IT: Virtualization (Definitions)

"Creation of a virtual, as opposed to a real, instance of an entity, such as an operating system, server, storage, or network." (David G Hill, "Data Protection: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance", 2009)

"The process of partitioning a computer so that multiple operating system instances can run at the same time on a single physical computer." (John Goodson & Robert A Steward, "The Data Access Handbook", 2009)

"A concept that separates business applications and data from hardware resources, allowing companies to pool hardware resources, rather than dedicate servers to application and assign those resources to applications as needed." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed, 2011)

"A technique that creates logical representations of computing resources that are independent of the underlying physical computing resources." (Carlos Coronel et al, "Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management" 9th Ed., 2011)

"A method for managing hardware assets used at the same time by different users or processes, or both, that makes the part assigned to each user or process appear to act as if it was running on a separate piece of equipment." (Kenneth A Shaw, "Integrated Management of Processes and Information", 2013)

"Virtual memory is the use of a disk to store active areas of memory to make the available memory appear larger. In a virtual environment, one computer runs software that allows it to emulate another machine. This kind of emulation is commonly known as virtualization." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A technique common in computing, consisting in the creation of virtual (rather than actual) instance of any element, so it can be managed and used independently. Virtualization has been one of the key tools for resource sharing and software development, and now it is beginning to be applied to the network disciplines." (Diego R López & Pedro A. Aranda, "Network Functions Virtualization: Going beyond the Carrier Cloud", 2015)

"Creation of a simulated environment (hardware platform, operating system, storage, etc.) that allows for central control and scalability." (Adam Gordon, "Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK 4th Ed.", 2015)

"The creation of a virtual version of actual services, applications, or resources." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"The process of creating a virtual version of a resource, such as an operating system, hardware platform, or storage device." (Andrew Pham et al, "From Business Strategy to Information Technology Roadmap", 2016)

"A base component of the cloud that consists of software that emulates physical infrastructure." (Richard Ehrhardt, "Cloud Build Methodology", 2017)

"The process of presenting an abstraction of hardware resources to give the appearance of dedicated access and control to hardware resources, while, in reality, those resources are being shared." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

Data Science: Artificial Intelligence (Definitions)

"A computer would deserve to be called intelligent if it could deceive a human into believing that it was human." (Alan Turing, "Computing Machinery and Intelligence", 1950)

"Artificial intelligence is the science of making machines do things that would require intelligence if done by men." (Marvin Minsky, 1968)

"Artificial intelligence comprises methods, tools, and systems for solving problems that normally require the intelligence of humans. The term intelligence is always defined as the ability to learn effectively, to react adaptively, to make proper decisions, to communicate in language or images in a sophisticated way, and to understand." (Nikola K Kasabov, "Foundations of Neural Networks, Fuzzy Systems, and Knowledge Engineering", 1996) 

"AI views the mind as a type of logical symbol processor that works with strings of text or symbols much as a computer works with strings of Os and Is. In practice, AI means expert systems or decision support systems." (Guido Deboeck & Teuvo Kohonen (Eds), "Visual Explorations in Finance with Self-Organizing Maps" 2nd Ed., 2000)

"Software that performs a function previously ascribed only to human beings, such as natural language processing." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"The branch of computer science that is concerned with making computers behave and 'think' like humans." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed., 2011)

"A field of computer science focused on the development of intelligent-acting agents. Often guided by the theory of how humans solve problems. Has a reputation for overpromising. Wryly definable as all computational problems not yet solved." (Gary Miner et al, "Practical Text Mining and Statistical Analysis for Non-structured Text Data Applications", 2012)

"Artificial intelligence is the mimicking of human thought and cognitive processes to solve complex problems automatically. AI uses techniques for writing computer code to represent and manipulate knowledge." (Radian Belu, "Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Applications", 2013)

"It is the investigation exploring whether intelligence can be replicated in machines, to perform tasks that humans can successfully carry out." (Hamid R Arabnia et al, "Application of Big Data for National Security", 2015)

"The study of computer systems that model and apply the intelligence of the human mind" (Nell Dale & John Lewis, "Computer Science Illuminated" 6th Ed., 2015)

"Machines that are designed to evaluate and respond to situations in an appropriate manner. Most artificial intelligence machines are computer based and many of them have achieved remarkable levels of performance in specific areas." (K  N Krishnaswamy et al, "Management Research Methodology: Integration of Principles, Methods and Techniques", 2016)

"A discipline with the goal to develop technology that solves complex problems with skill and creativity that rivals that of the human brain." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

"A machine’s ability to make decisions and perform tasks that simulate human intelligence and behavior." (Kirti R Bhatele et al, "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security", 2019)

