Introduction
There are some technical terms and jargons in Managed IT Services that can be confusing or overwhelming. As a business owner who is contemplating your options for IT support, or a manager who may work together with service providers, an understanding of these terms is vital for coming to informed decisions regarding your technology needs.
This comprehensive glossary aims to demystify commonly used terms in Managed IT Services. Learning these terms will engage you in fruitful conversations with vendors, evaluate service offerings, and help you consolidate your business technology solutions.
A-C
Active Directory
A directory service by Microsoft for storing information about objects on a network and making this information available to users and administrators of the network. It also provides authentication and authorization within Windows environments.
Backup
The procedure of creating and storing copies of data that can be useful to protect organizations against loss of data. Some of the modern backup solutions are discussed here:
- Full backup: Making a full copy of all the selected data
- Incremental backup: Only backing up the data that has changed since the last backup
- Differential backup: Backing up all changes made since the last full backup
Business Continuity
The ability of an organization to maintain product or service delivery at an acceptable agreed level after an interruption. Planning for the maintenance of critical functions during and after a disaster is essential.
Cloud Computing
This provides computing services-including servers, storage databases, networking software analytics, and intelligence over the internet (“the cloud”) to deliver faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.
Compliance
Compliance refers to the observance of regulations, laws and standards that are applicable to a business considering the industry, geography, and operations. Common compliance frameworks include HIPAA for health care, PCI DSS for payment card processing, and GDPR for data protection in Europe.
D-F
Data Breach
Data breach refers to an occasion when information is stolen or otherwise accessed from a system without the acknowledgment or permission of the owner of that system. Data breaches can involve personally identifiable information (PII), trade secrets, or other forms of confidential data.
Disaster Recovery
A set of policies, tools, and procedures for recovering or continuing the operation of vital technology infrastructure and systems after a natural or human-induced disaster.
Endpoint Protection
Protection applied on end-user devices: laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, and tablets. This encompasses the use of antivirus software, data encryption, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
Firewall
A system that provides network security by regulating incoming and outgoing traffic based on established security policies. Firewalls create an interface between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks.
G-I
Helpdesk
A resource intended to provide information and assistance to customers or end users related to a company’s products and services. The service may be rendered via live support technicians or automated means.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
A type of cloud computing that provides basic computing networking and storage resources to consumers on demand and via the internet with a pay-as-you-go model.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The internet of things is the network of physical objects-“things”-embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purposes of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.
IT Governance
The processes ensure that IT is used in an effective and efficient manner in support of the organization’s objectives. IT governance provides a structure for aligning IT strategy with the business strategy.
J-M
Jitter
The difference in time between the arrival times of data packets due to congested networks, server load, or changes in routing. Jitter goes up, and the quality of audio and video in real-time communications gets worse.
Latency
The time it takes for data to travel from its source to destination across a network measured in milliseconds (ms). Low latency is crucial for applications where real-time interaction should be present.
Managed Services Provider (MSP)
A company that remotely manages a customer’s IT infrastructure and/or end-user systems, typically on a proactive basis under a subscription model.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
A security system that requires the use of more than one method of authentication from different categories of credentials to verify the identity of a user for access to a system or transaction.
N-P
Network Monitoring
The purpose of computer network monitoring system is that it constantly monitors the software systems used by a computer network for slow or failing components and informs the network administrator regarding its outage or problems through alerts such as SMS or email.
On-Premises
Software and technology that lives within the physical confines of an organization’s facilities versus in the cloud or at a remote facility.
Patch Management
Managing application updates is frequently related to fixing security loopholes and improving performance when administering application software.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
A type of cloud computing service that offers a platform to customers on which they can develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the software infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app.
Q-S
Quality of Service (QoS)
A set of technologies is applied to a network to ensure reliability in the provision of high-priority applications and constrained traffic under limited network capacity.
Ransomware
Malicious software is designed to prevent access to a computer system or data until a sum of money is paid. The files are encrypted by ransomware in a manner that makes them unusable until decrypted.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
An SLA is a formal agreement between the service provider and its customers which defines the service provider’s responsibilities, as well as stating clearly what the provider has agreed to furnish and sets the standards for performance specification which the service provider would be expected to adhere to.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software is delivered and licensed to client end-users by means of a subscription license model, which includes central hosting on the infrastructurecloud.
T-V
Threat Intelligence
Information that provides context with respect to the existing or emerging threats towards assets of the organization. It aids the organizations to take decisions regarding security intelligence applicable to them.
Unified Communications
The integration of real-time communication, such as instant messaging, presence information, telephony, video conferencing, data sharing, and speech recognition, with non-real-time communication, such as unified messaging.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
It establishes a secure, encrypted connection over less secure networks like the internet or public. VPNs are commonly used to create a safe connection for remote workers.
Virtualization
The creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including virtual computer hardware platforms, storage devices, and computer network resources.
W-Z
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide-area telecommunications networks span long distances for computer networking. WANs often interconnect multiple local area networks (LANs) and allow a business to maintain communication between staff at different branch offices and the head office.
XaaS (Anything as a Service)
A generic term for delivering varying technologies or services over the internet and as a service rather than on-premises hardware or software. In XaaS setup, clients typically access technology services over the internet on a pay-per-use basis.
Zero Trust
A concept of security that revolves around the belief that an organization should not trust anything inside or outside its perimeters without verification. Every request must be verified before access is granted to its systems.
Zero-Day Exploit
An attack that abuses a vulnerability found neither in the software nor the hardware is termed a zero-day exploit because the developers have had zero days to fix the flaw before it is exploited.
Understanding Technical Terms in Context
Understanding these terms is just the tip of the iceberg in trying to find one’s way in the very complex world of managed IT services. As technology continues to be developed, so will the terminology associated with it. Working with a professional Managed IT Services Provider will give you up-to-date knowledge of both the language and the technologies concerned with your business.
When questioning potential IT partners, never hesitate to press for clarification on any terms you’re struggling with. A good provider will use common terms and ensure you understand and are comfortable with the suggested solutions.
Always remember: good IT management does not just consider the latest technologies; it is about distinguishing the right solutions for your particular business needs. Understanding the terms will definitely help you make more informed decisions regarding your technology structure.
Ready to Speak the Language of IT?
Now that you’re familiar with the common terms used in Managed IT Services, you’ll be better prepared to discuss your technology needs with potential providers. This knowledge empowers you to ask the right questions, make informed decisions, and effectively communicate your requirements.
As you explore Managed IT Services options for your business, remember that the right provider will offer technical expertise and take the time to understand your business goals and explain solutions in terms you can understand.
