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This interactive dashboard provides an expanded “Guided Tour” to help you understand how IT works.

Explore ~ 170 key IT Concepts with the sidebar Filters, Level selectors, and Quick Search options.

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Key Concepts Hub

Interactive dashboard of fundamental IT topics – select one for details

Access Control

Access Control

Access control in computer systems is a behind-the-scenes security process that manages who or what can view, use, or manage resources.
Access Management

Access Management

Access Management processes and system capabilities ensure that only authorized individuals have access to specific resources within a system.
User Access Management

Access Rights

Access Rights determine what actions an individual or process can perform, such as reading, writing, modifying, or deleting data.
Accessibility

Accessibility

Accessibility in computer systems refers to the design of software, hardware, and services so they are usable for as many people as possible.
Agile Development

Agile Development

Agile Development is a software development approach that is always focused on creating “something usable” in a short amount of time.
Application Development

Application Development

Application development is the process of creating software to support and perform several different tasks that a business requires.
Application Programming Interface - API

Application Programming Interface – API

An Application Programming Interface enables software systems to exchange information with each other. Two common API types are SOAP and RESTful web services.
Application Release Automation

Application Release Automation – ARA

Application Release Automation (ARA) automates the steps required to deploy applications into production environments.
Server Platforms

Application Server

An Application Server connects the visible part of an application (what users interact with) and the hidden parts, like databases and networks.
Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence – AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to “think like humans” and mimic their actions.
Asset Management

Asset Management

IT asset management provides a framework to actively and accurately manage all the components that the company pays for as part of its IT activities.
Audits

Audits

IT audits review the IT systems’ availability, the integrity of the organization’s information and determine which areas pose risks that need to be addressed.
Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality – AR

Augmented Reality overlays digital information—such as images, text, or sounds—onto the real world to , enhance one’s perception of reality.
Back End Software

Back-End Software

Back-end software supports all the functionality and information for the capabilities of programs that users utilize on their “front end” devices.
Big Data

Big Data

Big Data refers to the vast and complex data sets organizations are interested in capturing and analyzing to optimize their business capabilities.
Big Data Technologies

Big Data Technologies

Big Data Technologies have revolutionized various industries by providing previously inaccessible insights. 
Blockchain Technologies

Blockchain Technologies

Blockchain technologies enable a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across many computers to prevent the registered transactions from being altered retroactively. 
Browser

Browser – Internet Browser

Browsers support the display of web pages, which are most commonly served by a web server across the internet.
Build Management

Build Management

Build Management encompasses the processes, tools, and practices used to compile and assemble software code into a functional software product.
Business Analysis

Business Analysis

Business Analysis in IT is all about ensuring that technical solutions cater to business needs effectively and efficiently.
Business Continuity

Business Continuity

Business Continuity in IT refers to the strategies and procedures organizations implement to ensure critical business functions can continue during and after a disaster. 
Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence – BI

Business Intelligence (BI) focuses on transforming raw operational computer data into actionable insights to support effective organizational decision-making.
Business Process Modeling - BPM

Business Process Modeling – BPM

Business Analysts do Business Process Modeling to document how a business works in detail. It is necessary to make sure the right IT systems are built.
Capacity Management

Capacity Management

Capacity management in IT ensures an organization’s IT infrastructure can handle current and future demands efficiently and cost-effectively.
Certifications

Certifications

IT certifications help with the standardization of career tracks, make hiring IT professionals an easier process and can boost career options and income for IT
Change Management

Change Management

Change management in IT is a structured approach for ensuring that changes to IT systems and services are implemented smoothly and successfully. 
Server Platforms

Client-Server Systems

The Client-Server architecture in computer systems connects a large number of end clients to a comparatively small number of central servers over a network.
Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing allows users to access data storage, processing power, software applications, and networking over the Internet on an on-demand basis.
Cloud Platforms

Cloud Infrastructure

Cloud Infrastructure refers to the virtual foundation of computing resources that support applications, data storage, and services through the Internet. 
Cloud Management

Cloud Management

Cloud management aims to provide a seamless and efficient user experience while maintaining control over the infrastructure and costs.
Cloud Platforms

