💻IT: Social Engineering (Definitions)

"Using trickery and charm to extract security information such as passwords from an individual." (Andy Walker, "Absolute Beginner’s Guide To: Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses", 2005)

"A nontechnological method for gaining unauthorized access to a computer system by tricking people into revealing access information." (Jan L Harrington, "Relational Database Design and Implementation"3rd Ed., 2009)

"Collection of tactics used to manipulate people into performing actions or divulging confidential information." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management 8th Ed", 2011)

"Obtaining or attempting to obtain otherwise secure data with fraud and deceit by tricking an individual into revealing confidential information." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"The art of manipulating people into performing desired actions." (Manish Agrawal, "Information Security and IT Risk Management", 2014)

"Gaining unauthorized access by tricking someone into divulging sensitive information." (Adam Gordon, "Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK" 4th Ed., 2015)

"It describes a type of intrusion that relies heavily on human interaction rather than on specific technical methods. It often involves deceitful approaches to obtain, for example, sensitive information, and break into computer systems." (Hamid R Arabnia et al, "Application of Big Data for National Security", 2015)

"The act of manipulating people into divulging information." (Weiss, "Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance, 2nd Ed", 2015)

"The art of obtaining someone's password either by befriending her or tricking her into sharing it." (Faithe Wempen, "Computing Fundamentals: Introduction to Computers", 2015)

"The practice of obtaining confidential information by manipulating users in social communication." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web 2nd Ed.", 2015)

"The process of attempting to trick someone into revealing information (for example, a password) that can be used to attack an enterprise or into performing certain actions, such as downloading and executing files that appear to be benign but are actually malicious." (William Stallings, "Effective Cybersecurity: A Guide to Using Best Practices and Standards", 2018)

"The psychological manipulation of people into unwittingly performing actions favorable to an attacker, such as divulging passwords or other confidential information." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

💻IT: Network (Definitions)

"Mathematically defined structure of a computing system where the operations are performed at specific locations (nodes) and the flow of information is represented by directed arcs." (Guido Deboeck & Teuvo Kohonen (Eds), "Visual Explorations in Finance with Self-Organizing Maps 2nd Ed.", 2000)

"A system of interconnected computing resources (computers, servers, printers, and so on)." (Sharon Allen & Evan Terry, "Beginning Relational Data Modeling 2nd Ed.", 2005)

"A system of connected computers. A local area network (LAN) is contained within a single company, in a single office. A wide area network (WAN) is generally distributed across a geographical area — even globally. The Internet is a very loosely connected network, meaning that it is usable by anyone and everyone." (Gavin Powell, "Beginning Database Design", 2006)

"A system of interconnected devices that provides a means for data to be transmitted from point to point." (Janice M Roehl-Anderson, "IT Best Practices for Financial Managers", 2010)

"1.Visually, a graph of nodes and connections where more than one entry point for each node is allowed. 2.In architecture, a topological arrangement of hardware and connections to allow communication between nodes and access to shared data and software." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"The connection of computer systems (nodes) by communications channels and appropriate software. |" (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"The means by which electronic communications occurs between two or more nodes" (Daniel Linstedt & W H Inmon, "Data Architecture: A Primer for the Data Scientist", 2014)

"Two or more computers connected to share data and resources." (Faithe Wempen, "Computing Fundamentals: Introduction to Computers", 2015)

"People working towards a common purpose or with common interests where there is no requirement for members of the network to have a work relationship with others, and there is no requirement for mutuality as there is with a team." (Catherine Burke et al, "Systems Leadership, 2nd Ed,", 2018)

💻IT: False Negative (Definitions)

"Spam that is mistaken for legitimate email." (Andy Walker, "Absolute Beginner’s Guide To: Security, Spam, Spyware & Viruses", 2005)

"Failing to report an event that should have been reported." (W Roy Schulte & K Chandy, "Event Processing: Designing IT Systems for Agile Companies", 2009)

"A subject who is identified as failing to have experienced the event of interest (e.g., exposure, disease) but has truly experienced the event is termed a false negative." (Herbert I Weisberg, "Bias and Causation: Models and Judgment for Valid Comparisons", 2010)

"An incorrect result, which fails to detect a condition or return a result that is actually present." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"An incorrect result as reported by a detective device, such as an IDS, an antivirus program, or a biometric security device. For example, an antivirus program may not “catch” a virus-infected file, or a fingerprint reader may incorrectly fail the fingerprint of the true user." (Mark Rhodes-Ousley, "Information Security: The Complete Reference, Second Edition, 2nd Ed.", 2013)

