The IT Glossary

Software that scans your computer for viruses, trojans, spyware, and other malware, blocking threats before they cause harm. Compares files against known threat databases and monitors for suspicious behavior.

An access point is a device that adds Wi-Fi coverage to an existing wired network. It connects to your network via Ethernet cable and broadcasts a wireless signal, extending your network's reach without replacing your router.

Microsoft's cloud identity service — it manages who can log in, what they can access, and enforces security policies across all your apps.

A backup that is physically disconnected from the network — no cable, no Wi-Fi, no connection. The ultimate protection against ransomware.

Tracking every device, license, and piece of hardware your business owns — what it is, where it is, who has it, and when it needs replacing.

A copy of your files stored somewhere else, so a dead computer doesn't mean dead data. The 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy stored off-site — so a single fire, flood, or ransomware attack can't destroy everything.

How much data your internet connection can move at once — like the width of a pipe for water.

The traditional IT model: something breaks, you call someone, you pay for the repair. No plan, no prevention.

Someone else's computers, rented. Your files and apps live on their servers and reach you over the internet.

Rules that check context before granting access — like requiring MFA for unknown locations, blocking downloads on unmanaged devices, or limiting access to business hours.

A process for making IT changes safely — testing, approving, and documenting every modification to prevent unexpected breakage.

A dead zone is a spot in your business or office where the Wi-Fi signal is too weak to use reliably — video calls drop, files won't upload, and devices show no connection even though the network works fine everywhere else.

The internet's phonebook. It turns names like google.com into the numeric addresses computers actually use.

The service that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices when they join your network — like a digital receptionist handing out room keys.

Three email authentication protocols that prove an email really came from who it claims — stopping spoofers and phishers from impersonating your domain.

Scrambling data so only someone with the right key can read it — even if it's stolen.

Advanced security tools that watch every device for suspicious behavior — not just known malware, but unusual activity that signals an attack in progress.

A separate, tamper-proof copy of every email sent and received — kept for compliance, legal discovery, and business continuity.

Windows' built-in log of everything that happens on your computer — errors, warnings, logins, crashes, and security events.

A guard that sits between your network and the internet, deciding which traffic is allowed through.

A Windows feature that lets admins enforce settings across all company computers from one place — password rules, security settings, software installs, and more.

A single place your team contacts when something isn't working — phone, email, or portal.

A device's unique number on a network, like 192.168.1.24. Computers use numbers; you use names.

The three protocols that make email work: SMTP sends email, IMAP syncs it across devices, and POP downloads it to one device only.

Microsoft's tool for managing and securing every device that accesses your company data — phones, laptops, tablets, all from one dashboard.

Backups that cannot be altered or deleted — even by ransomware or a compromised admin account. Write once, read many, change never.

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The delay between an action and the response — the 'lag'. Measured in milliseconds.

Any software written to harm you or your business — viruses, spyware, trojans, ransomware, and adware all fall under this word. It can steal passwords, encrypt files, hijack browsers, or use your computer to attack others.

Logging in with your password plus a second proof of identity — a code from your phone, an authenticator app, a hardware key, or an app approval. Even if someone steals your password, they still can't get in without that second factor.

Microsoft's subscription bundle of cloud productivity apps: Outlook email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and more — available online in a browser and installed on your desktop. You pay per user per month or year and always have the latest version.

The modem brings the internet connection into your building from your service provider — it translates the signal from your cable, fiber, or DSL line. The router shares that connection around your business, creating a local network and giving each device its own internal address.

An outsourced IT team that keeps your technology running for a flat monthly fee — proactively, not just when things break.

A system of multiple Wi-Fi units that work together to blanket your business or office in coverage — no dead zones, one network name.

The average time it takes to fix something once we start working on it — a key metric for measuring IT efficiency.

The average time a device or component works before it fails — used to predict when hardware will die and plan replacements.

A device that connects multiple wired devices together — like a power strip for network cables.

A dedicated device on your network that stores files and shares them with everyone — your own private cloud, no monthly fees.

OneDrive is your personal file storage in Microsoft 365 — files you sync from your own computer and control access to. SharePoint is for company-wide files and team sites that multiple people collaborate on, with shared permissions and version history.

Installing the small updates released by software makers to fix bugs, close security holes, and improve stability. Patches apply to operating systems, applications, browser plugins, and firmware — everything that runs on your devices.

A fake email, text message, or website that impersonates someone you trust — a bank, a coworker, a service provider — to trick you into handing over passwords, clicking harmful links, or sending money. The message looks legitimate but leads to a copycat site designed to steal your credentials.

A mounted block of network ports that organizes all the cables running through your walls — the central hub of a wired network.

A simulated cyberattack against your systems, performed by ethical hackers who try to break in before real criminals do.

Microsoft's command-line tool for automating tasks — creating users, configuring settings, managing files, and controlling Windows from text commands.

Router rules that prioritize certain traffic — like giving video calls a fast lane while file downloads wait their turn.

Malware that encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. It spreads through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised remote access. Paying doesn't guarantee you'll get your files back — and marks you as a target for repeat attacks.

The device that directs traffic between your devices and the internet — your network's traffic controller.

A way to combine multiple hard drives so that if one fails, your data survives — like having a spare tire built into your car.

RPO is how much data you can afford to lose (measured in time). RTO is how fast you need to be back up and running. Together they define your backup strategy.

A Windows feature that lets you control another computer over the network or internet — as if you were sitting in front of it.

The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of your Wi-Fi network — the list you pick from when joining a wireless network. Each network broadcasts its SSID so devices can find and connect to it.

An SSD (solid-state drive) stores data on flash memory chips with no moving parts, making it much faster and more durable than an HDD. An HDD (hard disk drive) stores data on spinning magnetic platters read by a mechanical arm — slower, cheaper per gigabyte, and more prone to physical failure.

A system that collects logs from all your devices and security tools, then correlates them to spot attacks that would otherwise hide in the noise.

A team (or service) that monitors your systems 24/7 for threats, investigates alerts, and responds to incidents before they become breaches.

An email inbox that multiple people can access — like support@ or info@ — without needing a separate license for each user.

A high-speed network dedicated to storage — multiple servers access shared storage as if it were a local drive, at lightning speed.

A contract that defines how fast we respond and resolve issues — like 'critical issues get a response within 1 hour, resolution within 4 hours.'

The internal targets we set to meet our SLA — like '95% of tickets resolved within 4 hours' — so we can measure and improve our performance.

An encrypted tunnel that lets you connect to a network as if you were physically plugged into it — safely from anywhere, even on public Wi-Fi. Your traffic is encrypted between your device and the VPN server, so nobody on the same network can snoop on it.

A way to split one physical network into separate logical networks — like having multiple invisible walls inside a single office.

An automated scan that checks your systems for known security weaknesses — outdated software, misconfigurations, and missing patches.

A service that sets up new Windows computers automatically — unbox, sign in, and the device configures itself with your apps, policies, and security settings.

A database of settings that controls how Windows works — from startup programs to file associations to security policies.

A security model that assumes no user or device is trustworthy by default — every access request is verified, every time.