Information Technology Policies at Educational Institutions

Glossary of Terms Used

 


Introduction

Reasons

Examples of
IT Policies

Glossary

Sources

Acceptable use policy: (also known as "Terms of Service")
A set of statements specifying what a user can and cannot do with, to or by means of the information technology structure and/or resources of an institution.

Computer security:
Techniques for ensuring that data stored on stand-alone computers or on shared network drives cannot be read or compromised by unauthorized persons within or without the organization. Today most security measures involve data encryption and passwords.

Copyright:
The ownership of an intellectual property within the limits prescribed by a particular nation's or international law. The abuse of copyright laws, especially on the Internet, has become a major issue for creators of intellectual property and those responsible for managing IT resources.

E-mail: Common abbreviation for electronic mail, which refers to the transmission of messages over communications networks.

Information Technology: (commonly referred to as "IT")
The broad subject concerned with all aspects of managing and processing information, especially within a large organization or company. Because computers and technology are central to information management, computer departments within companies or universities are often referred to as IT departments. Also referred to as IS (Information Systems) or MIS (Management Information Systems).

Internet: (Most often called The Internet, and not to be confused with "an internet, which is simply two or more computer networks connected to each another.")
A global network connecting millions of computers around the world. By design, the Internet is decentralized. The Internet is not synonymous with the World Wide Web (see below).

Network:
Two or more computers connected together, usually for the purpose of communication or for sharing technology resources such as printers, files or other services.

Network administrator:
An information technology professional who is trained in the management of interconnected information and computer systems. This person is ultimately responsible for making sure that people throughout an institution who are connected to the network can use the available technology to communicate and share resources with each other and the outside world in a safe, efficient and secure manner.

World Wide Web or WWW:
A system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. Not all Internet servers are part of the WWW.

 

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