"A test result that incorrectly reports that a condition being tested for is absent, when, in fact, it is present (e.g., an intrusion detection subsystem falsely reports no attacks in the attack space of an enterprise system)." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

"A condition when using optimistic locking whereby a row that was not updated since it was selected cannot be updated without first being selected again. Optimistic locking support does not allow a false positive to happen, but a false negative might happen. See also false positive." (Sybase, "Open Server Server-Library/C Reference Manual", 2019)

[false-negative result:] "A test result which fails to identify the presence of a defect that is actually present in the test object." (Software Quality Assurance)

💻IT: Software-as-a-Service [SaaS] (Definitions)

"A distribution method for software through a network interface." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"Applications that are licensed to customers for use as a service on demand." (Gina Abudi & Brandon Toropov, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Best Practices for Small Business", 2011)

"a software deployment model where a provider licenses an application to customers for use over the Internet, without requiring purchase and installation of the licenses." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"The delivery of computer applications over the Internet." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A delivery mechanism in which an application and all of the associated resources are provided to organizations by a vendor, typically through a web browser. Commonly abbreviated as SaaS." (Manish Agrawal, "Information Security and IT Risk Management", 2014)

"Abbreviation for software as a service. It is the capability provided to the consumer to use the provider’s applications running on a cloud infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings." (James R Kalyvas & Michael R Overly, "Big Data: A Businessand Legal Guide", 2015)

"Software as a Service is the delivery of computer applications over the Internet on a per user per month charge basis." (Judith S Hurwitz, "Cognitive Computing and Big Data Analytics", 2015)

"A model of software deployment or service where customers use applications on demand." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"An approach to software licensing and delivery in which software is hosted remotely in the cloud and accessed via an Internet browser." (Jonathan Ferrar et al, "The Power of People: Learn How Successful Organizations Use Workforce Analytics To Improve Business Performance", 2017)

"Cloud application services in which applications are delivered over the Internet by the software provider, typically for a monthly fixed fee. The applications are not installed, nor do they run on the client’s computers; instead, they are accessed by a Web browser. Two important characteristics of SaaS are as follows: Network and Web-based access to commercial software computing services in which the processing is done on a third party server, rather than at each customer’s location. A tenant-based pricing model for hardware, software, administration, and consulting services." (John H Higgins & Bryan L Smith, "10 Steps to a Digital Practice in the Cloud" 2nd Ed., 2017)

"Software as a service refers to the delivery of software-based business tools via the Internet as an alternative to traditional on-premise installations." (Informatica) [source]

"Software-as-a-service (SaaS) is a model of software distribution where customers pay a monthly subscription or licensing fee and a third-party, typically the software vendor, makes the application available over the internet. SaaS is one of the primary commercial applications of cloud computing, along with infrastructure-as-a-service (Iaas) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS)." (Sumo Logic) [source]

💻IT: Platform-as-a-Service [PaaS] (Definitions)

"PaaS is defined as a computing platform delivered as a service." (Martin Oberhofer et al, "The Art of Enterprise Information Architecture", 2010)

"Delivery of an application development platform (hardware and software) from a third party via the Internet without having to buy and manage these resources." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"A cloud service that abstracts the computing services, including the operating software and the development and deployment and management life cycle. It sits on top of Infrastructure as a Service." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A cloud service that abstracts the computing services, including the operating software and the development, deployment, and management life cycle. It sits on top of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)." (Judith S Hurwitz, "Cognitive Computing and Big Data Analytics", 2015)

"Delivery of a computing platform as a service." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"The capability provided to the customer to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure customer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting environment configurations." (James R Kalyvas & Michael R Overly, "Big Data: A Businessand Legal Guide", 2015)

"A cloud-based service that typically provides a platform on which software can be developed and deployed." (H James Harrington & William S Ruggles, "Project Management for Performance Improvement Teams", 2018)

"A complete application platform for multitenant cloud environments that includes development tools, runtime, and administration and management tools and services, PaaS combines an application platform with managed cloud infrastructure services." (Forrester)

"A services providing all the necessary infrastructure for cloud computing solutions." (Analytics Insight)

💻IT: Standardization (Definitions)

"The imposition of standards which, in turn, are fixed ways of doing things that are widely recognized." (Roy Rada &  Heather Holden, "Online Education, Standardization, and Roles", 2009)