Cloud Platforms

Infrastructure and Cloud Platforms provide the essential components needed to host, manage, and scale applications and data.
Collaboration Software

Collaboration Software

Collaboration software, or groupware, is designed to help people involved in a common task achieve their goals.
Compliance

Compliance – IT Compliance

IT Compliance refers to adhering to external regulations, internal policies, and industry standards governing information technology and systems.
Configuration Management

Configuration Management

Configuration Management tracks the details of “changes” to ensure system integrity and traceability throughout an IT system’s lifecycle. 
Containerization

Containerization

Containerization encapsulates applications and their dependencies into isolated units which can run consistently across various computing environments. 
Content Management

Content Management

Content Management is the process of organizing, storing, and controlling access to digital content within an IT environment.
Continuous Integration and Delivery

Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery – CI/CD

Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery ensure that software can be delivered efficiently and reliably.
Continuous Integration / Deployment

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment – CI/CD

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) aim to improve the software delivery process by making it faster and more reliable. 
Cross Functional

Cross-Functional

Cross-functional work is a collaborative approach where professionals from different departments or areas of expertise come together to achieve a common goal.
Data

Data

Data is the backbone of the modern IT landscape and is at the basis of operations, decision-making, and innovation in all IT systems.
Data Access Layer

Data Access Layer – DAL

The Data Access Layer acts as an intermediary between the application and the database, abstracting the complexities of database interactions. 
Data Analysis

Data Analysis

Data analysis involves examining, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data to discover useful information, draw conclusions, and support decision-making.
Data Analytics

Data Analytics

Data analytics helps organizations make smarter decisions by transforming raw data into meaningful knowledge.
Data Backup

Data Backup

Data backup is the process of copying and archiving data to ensure it can be restored in case of data loss.
Data Center

Data Center

A data center is a dedicated facility that houses computer systems and related components, such as servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.
Data Center Automation

Data Center Automation

Data center automation refers to using software and tools to control, manage, and streamline operations without constant manual intervention.
Data Management

Data Management

Data management is a broad field encompassing various disciplines that work together to ensure data is accurate, secure, and available for decision-making.
Data Model

Data Modeling

Data modeling helps teams design databases that accurately reflect real-world information and support business processes.
Data Processing

Data Processing

Data processing is the method of collecting, organizing, and transforming data into meaningful information.
Data Science

Data Science

Data science involves using various scientific methods, algorithms, and systems to extract insights and knowledge from data.
Data Storage

Data Storage

Data storage deals with saving and managing digital data in a structured way, using technologies that best fit the usage scenario.
Data Warehouse

Data Warehouse

A data warehouse is a specialized system designed to store and manage large amounts of data for analysis and querying.
Database

Database

A database is an IT system that keeps data organized so it can be easily accessed, managed, and updated.
Database Access

Database Access

Database access refers to how users, applications, or other systems interact with a database and the operations they are allowed to perform.
Database Backup

Database Tools

Database tools help ensure databases’ integrity and performance and with automating routine tasks.
Software Debugging

Debugging

Debugging helps developers ensure that their software runs smoothly and does what it’s supposed to do.
Defect Management

Defect Management

Defect management involves identifying, documenting, and resolving bugs or errors.
Delivery Management

Delivery Management

IT Delivery Management ensures that IT projects meet their deadlines, budgets, and quality standards while aligning with client expectations.
IT Guide

Demand Management

Demand Management focuses on understanding what IT services are needed, when they are needed, and how they align with the organization’s priorities.
Deployment Management

Deployment Management

Deployment Management is the structured process of moving software applications, updates, or systems from development into live environments.
Design Patterns

Design Patterns

Design patterns are reusable solutions to common IT problems in software design.
Desktop Computer

Desktop

A Desktop is a personal computing environment that includes the visual interface and functionality used on a workstation or personal computer.
Development Management

Development Management

Development management in IT refers to overseeing and guiding software development projects from start to finish.
DevOps

DevOps

DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to improve the speed and quality of delivering software.
Disaster Recovery

Disaster Recovery – DR

IT Disaster Recovery refers to the strategies, tools, and processes to restore critical systems and data after unexpected events.
Document Management

Document Management

Document management ensures that important files, records, and data are accessible to the right people, secure and well-organized.
Documentation

