Tech Jargon: Glossary of IT & Cybersecurity Acronyms

In the world of Managed IT and Cybersecurity, acronyms and technical terms are everywhere—and they can quickly become confusing. A baseline understanding of the language behind the services and tools that protect your business allows you to make more informed decisions about your IT and security strategy. Check out the IT and Cyber Glossary below to find the definitions of the most common acronyms in our industry.

Managed IT Services Acronyms

Infrastructure & Networking

• LAN – Local Area Network: A network connecting devices within a limited area (like an office).
• WAN – Wide Area Network: A network that spans a large geographic area, often used to connect multiple office locations.
• VPN – Virtual Private Network: Creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet between a device and a network.
• DNS – Domain Name System: Translates domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses.
• DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol: Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.
• SD-WAN – Software-Defined Wide Area Network: A virtual WAN architecture that improves network performance and flexibility.

Hardware & Device Management

• RMM – Remote Monitoring and Management: Software used by IT providers to manage and monitor client devices remotely.
• MDM – Mobile Device Management: Tools to manage smartphones, tablets, and laptops used in a business environment.
• BYOD – Bring Your Own Device: A policy allowing employees to use personal devices for work purposes.

Cloud & Virtualization

• IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service: Renting virtualized hardware (servers, storage) from a cloud provider.
• SaaS – Software as a Service: Cloud-based software accessed via a web browser (like Microsoft 365 or Salesforce).
• PaaS – Platform as a Service: A cloud environment for building, testing, and deploying applications.
• VDI – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure: Technology that hosts desktop environments on a central server.

Managed Cybersecurity Services Acronyms

Security Tools & Practices

• EDR – Endpoint Detection and Response: Advanced threat detection and response for devices like laptops or servers.
• MDR – Managed Detection and Response: Outsourced service that detects and responds to cybersecurity threats 24/7.
• XDR – Extended Detection and Response: Integrates multiple security tools into a unified threat detection and response system.
• SIEM – Security Information and Event Management: Centralized system that collects and analyzes security data in real time.
• SOC – Security Operations Center: A team or facility dedicated to monitoring and improving an organization’s security posture.

Access & Identity

• MFA – Multi-Factor Authentication: Requires users to verify identity using two or more methods (like a password + phone).
• SSO – Single Sign-On: Lets users access multiple systems with one set of login credentials.
• IAM – Identity and Access Management: Framework for managing digital identities and access to systems.

Risk & Compliance

• GRC – Governance, Risk, and Compliance: The discipline of aligning IT with business goals while managing risk and meeting regulatory requirements.
• NIST – National Institute of Standards and Technology: U.S. agency that provides cybersecurity frameworks and guidelines.
• CMMC – Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification: A security standard for Department of Defense contractors.
• HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: U.S. law that sets data privacy and security rules for healthcare.
• PCI-DSS – Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard: Security standards for organizations that handle credit card data.

Operational & Support Acronyms

• MSP – Managed Service Provider: A company that remotely manages a client’s IT environment.
• MSL – Managed Security Layer: Layered approach to delivering security services.
• SLA – Service Level Agreement: A formal contract defining the services and performance standards expected from a provider.
• ITIL – Information Technology Infrastructure Library: Best practices for delivering IT services.
• BaaS – Backup as a Service: Cloud-based backup solution managed by a third party.
• DRaaS – Disaster Recovery as a Service: A cloud solution that ensures systems and data can be restored after a disaster.

Microsoft 365 & Productivity Acronyms

• M365 – Microsoft 365: A suite of productivity tools including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
• AAD – Azure Active Directory: Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management service.
• ATP – Advanced Threat Protection: Microsoft’s security solution for email and collaboration tools.
• DLP – Data Loss Prevention: Tools that prevent sensitive data from being shared or leaked.

Keeping up with IT and cybersecurity terminology doesn’t have to be a full-time job. This glossary is designed to be a practical tool you can return to whenever you need a quick refresher. At Harbor IT, we believe that informed clients make better decisions—and we’re here to help translate complexity into confidence. If you have questions about any of these terms or want to understand how they apply to your business, don’t hesitate to reach out.