IT Glossary

Published: | Updated: | by Julian Knight Reading time ~3 min.
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Here are some of the terms, abbreviations and meanings that I come across regularly in the IT world. Some of these have specific meanings depending on the scope of use and I’ve listed the scope as well. For example, some terms come from the NHS world, others from ITIL, banking or elsewhere.
NameAbbrMeaningScope
Accredited SystemMeans a third party product which has been accredited by NHS CFH for connection to the National Spine.NHS
Accredited System IdentifierASID

Means the unique identifier, in SDS, of an Accredited System.

NHS
Aggregate DataMeans data combined from several records containing totals rather than data attributable to an individual. Data are provided through analyses, statistical measures (e.g. mean, standard deviations), reports and summary tables. Aggregate data can be compiled from a number of sources including anonymised data from record level data.IT
AuthenticationMeans the process of determining whether someone or something is, in fact, who or what it is declared to be.
Availability

Means the extent to which Component Systems are available during Service Hours.

ITIL
Business Continuity PlanMeans a documented set of procedures and information intended to deliver continuity of critical activities in the event of a disruption.ITIL
Business Process ManualMeans the document or documents that collectively describe the Business Processes.ITIL
Capacity Component ThresholdsMeans the maximum prevailing agreed capacity of a Capacity Component, as agreed at the Effective Date, and potentially varied following the call-off of a Capacity Change Additional Service.ITIL
Capacity ManagementMeans the Capacity Management discipline as described in ITIL. Capacity Management is responsible for ensuring that the capacity of the Contractor System matches the evolving demands of the business in the most cost-effective and timely manner. The process encompasses:

- the monitoring of performance and throughput of the Services and the supporting Infrastructure components;
- undertaking tuning activities to make the most efficient use of existing resources;
- understanding the demands currently being made for IT resources and producing forecasts for future requirements
- influencing the demand for resource, perhaps in conjunction with Financial Management
- the production of a Capacity Plan.
ITIL
Certification AuthorityCAAn entity that issues digital certificates for use by other parties. It is an example of a trusted third party. CAs are characteristic of many public key infrastructure (PKI) schemes.IT
ChangeMeans any addition, modification or removal of anything that could have an effect on the Services or components thereof. To include, but not be limited to :
- Services
- Configuration Items
- Processes
- Documentation
ITIL
Change Advisory BoardCABMeans a board with the role of advising the Change Manager in the assessment, prioritisation, scheduling, reviewing and acceptance of Changes.NHS
Change Control NoteCCNA document formally requesting a change from a contractorNHS
Change ManagementMeans a process of controlling the lifecycle of all Changes to the infrastructure or any aspect of services, enabling approved Changes to be made with minimum disruption to the Service.ITIL
Clinical CodeMeans a value used to represent a particular clinical condition, treatment device or other clinical concept within a specific NHS Terminology.NHS
Clinical Terms Version 3Means a type of NHS Terminology that is used to describe particular clinical condition, treatment or device.NHS
Common Assurance ProcessMeans the assurance regime operated by NHS CFH. The Authority will provide details upon request.NHS
ComplaintMeans an expression of dissatisfaction with the Services.ITIL
Component SystemsMeans an application, toolset or other component used to deliver the ServicesITIL
Configuration ItemMeans a component of the Contractor SystemsITIL
Configuration ManagementMeans the management of the Configuration Items of the Services, in accordance with ITIL best practice.ITIL
Configuration Management DatabaseMeans a database that contains all relevant details of each Configuration Item and details of the important relationships between Configuration Items.ITIL
Configuration Management PlansMeans a document setting out the organisation and procedures for the Configuration Management of the Services.ITIL
Configuration ManagerMeans the Contractor Representative that is responsible for the Configuration Management of the Services.ITIL
ContractorAn external organisation providing goods or servicesITIL

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