Documentation

IT documentation is the organized collection of written materials that explain how software, systems, or processes work.
E-Commerce

E-Commerce

E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services over the internet, supported by digital systems and online platforms.
E-learning

E-Learning

E-learning refers to the use of electronic technologies, such as computers and the internet, to deliver educational content and training.
E-Mail

Email

Email is a method of exchanging digital messages over the internet, allowing people to send and receive text, files, and multimedia almost instantly.
Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are specialized computer systems designed to perform dedicated tasks within larger machines or devices.
End User

End User

An End User in IT is the person who ultimately uses a product, application, or service once it is fully developed and deployed.
End User Devices

End User Devices

End User Devices are the computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other digital tools that people interact with directly to access software, data, or IT services.
Enterprise Applications

Enterprise Applications

Enterprise applications help automate and streamline complex business operations across an organization.
Enterprise Resource Planning systems

Enterprise Resource Planning Systems – ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are integrated software platforms used to manage and automate core business processes across an organization.
Environment

Environment

Environments in IT refer to structured settings where software applications are developed, tested, and deployed.
Event Management

Event Management

Event Management refers to identifying, monitoring, and responding to events that occur within IT systems.
External IT Management

External IT Management

External IT Management refers to overseeing all the third-party products and services that an IT organization acquires to support its internal operations and business services.
Extract Transform Load

Extract Transform Load – ETL

Extract Transform Load, or ETL, allows organizations to gather data from multiple sources and organize it for easy access and analysis.
Field Locations

Field Locations

Field Locations refer to any physical sites where IT assets, operations, or services are deployed outside a central office or data center.
File Types

File Types

A File Format or File Type refers to the structure and encoding method used to store data in a computer file.
Front End Development

Front-end Development

Front-end Development refers to the design and coding work that creates the visible part of a website or application that users interact with.
Front-End Technologies

Front-end Technologies

Front-end Technologies refer to the tools, languages, and frameworks used to build the parts of a website or application that users see and interact with.
Governance

Governance

Governance in IT refers to the structured framework that guides how technology decisions are made and enforced within an organization.
Helpdesk

Help Desk

A Help Desk is a support service that provides users with assistance for technical issues, computer problems, and IT-related inquiries.
Identity Access Management - IAM

Identity Access Management – IAM

Identity Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies, technologies, and processes that helps control who can access what resources within an IT system.
Implementation Management

Implementation Management

Implementation Management refers to the structured process of putting new technology solutions into practical use within an organization.
Incident Management

Incident Management

Incident Management is a structured process in Information Technology for identifying, analyzing, and restoring normal service after an unplanned disruption.
Integrated Development Environment

Integrated Development Environment – IDE

An Integrated Development Environment, or IDE, is a software application that provides tools to help programmers write, test, and manage code more efficiently.
Internal IT Management

Internal IT Management

Internal IT Management focuses on optimizing resources, improving service delivery, and aligning IT goals with overall business objectives.
Internet Security

Internet Security

Internet Security refers to the practice of protecting data, systems, and users from cyber threats that occur online.
Intranet

Intranet

An Intranet is a private computer network used within an organization to securely share information, tools, and applications among employees.
Intrusion Detection

Intrusion Detection Systems – IDS

Intrusion Detection is the process of monitoring computer systems or networks for signs of unauthorized access, misuse, or malicious activity.
Intrusion Prevention Systems

Intrusion Prevention Systems – IPS

Intrusion Prevention is a security process designed to detect and block malicious activity within an information system.
Issue Tracking

Issue Tracking

Issue Tracking is the process of identifying, recording, managing, and resolving problems or tasks that arise during software development or IT operations.
IT Architecture

IT Architecture

IT architecture focuses on the design and integration of computer systems or software, so they align with the business goals and needs of an organization.
IT Frameworks

IT Frameworks

IT frameworks provide a structured approach for how IT Pros do their work to improve collaboration, scalability, and maintainability of IT systems.
IT Strategy

IT Strategy

IT Strategy is a long-term plan that defines how an organization will use technology to meet its goals.
Job Scheduling

Job Scheduling

Job Scheduling in IT refers to the automated planning and execution of computer tasks at specific times or under certain conditions.
Libraries in Software Development