"Formulation, publication, and implementation of guidelines, rules, methods, procedures and specifications for common and repeated use, aimed at achieving optimum degree of order or uniformity in given context, discipline, or field; standards are most frequently developed on international level; there exist national standardization bodies cooperating with international bodies; standards can be either legally binding or de facto standards followed by informal convention or voluntary standards (recommendations)." (Lenka Lhotska et al,"Interoperability of Medical Devices and Information Systems", 2013)

"A framework of agreements to which all relevant parties in an industry or organization must adhere to ensure that all processes associated with the creation of a good or performance of a service are performed within set guideline." (Victor A Afonso & Maria de Lurdes Calisto, "Innovation in Experiential Services: Trends and Challenges", 2015)

"The development of uniform specifications for materials, products, processes, practices, measurement, or performance, usually via consultation with stakeholders and sanction by a recognized body, providing for improvements in productivity, interoperability, cooperation, and accountability." (Gregory A Smith, "Assessment in Academic Libraries", 2015)

"A process of developing and implementing technical standards based on consensus among various stakeholders in the field. Standardization can greatly assist with compatibility and interoperability of otherwise disparate software components, where consistent solutions enable mutual gains for all stakeholders." (Krzysztof Krawiec et al, "Metaheuristic Design Patterns: New Perspectives for Larger-Scale Search Architectures", 2018)

"The process through which a standard is developed." (Kai Jakobs, "ICT Standardization", 2018)

"Is a framework of agreements to which professionals in an organization must accept to ensure that all processes associated with the creation of a product or service are performed within set guidelines, achieving uniformity to certain practices or operations within the selected environment. It can be seen as a professional strategy to strengthen professional trust and provide a sense of certainty for professionals or it can be interpreted as a way to lose professionalization and as an adjustment to organizational demands." (Joana V Guerra, "Digital Professionalism: Challenges and Opportunities to Healthcare Professions", 2019)

"The process of making things of the same kind, including products and services, have the same basic features and the same requirements." (Julia Krause, "Through Harmonization of National Technical Regulations to More Sustainability in Engineering Business", 2019)

💻IT: Best Practices (Definitions)

"A preferred and repeatable action or set of actions completed to fulfill a specific requirement or set of requirements during the phases within a product-development process." (Clyde M Creveling, "Six Sigma for Technical Processes: An Overview for R Executives, Technical Leaders, and Engineering Managers", 2006)

"A process or method that is generally recognized to produce superior results. The application of these should result in a positive, measurable change." (Tilak Mitra et al, "SOA Governance", 2008)

"A technique or methodology that, through past experience and research, has proven to reliably lead to a desired result. A commitment to using the best practices in any field (for example, in the domain of IT Architecture) ensures leveraging past experience and all of the knowledge and technology at one’s disposal to ensure success." (Allen Dreibelbis et al, "Enterprise Master Data Management", 2008)

"An effective way of doing something. It can relate to anything from writing program code to IT governance." (Judith Hurwitz et al, "Service Oriented Architecture For Dummies" 2nd Ed., 2009)

"A best practice is commonly understood to be a well-proven, repeatable, and established technique, method, tool, process, or activity that is more certain in delivering the desired results. This indicates that a best practice typically has been used by a large number of people or organizations and/or over a long time, with significant results that are clearly superior over other practices. Knowledge patterns can be used to formalize the description of a best practice." (Jörg Rech et al, "Knowledge Patterns" [in "Encyclopedia of Knowledge Management" 2nd Ed.], 2011)

"A specific method that improves the performance of a team or an organization and can be replicated or adapted elsewhere. Best practices often take the form of guidelines, principles, or ideas that are endorsed by a person or governing body that attests to the viability of the best practice." (Gina Abudi & Brandon Toropov, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Best Practices for Small Business", 2011)

"A technique, method, process, discipline, incentive, or reward generally considered to be more effective at delivering a particular outcome than by other means." (Craig S Mullins, "Database Administration", 2012)

"In general, Best Practices refer to the methods, currently recognized within a given industry or discipline, to achieve a stated goal or objective. In the OPM3 context, Best Practices are achieved when an organization demonstrates consistent organizational project management processes evidenced by successful outcomes." (Project Management Institute, "Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3)" 3rd Ed, 2013)

"An effective way of doing something. It can relate to anything from writing program code to IT governance." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"Those methods, processes, or procedures that have been proven to be the most effective, based on real-world experience and measured results." (Robert F Smallwood, "Information Governance: Concepts, Strategies, and Best Practices", 2014)

