IT glossary

A way of signing in that asks, on top of the password, for a second proof of identity, such as a notification on your phone.

Antivirus installed and overseen centrally by an IT team, which receives the alerts and acts when something is detected.

A fraudulent message that imitates a known organisation to steal passwords, data or money.

A copy of your data stored elsewhere, so it can be recovered after a failure, a mistake or an attack. It is only reliable if it is tested regularly.

Microsoft's family of security products that protects computers, email and accounts against threats.

A Wi-Fi network kept separate from the company network, giving internet access without exposing internal devices.

A device that broadcasts the Wi-Fi network. Professional models support several networks and centralised management.

A device that connects the devices on a wired network. A managed switch lets you separate networks and control traffic.

An organised, documented cable network, with labelled sockets and ports, connecting computers, phones and access points.

An encrypted connection that gives secure access to the company network or files from anywhere.

A storage device connected to the network, where the team stores and shares files.

Services and data hosted in data centres on the internet instead of servers in the office. Microsoft 365 is one example.

Microsoft's suite of business apps and services: Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint and business email.

A partner in Microsoft's Cloud Solution Provider programme, authorised to sell, manage and support cloud licences such as Microsoft 365.

A Microsoft service to manage and protect company computers and phones remotely.

Support where the technician connects to the computer remotely, with the user's permission, to fix the problem without a visit.

A support service that receives users' requests and resolves or routes them.

Continuous tracking of the state of your equipment, so problems are spotted before they become failures.

A support service with a fixed monthly fee and regular visits with agreed goals.

A set of technical hours bought in advance at a discount, which the company uses as needed.

Handing over the management of IT, fully or partly, to an outside company instead of keeping an in-house team.