"An attempt to recreate a living intellect, especially human intelligence, in a computer environment." (Tolga Ensari et al, "Overview of Machine Learning Approaches for Wireless Communication", 2019)

"The theory governing the development of computer systems that are able to perform tasks which normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages." (Nil Goksel & Aras Bozkurt, "Artificial Intelligence in Education: Current Insights and Future Perspectives", 2019)

"Algorithms which make machines learn from experience, adjust to new inputs and perform human-like tasks." (Lejla Banjanović-Mehmedović & Fahrudin Mehmedović, "Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Driven by Artificial Intelligence in Industry 4.0", 2020)

"It is the method of mimicking the human intelligence by the machines." (Shouvik Chakraborty & Kalyani Mali, "An Overview of Biomedical Image Analysis From the Deep Learning Perspective", 2020)

"AI is a simulation of human intelligence through the progress of intelligent machines that think and work like humans carrying out such human activities as speech recognition, problem-solving, learning, and planning." (Hari K Kondaveeti et al, "Deep Learning Applications in Agriculture: The Role of Deep Learning in Smart Agriculture", 2021)

"Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of machines to have cognitive capabilities similar to humans using advanced algorithms and quality data." (Vijayaraghavan Varadharajan & Akanksha Rajendra Singh, "Building Intelligent Cities: Concepts, Principles, and Technologies", 2021)

"Domain of science that deals with the development of computer systems to perform actions like speech-recognition, decision-making, understanding human’s natural language, etc., like humans." (Shatakshi Singhet al, "A Survey on Intelligence Tools for Data Analytics", 2021)

"It is a set of software and hardware systems with many capabilities such as behaving human-like or numerical logic, motion, speech, and sound perception. In other words, AI makes machines think and percept like humans." (Mehmet A Cifci, "Optimizing WSNs for CPS Using Machine Learning Techniques", 2021)

"Machines that work and react like humans using computer programs known as algorithms Algorithms must remain current for AI to work properly, so they rely on machine learning to update them with changes in the worldwide economy and society." (Sue Milton, "Data Privacy vs. Data Security", Global Business Leadership Development for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, 2021)

"Science of simulating intelligence in machines and program them to mimic human actions." (Revathi Rajendran et al, "Convergence of AI, ML, and DL for Enabling Smart Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Internet of Things", 2021)

"The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages." (Jan Bosch et al, "Engineering AI Systems: A Research Agenda", Artificial Intelligence Paradigms for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems, 2021)

"AI is any set of concepts, applications or technologies that allow a computer to perform tasks that mimic human behavior." (RapidMiner) [source]

"Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition and machine vision." (Techtarget) [source]

"A discipline involving research and development of machines that are aware of their surroundings. Most work in A.I. centers on using machine awareness to solve problems or accomplish some task." (KDnuggets)

"An area of computer science which refers to the creation of intelligent machines that can react to scenarios and make decisions as a human would." (Board International)

"A set of sciences, theories and techniques whose purpose is to reproduce by a machine the cognitive abilities of a human being." (Council of Europe) 

"The theory and capabilities that strive to mimic human intelligence through experience and learning." (Forrester)

"Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the broad term used to describe the set of technologies that enable machines to sense, comprehend, act and learn." (Accenture)

"Artificial intelligence (AI) applies advanced analysis and logic-based techniques, including machine learning, to interpret events, support and automate decisions, and take actions." (Gartner)

Strategic Management: Disaster Recovery (Definitions)

"The ability of an organization to respond to a disaster or an interruption in services by implementing a disaster recovery plan to stabilize and restore the organization’s critical functions." (Disaster Recovery Journal & DRI, 2007)

"A process that is required after a major business disruption caused by the occurrence of a disaster." (Allen Dreibelbis et al, "Enterprise Master Data Management", 2008)

"The process of regaining access to data, hardware, or software after a computer based human or natural disaster." (Dwayne Stevens & David T Green, "A Strategy for Enterprise VoIP Security", 2009)

"This is a process that describes how to recover the IT environment after a disaster such as a fire destroying the IT building." (Martin Oberhofer et al, "The Art of Enterprise Information Architecture", 2010)

"the ability of an infrastructure to resume operations after a disaster. Disaster Recovery differentiates from Business Continuity Planning in that Disaster Recovery is primarily associated with resources and facilities, while BCP is primarily associated with processes." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"The coordinated activity to enable the recovery of IT (and other) systems due to a disruption." (Sally-Anne Pitt, "Internal Audit Quality", 2014)

"The planning, preparation, and testing set of activities used to help a business plan for and recover from any major business interruption and to resume normal business operations." (Robert F Smallwood, "Information Governance: Concepts, Strategies, and Best Practices", 2014)

"the process adopted by the IT organization in order to bring systems back up and running." (Manish Agrawal, "Information Security and IT Risk Management", 2014)

