Small business owners in Alabama often wear many hats—CEO, marketer, customer service rep, and sometimes even IT specialist. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, being cyber-savvy isn’t just beneficial; the safety and efficiency of your business must have a basic vocab when it comes to IT terminology.
This guide is tailor-made to demystify the jargon, allowing you to navigate the tech landscape with confidence.
20 Bits of IT Terminology You Should Know
Understanding IT terminology equips you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about your business’s technological needs. Let’s break down these terms so that the next time IT topics come up, you’ll be speaking the language like a pro.
1. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. For small businesses, implementing robust cybersecurity measures can protect against data breaches that may harm your company’s reputation and finances.
2. Managed IT Services
Managed IT Services refer to an outsourced team that handles your company’s IT needs, from network management and security to technical support, freeing you up to focus on core business activities. This also helps you save on the costs of hiring and training an internal IT team!
3. Network Security
Network Security involves policies and practices adopted to prevent and monitor unauthorized access or misuse of your company’s network and data.
4. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet, which can help protect your business data from eavesdroppers when employees connect remotely.
5. Malware
Malware is malicious software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device, service or network. It requires diligent security practices to keep it at bay.
6. Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks down your data, while hackers demand a ransom to release it. Regular data backups and staff training on malicious links are critical prevention measures.
7. Phishing
Phishing attacks trick users into providing sensitive data like passwords, usually through deceptive emails or websites, appearing as legitimate requests.
8. Social Engineering
Social Engineering tactics manipulate people into giving hackers confidential information, using emotions like trust or urgency. These attacks could look like a phishing email or an impersonator asking for password access, pretending to be a friend or someone from your company.
9. Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing allows businesses to store and access data and applications over the internet instead of on physical hard drives, providing flexibility and scalability for business resources, plus accessibility for remote workers.
10. Data Backup and Recovery
Data Backup and Recovery is the process of creating and storing copies of data that can be restored in case of a data loss event, such as a hardware failure or cyberattack.
11. Firewall
A Firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
12. Two-Factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA), is an extra layer of protection used to ensure the security of online accounts beyond just a username and password, such as a code sent to your phone.
13. Patch Management
Patch Management is the process of managing updates for software applications and technologies, a critical part of protecting your business from known vulnerabilities.
14. Data Encryption
Data Encryption is a security method where information is encoded and can only be accessed or decrypted by a user with the correct encryption key.
15. BYOD Policy
In a BYOD Policy (Bring Your Own Device), employees use their personal devices for work-related activities. This can increase productivity, but it also raises security concerns that must be addressed to ensure all devices are protected.
16. Whitelisting
Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy where only specifically approved software applications or email addresses are allowed to function or be opened on a network or device.
17. Endpoint
An Endpoint is any remote computing device that communicates back and forth with a network to which it is connected. Examples include desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
18. Bad Actor
A Bad Actor is another word for a hacker or any individual with intentions to breach security protocols, typically linked to cyberattacks aiming to steal data or disrupt digital operations.
19. Disaster Recovery Plan
A Disaster Recovery Plan is a documented, structured approach with instructions for responding to unplanned incidents, helping businesses recover quickly and minimize losses.
20. IT Support
IT Support involves assistance with technology-related issues, helping users resolve problems, and ensuring that business systems and networks are functioning smoothly.
Partner with Fresh Managed IT
Equipped with this glossary of IT terminology, you’re well on your way to tech mastery. But there’s no need to do it alone. Fresh Managed IT offers managed IT services specifically tailored to expertly manage your IT needs, ensuring you’re always ahead of the curve and fortified against the unexpected.
Stay updated on technology trends and partner with Fresh Managed IT to ensure that your business is secure, efficient, and future-ready. Don’t let IT terminology intimidate you—with the right partner and knowledge, you’ll have the power to forge a successful path in the digital world.
