Ever felt lost in the labyrinth of the IT world, surrounded by confusing terms and acronyms?
Fear not. Here at CTRL-S, we’re here to demystify some of the most common tech jargon you might encounter, enabling you to make the most of your technology solutions and better-informed decisions. After all, knowledge is power!
- Cloud vs On-Premise
This battle is apparent in many areas of the IT world. The ‘cloud’ refers to storing and accessing data and applications over the internet rather than physical servers on your site (on-premise). For example, local drives are an on-premise solution for file storage, whereas SharePoint and OneDrive are the cloud solutions in the Microsoft 365 package for file storage. - SaaS, PaaS and Iaas
Whilst these acronyms might look confusing, they are actually quite simple. They represent different cloud service models:- SaaS (Software as a Service)
This is software that you access over the internet without managing any of the underlying infrastructure. There is a variety from cloud-based productivity suites, such as Microsoft 365, to cloud-based accountancy software, such as Xero. - PaaS (Platform as a Service)
This provides a platform for building your own applications using cloud-based tools and resources. - IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Think of this as renting virtual servers, storage and networking in the cloud, giving you maximum control over your environment without the huge upfront cost of purchasing the physical hardware.
- SaaS (Software as a Service)
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
Imagine using one key to unlock all your online business doors.allows users access to multiple applications with a single login, improving both security and convenience. This is because you have one less password to remember to access the site you use SSO This will then reduce your password being reused across many websites and services. We specialise in utilising your Microsoft 365 account to its full potential, including as the base for SSO across your full application stack. - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
This adds an extra layer of security to your login process beyond just a password. It could involve steps such as a code sent to your phone, the use of an authentication app, a biometric scan (such as a fingerprint or facial recognition) or a security question. MFA is crucial for protecting sensitive business data. - Patch Management
Digital security is a real issue, with vulnerabilities in software solutions a huge risk to any business. In an effort to combat this, software developers release ‘to cover these vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit. At CTRL-S, we use specialist software to manage your software updates from developers to ensure your team is patched up at all times. - Malware
Malware is the umbrella term that covers all malicious software that can run on your machine. This includes viruses, ransomware, worms, rootkits etc. - Phishing
Phishing is a type of attack where an attacker uses social engineering to exploit its victim’s trust. This is either by impersonating a genuine communication attempt, such as a promotion from a company or a message from a friend, colleague or family. These messages contain an action, such as opening an attachment or a link that will cause damage. Typically, this will be sent via email, instant messaging or a phone call. Phishing attacks can be sophisticated and are made to look like genuine emails, with over 90% of business cyber-attacks targeted at tricking your team, it’s vital your to spot potential threats.
This article contains a small insight into the labyrinth, but hopefully, it helps you feel more equipped to navigate it. Remember, CTRL-S is here to guide you and not confuse you. Our team of experts have a wealth of experience and knowledge within the digital world and are happy to translate any tech jargon you encounter into plain English. Get in touch today to see the CTRL-S way.
