IT Jargon Explained: Useful Terms for Businesses 

We know that sometimes, technical terms can feel like a completely different language if you’re not used to them.

We’ve selected our top 30 terms to help with your understanding – we hope this helps. If you have encountered other jargon terms and want to know more, please contact us.

IT Jargon Explained

1. API (Application Programming Interface) – A set of rules that allows one software application to interact with another. It defines the methods and data formats that applications can use to communicate.

2. Back-up – The process of copying and archiving data to ensure its availability in the event of data loss, system failure, or other unforeseen circumstances. This should be part of your disaster recovery plan.

3. Big Data – Large and complex sets of data that traditional data processing methods are inadequate to handle. When working with big data, advanced technologies are required.

4. Blockchain – A decentralised and distributed digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers securely and tamper-resistantly.

5. Cloud Computing – The delivery of computing services, including storage, processing power, and applications, over the Internet instead of on local servers.

6. Cybersecurity – The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from security breaches, attacks, and unauthorised access.

7. DevOps – A set of practices that combine software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to improve collaboration and productivity by automating infrastructure, workflows, and continuous delivery.

8. DNS (Domain Name System) – A hierarchical system that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, facilitating the identification of resources on the Internet.

9. Encryption – converting information into a code to prevent unauthorised access and hacking. It is commonly used to secure sensitive data.

10. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – A standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet.

11. Firewall – A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

12. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) – The standard markup language used to create web pages. It structures content using a system of tags.

13. IoT (Internet of Things) – The network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other objects embedded with sensors and software that enables them to remain connected to collect and exchange data.

14. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – A cloud computing model that provides virtualised computing resources over the Internet, including virtual machines, storage, and networking.

15. Java – A widely used, object-oriented programming language known for its platform independence, making it suitable for various applications.

16. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) – A lightweight data interchange format used to transmit data between a server and a web application as an alternative to XML.

17. LAN (Local Area Network) – A network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area, such as within a single building or campus.

18. Machine Learning – A subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables systems to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.

19. Malware – Short for malicious software, it refers to software specifically designed to harm or exploit computer systems and networks. Firewalls are designed to stop this.

20. Microservices – An architectural style that structures an application as a collection of loosely coupled, independently deployable services.

21. Network Protocol – A set of rules governing data exchange between devices on a network.

22. Open Source – Software whose source code is freely available to the public, allowing anyone to view, modify, and distribute the code.

23. Ransomware – Malicious software that encrypts a user’s files and demands payment in exchange for restoring access. A type of Malware.

24. SaaS (Software as a Service) – A software distribution model where applications are hosted by a third-party provider and made available to customers over the Internet.

25. Serverless Computing – A cloud computing model where the cloud provider automatically manages the infrastructure, allowing developers to focus solely on writing code.

26. SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) – Protocols that ensure secure communication over a computer network, commonly used for securing web traffic.

27. SQL (Structured Query Language) – A domain-specific language for managing and manipulating relational databases.

28. UX (User Experience) – A user’s overall experience with a product, system, or service, encompassing aspects such as usability, design, and accessibility.

29. VPN (Virtual Private Network) – A secure and encrypted connection over the Internet, allowing users to access a private network remotely as if they were directly connected to it.

30. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) – A technology that enables the transmission of voice and multimedia content over the Internet, converting analogue audio signals into digital data packets. VoIP is commonly used for making voice calls over the Internet, offering cost-effective and flexible communication solutions.

We hope you have found our IT Jargon buster useful. If there are any further terms you are looking for explanations for, please get in touch with us.

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