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 Vulnerability Assessment is a systematic process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing security weaknesses in an IT environment. This includes scanning networks, systems, and applications to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber threats. The assessment provides organizations with insights into their security posture, enabling them to address vulnerabilities proactively, implement appropriate safeguards, and comply with regulatory requirements to mitigate the risk of data breaches.
A Version Control System (VCS) is a software tool that helps developers manage changes to source code over time. It tracks modifications, maintains a history of changes, and allows multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously without conflicts. VCS facilitates collaboration, enables rollback to previous versions if issues arise, and ensures code integrity. Popular version control systems include Git, Subversion (SVN), and Mercurial.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that enables voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the internet. VoIP converts analog voice signals into digital data packets, allowing for voice calls to be made from computers, smartphones, or VoIP phones. This technology reduces communication costs, integrates with other services like email and video conferencing, and offers flexibility and scalability for both personal and business telecommunications.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a secure communication method used to protect data transmitted over public networks like the internet. It establishes an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and a VPN server, masking the user’s IP address and encrypting all data sent and received. VPNs are commonly used by businesses to enable remote employees to securely access corporate networks and by individuals seeking to enhance online privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, or protect sensitive information from cyber threats.
Virtualization is a technology that allows multiple operating systems and applications to run on a single physical hardware system by abstracting the hardware resources. It creates virtual versions of computer resources, such as servers, storage devices, networks, or even entire operating systems, known as virtual machines (VMs). Virtualization optimizes resource utilization, reduces costs, simplifies IT management, and enhances scalability by allowing organizations to deploy and manage multiple environments from a centralized infrastructure.
