Plain English
IT explained without the jargon.
If you've ever nodded along while your IT person talked, this is for you. Every term on this page is explained the way we'd explain it to a friend over coffee.
2
- 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)Cybersecurity
- A login check that asks for a second proof of identity, such as a code texted to your phone, on top of your password.
A
- ACSC (Australian Cyber Security Centre)Compliance and Privacy
- The Australian government body that issues cyber security advice, alerts and guidance for businesses.
- API (Application Programming Interface)Software and Applications
- A set of rules that lets two software programs share information and work together automatically.
- AntivirusCybersecurity
- Software that detects and removes known malware from your devices.
- Application (App)Software and Applications
- A program that does a specific job, such as your email, accounting software or web browser.
- ArchivingData Backup and Recovery
- Moving older data you rarely use into long term storage to free up space while keeping it available.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)AI and Automation
- Software that performs tasks normally needing human thinking, such as answering questions or spotting patterns.
- Audit TrailCompliance and Privacy
- A record of who did what and when in a system, useful for security and accountability.
- AutomationAI and Automation
- Setting up technology to handle repetitive tasks for you, saving time and reducing mistakes.
B
- BEC (Business Email Compromise)Cybersecurity
- A scam where criminals impersonate a boss or supplier by email to trick staff into paying a fake invoice or changing bank details.
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)Hardware and Devices
- When staff use their own phones or laptops for work instead of company supplied ones.
- BackupData Backup and Recovery
- A spare copy of your data kept somewhere safe so you can recover it if something goes wrong.
- BandwidthNetworking and Internet
- How much data your internet connection can carry at once. More bandwidth means faster downloads and smoother video calls.
- Break/FixManaged IT and Support
- The older IT model where you only call for help when something breaks and pay by the hour.
- BrowserSoftware and Applications
- The program you use to visit websites, such as Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox.
- Brute Force AttackCybersecurity
- An attack that tries thousands of password combinations until it finds the right one.
- Business ContinuityData Backup and Recovery
- Planning that keeps your business running during and after a disruption.
C
- CPU (Central Processing Unit)Hardware and Devices
- The brain of a computer that carries out instructions and calculations. A faster CPU handles more work at once.
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management)Software and Applications
- Software that tracks your customers, leads and the history of your dealings with them.
- ChatbotAI and Automation
- An automated assistant that answers questions or helps customers through a chat window.
- Cloud ComputingCloud and Hosting
- Using software, storage or computing power over the internet instead of from a machine in your office.
- Co-Managed ITManaged IT and Support
- An arrangement where your own staff and an outside IT provider share the workload.
- ComplianceCompliance and Privacy
- Meeting the legal and industry rules that apply to your business and your data.
- CopilotAI and Automation
- Microsoft's AI assistant built into its apps to help you write, summarise and work faster.
- Credential StuffingCybersecurity
- When attackers use stolen username and password pairs from one breach to try logging into your other accounts.
D
- DNS (Domain Name System)Networking and Internet
- The internet's address book that turns a website name into the number computers actually use to find it.
- Data BreachCybersecurity
- When private information is accessed, stolen or leaked without permission.
- Data CentreCloud and Hosting
- A secure building full of servers where cloud services and websites are hosted.
- Data SovereigntyCompliance and Privacy
- The principle that data is subject to the laws of the country where it is stored. Worth checking when choosing cloud providers.
- DeepfakeCybersecurity
- A fake video, image or voice created by AI that looks or sounds real, sometimes used to trick staff.
- Disaster RecoveryData Backup and Recovery
- Your plan for getting systems and data back up after a major problem like a fire, flood or cyber attack.
- DomainNetworking and Internet
- Your website and email name, such as considerit.com.au.
- DriverSoftware and Applications
- A small piece of software that lets your computer talk to a device like a printer or webcam.
E
- EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)Cybersecurity
- A smarter step up from antivirus that watches devices for suspicious behaviour and responds to threats automatically.
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)Software and Applications
- Software that ties together core parts of a business such as finance, stock and orders in one system.
- Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)Email and Communication
- Behind the scenes settings that prove your emails really come from you and stop scammers spoofing your domain.
