is tossing around technical terms. IT-speak can seem confusing, but as a people-focused team of experts, we’re here to help. For even more terminology that you can share with your team, check out this eBook.

To learn more about how Interlaced can help your business with information technology services, contact us today, or email us at business@interlaced.io today!

Mallory Randall

Mallory Randall

Mallory is the Director of Marketing at Interlaced. Mallory is a highly accomplished and client-centric digital marketing specialist with a 14-year career in executing strategic marketing campaigns. She is passionate about helping brands grow and become the best versions of themselves by helping to tell their stories in ways that resonate with others.