We’ve compiled a full list of commonly encountered IT terminology that will help you better understand the industry and how it works. By familiarizing yourself with basic computer terms and definitions, you’ll allow yourself to understand manuals, descriptions, and everyday jargon necessary to fully grasp IT products and services.
You’ll find our tech glossary is conveniently laid out below in alphabetical order with an easy navigation interface so you can quickly reference words related to technology.
In addition to our tech terms, you can also find other resources to help you learn more about the role of technology in modern industry, including blogs, whitepapers, and case studies. Though our list of IT terms to know is expansive, if you have any further questions regarding things to know about technology, please contact us.
A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a specialized microcontroller designed to secure hardware by integrating cryptographic keys into devices. TPMs provide hardware-based security functions, such as generating, storing, and limiting the use of cryptographic keys. They are used for device authentication, disk encryption (like BitLocker), and ensuring platform integrity. By offering a tamper-resistant environment, TPMs enhance security against unauthorized access and protect sensitive information stored on devices.
Tunneling is a method used in networking to encapsulate one type of network protocol within another protocol’s packets. This allows data to be securely transmitted over an incompatible network or through a network with restricted access. Tunneling is commonly used in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to create secure connections over public networks. By encapsulating data packets, tunneling provides a means to bypass firewalls, enhance security, and enable the use of protocols not supported by the underlying network infrastructure.
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. It ensures privacy, integrity, and authentication between communicating applications, preventing eavesdropping and tampering. TLS is widely used to secure web browsing (HTTPS), email, instant messaging, and VoIP. It is the successor to Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and addresses several security vulnerabilities found in earlier versions, making it essential for protecting sensitive data transmitted over the internet.
In data security, Tokenization is the process of substituting sensitive data elements with non-sensitive equivalents, known as tokens. These tokens have no extrinsic or exploitable meaning or value. Tokenization is used to protect sensitive data such as credit card numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs), and other confidential information. By storing tokens instead of actual data, organizations reduce the risk of data breaches and comply with data protection regulations, as the actual sensitive data is stored securely in a separate location.
Terminal Services, now known as Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in Windows Server environments, is a component that allows users to access applications and data on a remote server over a network. Terminal Services enable multiple users to connect to and run applications on a server, providing centralized management of applications and resources. This technology enhances resource utilization, simplifies software deployment, and supports remote access, making it valuable for enterprise environments requiring centralized computing solutions.
TensorFlow is an open-source machine learning framework developed by Google Brain Team. It is widely used for implementing machine learning and deep learning applications, such as neural networks. TensorFlow provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and community resources that enable developers to build and deploy machine learning-powered applications across various platforms. Its flexibility and scalability make it suitable for both research and production environments in industries like healthcare, finance, and technology.
Throughput refers to the rate at which data is successfully transferred from one location to another within a given time frame, typically measured in bits per second (bps). In networking and computing, throughput indicates the performance and capacity of a system or network. Higher throughput means more data can be transmitted efficiently, leading to better network performance and user experience. Factors affecting throughput include network bandwidth, latency, packet loss, and hardware capabilities.
Threat Modeling is a structured approach used to identify, quantify, and address the security risks associated with an application or system. It involves understanding potential threats, vulnerabilities, and the impact of potential attacks, enabling organizations to develop mitigation strategies proactively. Threat modeling helps in prioritizing security measures, guiding secure design decisions, and ensuring that security considerations are integrated throughout the development lifecycle.
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting and receiving multiple signals over a common signal path by assigning different time slots to each signal. In TDM, the available bandwidth is divided into time segments, and each signal transmits in rapid succession, one after the other, using its allocated time slot. This technique maximizes the utilization of available bandwidth, allowing efficient data transmission in telecommunications and networking systems.
In networking, Topology refers to the arrangement or layout of various elements (links, nodes, etc.) in a computer network. It defines how different nodes are interconnected and how data flows between them. Common network topologies include:
Understanding network topology is crucial for network design, performance optimization, and troubleshooting.