- EncryptionCybersecurity
- Scrambling data so only someone with the right key can read it, keeping it private even if it is stolen.
- EndpointHardware and Devices
- Any device that connects to your network, such as a laptop, phone or desktop. Each one is a possible way in for attackers.
- Essential EightCompliance and Privacy
- A set of eight security strategies recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre to protect against attacks.
- EthernetNetworking and Internet
- A cable based network connection. It is usually faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.
F
- FirewallCybersecurity
- A barrier that filters traffic coming in and out of your network to block threats.
G
- GDPRCompliance and Privacy
- A strict European privacy law that can apply if you handle the data of people in Europe.
- Generative AIAI and Automation
- AI that creates new content such as text, images or code, for example ChatGPT or Copilot.
H
- HDD (Hard Disk Drive)Hardware and Devices
- An older style of storage that uses a spinning disk. Cheaper than an SSD but slower.
- Help DeskManaged IT and Support
- The team you contact for day to day IT support and troubleshooting.
- HostingCloud and Hosting
- The service that stores your website or email on a server so it is available on the internet.
- Hybrid CloudCloud and Hosting
- A mix of cloud services and your own on site equipment working together.
I
- IP AddressNetworking and Internet
- A unique number that identifies a device on a network, a bit like a street address for your computer.
- ISP (Internet Service Provider)Networking and Internet
- The company that supplies your internet connection, such as Telstra or Aussie Broadband.
- IntegrationSoftware and Applications
- Connecting two systems so they share data automatically instead of you copying it across by hand.
L
- LAN (Local Area Network)Networking and Internet
- The network inside one location, such as all the devices in your office.
- LLM (Large Language Model)AI and Automation
- The kind of AI behind chatbots that understands and writes human like text.
- LatencyNetworking and Internet
- The delay between asking for something online and getting a response. Low latency feels snappy, high latency feels laggy.
- Legacy SystemSoftware and Applications
- Older software or hardware still in use but no longer well supported, which can become a risk.
- Licence (Software Licence)Software and Applications
- Your legal permission to use a piece of software, usually paid per user or per device.
M
- MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)Cybersecurity
- A second check on top of your password, such as a code on your phone, that stops most account break ins.
- MSP (Managed Service Provider)Managed IT and Support
- An IT company that looks after your technology for an ongoing monthly fee rather than charging only when something breaks.
- Machine LearningAI and Automation
- A type of AI that learns and improves from data over time rather than being programmed for every step.
- MalwareCybersecurity
- Any nasty software designed to damage or break into your systems, including viruses and ransomware.
- Managed ServicesManaged IT and Support
- Ongoing IT support, monitoring and maintenance for a predictable monthly cost.
- Microsoft 365Cloud and Hosting
- Microsoft's subscription bundle of email, Office apps and online storage used by many businesses.
- MigrationCloud and Hosting
- Moving your data, email or systems from one place to another, such as from an old server to the cloud.
N
- NAS (Network Attached Storage)Hardware and Devices
- A small box on your network that lets your team store and share files in one central place.
- NBN (National Broadband Network)Networking and Internet
- Australia's national network that delivers internet to homes and businesses.
- Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB)Compliance and Privacy
- An Australian scheme requiring businesses to report serious data breaches to those affected and the regulator.
O
- OnboardingManaged IT and Support
- The process of setting up a new client, staff member or system properly from the start.
- Open SourceSoftware and Applications
- Software whose code is free for anyone to use, change and share.
- Operating System (OS)Software and Applications
- The main software that runs a device and lets everything else work, such as Windows, macOS or Android.
P
- PCI DSSCompliance and Privacy
- A security standard businesses must follow if they take card payments.
- Password ManagerCybersecurity
- A secure app that creates and remembers strong, unique passwords for you so you do not have to.
- PatchSoftware and Applications
- A small update that fixes a bug or security hole in software. Applying patches promptly keeps you safe.
- Patch ManagementCybersecurity
- The ongoing job of keeping all your software up to date so known security holes are closed.
- Penetration Test (Pen Test)Cybersecurity
- A controlled, friendly hacking exercise that finds weaknesses in your systems before real attackers do.