Libraries

Libraries are collections of pre-written code that software developers use to perform common tasks without writing all the code themselves.
Logging

Logging

Logging in IT refers to the process of recording events, actions, and messages that occur within software systems or digital infrastructure.
Machine Learning

Machine Learning – ML

Machine Learning, or ML, is a field within artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed for every task.
Methodology

Methodologies

Methodologies are structured approaches to plan, develop, and manage IT technology projects
Middleware

Middleware

Middleware provides common and shared services that different applications can use, such as messaging, data management, and transaction processing.
Mobile Technologies

Mobile Technologies

Mobile Technologies refer to a broad set of tools and systems that enable communication, computing, and software services on portable devices.
System Monitoring

Monitoring – System Monitoring

System Monitoring is the continuous process of observing and analyzing the performance, availability, and health of computer systems and networks.
Multimedia

Multimedia

Multimedia refers to the combined use of text, audio, images, animation, and video to deliver content and applications.
Network

Network

In IT, a network refers to interconnected devices that can exchange data and share resources.
Network Management

Network Management

Network Management includes the administration, monitoring, and maintenance of a computer network to ensure it operates efficiently and securely.
Network Security

Network Security

Network Security protects digital networks and the data flowing through them from unauthorized access, misuse, or disruption.
Network Support

Network Support

Network Support refers to maintaining and troubleshooting computer networks to ensure reliable communication and data exchange.
Network Technologies

Network Technologies

Network Technologies refer to the tools, systems, and protocols used to connect computers and devices for communication and data sharing.
Object Relational Mapping

Object Relational Mapping – ORM

Object Relational Mapping allows developers to work with database data as if it were regular code objects.
Object Oriented Programming

Object-Oriented Programming – OOP

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a style of programming is centered around “objects” to make software easier to design, build, and maintain.
Campus Locations

Office Facilities

Office Facilities refer to the physical resources and services provided within an office environment to support daily operations.
Open-Source Software

Open-Source Software

Open-source software indicates that the original source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share.
Operating System

Operating Systems – OS

An Operating System acts as a bridge between the user, applications, and the physical parts of a device.
Software Packaging

Packaging

Packaging is the process of preparing software applications for deployment and installation across multiple systems in a standardized way.
Payment Gateways

Payment Gateways

Payment Gateways serve as secure bridges that transfer payment information from a website or app to the financial institutions involved.
Performance Management

Performance Management

IT Performance Management is the process of monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing the speed, responsiveness, and stability of technology systems.
Portfolio Management

Portfolio Management

Portfolio Management in IT focuses on balancing resources, budgets, risks, and timelines across multiple efforts to deliver maximum value to the organization.
Production Support

Production Support

Production Support refers to the continuous maintenance and monitoring of live software systems after they have been released for business use.
Programming

Programming

Programming allows people to create software, websites, applications, and systems that perform various tasks.
Programming Languages

Programming Languages

Programming Languages enable software developers to write code that computers can understand and execute.
Project Management

Project Management

Project Management ensures that complex technology projects—such as software development or system upgrades—are completed efficiently and successfully.
Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance – QA

Quality Assurance (QA) ensures software and systems meet defined standards of quality.
Release Management

Release Management

Release Management is the process of planning, scheduling, and controlling software builds through different stages and environments.
Reporting

Reporting

Reporting is the systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and presenting data to support decision-making, performance tracking, and compliance.
Requirements Management

Requirements Management

Requirements Management that business objectives are clearly understood and addressed through technical solutions.
Scripting Languages

Scripting Languages

Scripting Languages are programming languages designed for automating tasks and controlling other software applications.
Scrum Methodology

Scrum Methodology

The Scrum Methodology in IT refers to the Scrum framework for software development, which uses short Sprints to deliver new versions of software.
Search

Search Technologies – Search

Search Technologies help users and systems access relevant data from large volumes of content stored across various platforms.
Security

Security – IT Security

IT Security involves strategies and tools that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
Security Management

Security Management

Security Management refers to the processes and policies that protect an organization’s information systems from threats.
Security Support

Security Support

Security Support refers to the operational teams within IT that manage and maintain the security of the technology environment.
Server Racks