"An area of security planning that aims to protect an organization from the effects of significant negative events. DR allows an organization to maintain or quickly resume mission-critical functions following a disaster." (William Stallings, "Effective Cybersecurity: A Guide to Using Best Practices and Standards", 2018)

"The planning for and/or the implementation of a strategy to respond to such failures as a total infrastructure loss, or the failure of computers (CommServe server, MediaAgent, client, or application), networks, storage hardware, or media. A disaster recovery strategy typically involves the creation and maintenance of a secure disaster recovery site, and the day-to-day tasks of running regular disaster recovery backups." (CommVault, "Documentation 11.20", 2018)

"Is an organization's method of regaining access and functionality to its IT infrastructure, to continue the delivery of services that support business processes, after a disruptive incident." (Nelson Russo & Leonilde Reis, "Methodological Approach to Systematization of Business Continuity in Organizations", 2021)

IT: Redundant Array of Independent Disks/RAID (Definitions)

"Installation of several disk drives to a system. Some drives contain mirrored information so data is not lost. RAID disk drives can be replaced quickly in cases of disk failure. This technology is good for Web and database servers, so that no information is lost and the information is always available." (Patrick Dalton, "Microsoft SQL Server Black Book", 1997)

"Sometimes referred to as redundant array of inexpensive disks, a system that uses multiple disk drives (an array) to provide performance and reliability. There are six levels describing RAID arrays, 0 through 5. Each level uses a different algorithm to implement fault tolerance." (Microsoft Corporation, "SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit", 1999)

"A disk system that comprises multiple disk drives (an array) to provide higher performance, reliability, storage capacity, and lower cost. Fault-tolerant arrays are categorized in six RAID levels: 0 through 5. Each level uses a different algorithm to implement fault tolerance." (Thomas Moore, "EXAM CRAM™ 2: Designing and Implementing Databases with SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition", 2005)

"A specific fault-tolerant disk array system design strategy that takes into account issues of cost benefit, reliability, and performance. It can be implemented at a hardware or a software level; each provides a different profile of cost, reliability, and performance. Depending on the person defining RAID, the word independent may be substituted with inexpensive." (Allan Hirt et al, "Microsoft SQL Server 2000 High Availability", 2004)

"A bunch of small, cheap disks. A RAID array is a group of disks used together as a single unit logical disk. RAID arrays can help with storage capacity, recoverability and performance, using what are called mirroring and striping. Mirroring creates duplicate copies of all physical data. Striping breaks data into many small pieces, where those small pieces can be accessed in parallel." (Gavin Powell, "Beginning Database Design", 2006)

"A schema for using groups of disks to increase performance, protect data, or both." (Tom Petrocelli, "Data Protection and Information Lifecycle Management", 2005)

"This is a grouping, or array, of hard disks that appear as a single, logical drive to the operating system." (Joseph L Jorden & Dandy Weyn, "MCTS Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Implementation and Maintenance Study Guide - Exam 70-431", 2006)

"RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. RAID is a collection of disks that operates as a single disk." (S. Sumathi & S. Esakkirajan, "Fundamentals of Relational Database Management Systems", 2007)

"A RAID array uses multiple physical disks to simulate one logical, larger disk, often with protection from disk failure. (The I can also stand for Independent, and the D can also stand for Drives.) " (Victor Isakov et al, "MCITP Administrator: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Optimization and Maintenance (70-444) Study Guide", 2007)

"Using more disks than is necessary for the actual data itself, as a buffer against failure of one (or possibly more) disks." (David G Hill, "Data Protection: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance", 2009)

"A category of disk drives that employ two or more drives in combination for fault tolerance and performance." (Martin Oberhofer et al, "The Art of Enterprise Information Architecture", 2010)

"A system of disk storage where data is distributed across several drives for faster access and improved fault tolerance." (Paulraj Ponniah, "Data Warehousing Fundamentals for IT Professionals", 2010)

"A technology for configuring a logical data storage device across multiple physical devices to improve performance, availability or both. The primary goal is fault tolerance as in most configurations data can be recovered after a device failure and in some cases, without interruption." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"An acronym that means Redundant Array of Independent Disks. RAID is used to provide balance between performance and fault tolerance. RAID systems use multiple disks to create virtual disks (storage volumes) formed by several individual disks. RAID systems provide performance improvement and fault tolerance." (Carlos Coronel et al, "Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management" 9th Ed., 2011)

"A category of disk drives that employ two or more drives in combination to deliver fault tolerance and improved performance." (Craig S Mullins, "Database Administration", 2012)

"A multi-disk storage system that optimizes performance, data safety, or both, depending on the type." (Faithe Wempen, "Computing Fundamentals: Introduction to Computers", 2015)