- PeripheralHardware and Devices
- Any device you plug into a computer, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer or monitor.
- PhishingCybersecurity
- Fake emails or messages that trick you into giving up passwords or clicking dangerous links by pretending to be someone you trust.
- Privacy ActCompliance and Privacy
- Australia's main law governing how businesses must handle personal information.
- Proactive SupportManaged IT and Support
- Spotting and fixing problems before they affect you, rather than waiting for things to break.
- PromptAI and Automation
- The instruction or question you give an AI tool to get the result you want.
R
- RAM (Random Access Memory)Hardware and Devices
- Short term memory a computer uses for whatever it is working on right now. More RAM means smoother multitasking.
- RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management)Managed IT and Support
- The tools an IT provider uses to monitor your devices, apply updates and fix issues remotely.
- RPO (Recovery Point Objective)Data Backup and Recovery
- How much recent data you can afford to lose, measured in time. A one hour RPO means losing at most an hour of work.
- RTO (Recovery Time Objective)Data Backup and Recovery
- How quickly you need your systems back up and running after an outage.
- RansomwareCybersecurity
- Malware that locks up your files and demands a payment to unlock them. Good backups are your best defence.
- RedundancyData Backup and Recovery
- Having a backup component or system ready to take over so a single failure does not stop you.
- Remote AccessNetworking and Internet
- The ability to use a computer or system from another location, such as logging into the office from home.
- RouterHardware and Devices
- The device that connects your office to the internet and lets your computers talk to each other.
S
- SLA (Service Level Agreement)Managed IT and Support
- A written promise about the level of service you will receive, such as how quickly support will respond.
- SOC (Security Operations Centre)Cybersecurity
- A team or service that monitors your systems around the clock for security threats.
- SSD (Solid State Drive)Hardware and Devices
- A fast type of storage with no moving parts. It makes computers start up and open programs much quicker than older drives.
- SaaS (Software as a Service)Software and Applications
- Software you pay for by subscription and use online instead of installing it, such as Xero or Microsoft 365.
- ScalabilityCloud and Hosting
- How easily a system can grow or shrink to match your needs without a major overhaul.
- ServerHardware and Devices
- A powerful computer that stores files or runs software for everyone in the business to share.
- Social EngineeringCybersecurity
- Tricking people rather than hacking machines, by playing on trust, urgency or fear to gain access or information.
- SpamEmail and Communication
- Unwanted junk email, often sent in bulk and sometimes hiding scams.
- Spear PhishingCybersecurity
- A targeted phishing attack aimed at a specific person, often using real details to seem genuine.
- SpoofingEmail and Communication
- When a scammer fakes the sender details of an email or website to look like a trusted source.
- SwitchHardware and Devices
- A device that joins multiple computers and devices together on the same network using cables.
T
- Three-Two-One Backup RuleData Backup and Recovery
- A simple guide: keep three copies of your data, on two types of storage, with one copy kept offsite.
- TicketManaged IT and Support
- A logged record of a support request that tracks an issue from start to finish.
U
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)Hardware and Devices
- A battery backup that keeps equipment running briefly during a power cut, so you can save your work and shut down safely.
- UptimeCloud and Hosting
- The amount of time a system is working and available, usually shown as a percentage. Higher is better.
V
- VPN (Virtual Private Network)Cybersecurity
- A secure, private tunnel over the internet that lets staff connect safely to the office from anywhere.
- VoIP (Voice over IP)Networking and Internet
- Making phone calls over the internet instead of a traditional phone line, usually cheaper and more flexible.
- VulnerabilityCybersecurity
- A weak spot in software or systems that an attacker could take advantage of.
- vCIO (Virtual Chief Information Officer)Managed IT and Support
- A part time IT strategist provided by your IT partner who helps with technology planning and budgeting.
W
- WAN (Wide Area Network)Networking and Internet
- A network that links sites across different locations, often over the internet.
- Wi-FiNetworking and Internet
- The wireless way your devices connect to the network without cables.
- WorkstationHardware and Devices
- A desktop or laptop computer used by a staff member for their daily work.
Z
- Zero TrustCybersecurity
- A security approach that never assumes anyone is safe by default and verifies every request, even from inside the network.
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