Server Hardware

Servers are powerful computers or software systems for storing, processing, and managing data within IT environments.
Server Platforms

Server Platforms

Server Platforms provide the foundation for hosting websites, managing enterprise systems, and supporting cloud infrastructure.
Server-Side

Server-Side

Server-side refers to operations or processes that take place on a web server rather than on a user’s device.
Service Oriented Architecture

Service-Oriented Architecture – SOA

Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is a method of designing software systems with separate, reusable services that perform business functions.
Software Applications

Software Applications

Application Software provides specific functionality for a particular area of activity or function.
Software Configuration Management

Software Configuration Management – SCM

Software Configuration Management helps ensure consistency, integrity, and traceability throughout the software development lifecycle.
Software Development

Software Development

Software development is the complete process for creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components.
Software Development Methodology

Software Development Methodologies

Software Development Methodologies are structured approaches used by IT teams to guide the processes of designing, developing, testing, and delivering software.
Software Distribution

Software Distribution

Software Distribution ensures that users have the necessary tools and updates without manually installing them.
Software Types

Software Types

Software Types are typically divided into broad categories, based on how software is used, managed, or delivered.
Solution Development

Solution Development

Solution Development focuses on turning planned features into functioning technology through structured design and coding.
Source Code Management

Source Code Management

Source Code Management allows developers to track changes, collaborate, and maintain version control across projects.
Storage Networking

Storage Networking

Storage Networking enables centralized data access, efficient resource sharing, and streamlined backup processes.
System Administration

System Administration

System Administration ensures that IT infrastructure is operating efficiently and securely.
System Integration

System Integration

System Integration is the process of linking different computing systems and software applications to function as a coordinated whole.
System Support

System Support

System Support refers to the IT teams responsible for maintaining the health, stability, and performance of live production systems within an organization.
Systems Management

Systems Management

Systems Management ensures that hardware, software, networks, and data resources function efficiently and securely.
Task Automation

Task Automation

Task Automation improves efficiency, reduce errors, and lower operational costs.
Tech Support

Technical Support

Technical Support helps ensure that IT operations run smoothly by resolving technical issues quickly and effectively.
Testing

Testing

Testing is the process of evaluating software or systems to ensure they function correctly, meet requirements, and are free of defects.
Threat Management

Threat Management

Threat Management involves monitoring threats in real-time and taking action to reduce the likelihood of data breaches, cyberattacks, or service disruptions.
User Access Management

User Access Management

User Access Management ensures that users have the appropriate permissions based on their roles and responsibilities.
User Interface

User Interfaces

User Interfaces are the visual and interactive parts of software that make digital systems easier to use and understand.
End User Support

User Support

User Support refers to the services and assistance provided to individuals who interact directly with IT systems, software, and hardware.
Vendor Management

Vendor Management

Vendor Management in IT focuses on managing technology vendors to improve service quality, reduce costs, and strengthen business continuity.
Version Control

Version Control

Version Control software enables programmers to work on different parts of the software code, while keeping the whole team on track with the project.
Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality – VR

Virtual Reality is a computer-generated environment that simulates real or imaginary worlds.
Virtualization

Virtualization

Virtualization allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical system, sharing its resources efficiently.
Voice Networking

Voice Networking

Voice Networking refers to the systems and technologies used to transmit voice communications over various types of networks.
Web Technologies

Web Applications

Web Applications are software programs that run on web servers, are accessed through web browsers, and do not need to be installed on individual devices.
Web Development

Web Development

Web Development is the process of building and maintaining websites and web applications.
Web Frameworks

Web Frameworks

Web Frameworks help developers build websites and web applications by providing reusable code and structures.
Web Server

Web Server

Web servers handle the hosting and serving of websites, responding to requests from clients and delivering web pages.
Web Services

Web Services

Web services refer to standardized ways of integrating web-based applications using open standards over a regular computer network.
Web Technologies

Web Technologies

Web technologies encompass a wide range of tools, languages, and protocols designed to develop and manage websites and web applications.
Wireless Networking Technologies

Wireless Networking Technologies

Wireless network technologies allow devices to connect and communicate without physical cables, using radio waves or infrared signals.