ARE YOU TIRED OF FEELING LEFT OUT OF TECH CONVERSATIONS? HAVE YOU EVER FOUND YOURSELF LOST IN A SEA OF LINGO AND ACRONYMS WHILE EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE?
Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just starting out in the industry, keeping up with the latest tech terms is crucial to your success.
To help you navigate the world of tech jargon, Aimee Treasure, Marketing Director and D&I Lead at Templeton and Partners, has put together a comprehensive tech dictionary of 10 fundamental terms that every IT professional should know. From spoofing to passkey, this guide is a plain-English resource that will help you stay on top of the latest industry buzzwords.
Aimee is the Marketing Director and D&I Lead at Templeton and Partners, a diverse tech recruitment agency supporting some of the world’s largest businesses. A Chartered Marketer, Aimee’s accolades include Marketing Week’s Rising Star of the Year and Account Professional of the Year at the Recruitment Marketing Awards.
Read on to see if you’re really as tech-savvy as you think you are.
TOKENISATION
What is it? Tokenisation is the process of replacing sensitive data with a non-sensitive equivalent, such as a randomly generated alphanumeric code known as a token. This helps protect sensitive data from potential security threats while still allowing it to be translated back to the original only by trusted individuals.
Why should I know this? Proper tokenisation is crucial in maintaining data security as it helps neutralise potential security threats.
VIRTUALISATION
What is it? Virtualisation is the creation of a digital equivalent (a virtual version) of a physical IT resource, such as a server, storage, or operating system, allowing users to access and run entire operating systems from remote devices.
Why should I know this? Because of its many benefits, including cost savings and resource allocation ease. Additionally, configuring and maintaining virtual servers, desktops, applications, and storage is a valuable skill in today’s IT industry.
SPOOFING
What is it? Spoofing is a type of cyberattack where hackers disguise themselves as trusted users to gain unauthorised access to a system or steal sensitive data. Cybercriminals often use this method to breach bank accounts or withdraw personal information like passwords.
Why should I know this? Every IT professional should understand the dangers of spoofing and the importance of implementing proper identification and security features to protect IT resources against these attacks.
SHADOW IT
What is it? The use of systems, devices, software, etc., without explicit approval from the IT department. Shadow IT has increased with the adoption of cloud-based applications and services. Still, while it enhances productivity and innovation, it also poses serious security risks, such as data leaks and compliance violations.
Why should I know this? To prevent security breaches and implement approved software solutions that ensure security and compliance.
CROSS-PLATFORM
What is it? It refers to software or applications running on multiple operating systems or platforms, such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. This allows users to access the same application on different devices and operating systems. Cross-platform technology also enables organisations to streamline their IT infrastructure and reduce costs.
Why should I know this? IT professionals should be familiar with cross-platform development to create software and applications that can reach a wider audience and provide a consistent user experience across different devices and platforms.
DATA LAKE
What is it? A centralised repository that allows data to be stored in its natural format from multiple sources rather than requiring it to be transformed into a specific schema or format. Data lakes are typically used for advanced analytics and machine learning, allowing organisations to access and analyse large amounts of data easily.
Why should I know this? With the rise of big data and the need for advanced analytics, understanding how to design and manage data lakes has become an important skill for every IT professional.
PASSKEY
What is it? A new authentication technology that uses tokenisation instead of traditional passwords for logging into different applications. It was introduced by major vendors like Apple, Microsoft, and Google in the fall of 2022 and was developed by the FIDO Alliance.
Why should I know this? Passkey aims to improve security by preventing phishing (another type of cyberattack) and spoofing attacks. Tech professionals should be aware of this new technology as it may impact how users authenticate and access applications.
DEVSECOPS
What is it? DevSecOps is a design philosophy for IT systems that combines development, security, and operations practices. It incorporates security measures into deploying and maintaining software updates and patches.
Why should I know this? Because it is an essential component of modern IT infrastructures that allows developers to create and deploy software rapidly while adhering to security protocols.
ITIL®
What is it? ITIL® is a widely adopted and highly respected framework within the IT industry that defines the best practices and standards for providing IT services. It provides guidelines for planning, delivering, maintaining, and improving IT services which can help organisations increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Why should I know this? IT professionals who are knowledgeable in ITIL® practices and hold relevant certifications are highly sought after in the job market and can expect to earn higher salaries.
GUI
What is it? GUI, or Graphical User Interface, is a widely used IT term that refers to a visual representation of computer processes using graphical elements such as icons, buttons, and menus, which allows users to complete tasks without needing to enter command line code.
Why should I know this? For most web-based designs and applications, GUI is essential. Implementing it allows for a more accessible user experience that can help users easily navigate a given software.