"Best practices are defined as commercial or professional procedures that are accepted or prescribed as being effective most of the time. It can also be considered a heuristic, in that is a rule of thumb that generally succeeds but is not guaranteed to always work in every instance." (Michael Winburn & Aaron Wheeler, "Cloud Storage Security", 2015)

"A 'benchmarking' approach where organisations determine who the leader in a particular practice is and then copy that approach. Useful for achieving efficiencies but may diminish differentiation if not used with caution at the strategic level." (Duncan Angwin & Stephen Cummings, "The Strategy Pathfinder" 3rd Ed., 2017)

"A proven activity or process that has been successfully used by multiple enterprises." (ISACA) 

"A superior method or innovative practice that contributes to the improved performance of an organization, usually recognized as best by other peer organizations." (American Society for Quality)

💻IT: Change Management [CM] (Definitions)

"The disciplined use of a defined process to control project modifications, additions, and deletions." (Timothy J  Kloppenborg et al, "Project Leadership", 2003)

"The process allowing changes to applications to occur in a predictable fashion with minimal or no impact on the service. Change management applies to all phases of a lifecycle." (Allan Hirt et al, "Microsoft SQL Server 2000 High Availability", 2004)

"Process of enabling change in an organization as a result of a system implementation." (Janice M Roehl-Anderson, "IT Best Practices for Financial Managers", 2010)

"(1) A structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. (2) Controlled way to effect a change, or a proposed change, to a product or service." (Requirements Engineering Qualifications Board, "Standard glossary of terms used in Requirements Engineering", 2011)

"A structured approach to transition individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state, which includes managing change as part of systems development to avoid user resistance to business and system changes." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed, 2011)

"Involves problem solving in a concerted effort to adapt to changing organizational needs." (Joan C Dessinger, "Fundamentals of Performance Improvement" 3rd Ed, 2012)

"The process of communicating and managing change throughout the organization." (Charles Cooper & Ann Rockley, "Managing Enterprise Content: A Unified Content Strategy, 2nd Ed.", 2012)

"The management of change in operational processes and applications. Change management is critical when IT organizations are managing software infrastructure in conjunction with new development processes. All software elements have to be synchronized so that they work as intended." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A program designed to prevent unintended outages from changes. Personnel submit change requests, and appropriate experts review them to identify unintended consequences. Personnel do not make changes until the change goes through the change management process." (Darril Gibson, "Effective Help Desk Specialist Skills", 2014)

"The organization's effort to control and manage the introduction of new changes to the current operating model to ensure gradual and successful adoption." (Jim Davis & Aiman Zeid, "Business Transformation: A Roadmap for Maximizing Organizational Insights", 2014)

"Methods and best practices to assist an organization and its employees in implementing changes to business processes, culture, and systems." (Robert F Smallwood, "Information Governance: Concepts, Strategies, and Best Practices", 2014)

"The process, tools, and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve a required business outcome." (Jonathan Ferrar et al, "The Power of People: Learn How Successful Organizations Use Workforce Analytics To Improve Business Performance", 2017)

"A business process aimed at deliberately regulating the changing nature of business activities such as projects." (Shon Harris & Fernando Maymi, "CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, 8th Ed", 2018)

"Process responsible for controlling the lifecycle of all changes" (ITIL)

 "The process, tools, coordination, and planning to manage the people side of change through sentiment awareness and change-management skills that together achieve a required state of business agility." (Forrester)

💻IT: Internet of Things [IoT] (Definitions)

"A term used to describe the community or collection of people and items that use the Internet to communicate with other." (Kenneth A Shaw, "Integrated Management of Processes and Information", 2013)

"The embedding of objects with sensors, coupled with the ability of objects to communicate, driving an explosion in the growth of big data." (Brenda L Dietrich et al, "Analytics Across the Enterprise", 2014)

"The Internet of Things entails the aim of all physical or uniquely identifiable objects being connected through wired and wireless networks. In this notion, every object would be virtually represented. Connecting objects in this way offers a whole new universe of possibilities. Real-time analysis of big data streams could enhance productivity and safety of systems (for example, roadways and cars being part of the Internet of Things could help to manage traffic flow). It can also make everyday life more convenient and sustainable (such as connecting all household devices to save electricity)." (Martin Hoegl et al, "Using Thematic Thinking to Achieve Business Success, Growth, and Innovation", 2014)

"IOT refers to a network of machines that have sensors and are interconnected enabling them to collect and exchange data. This interconnection enables devices to be controlled remotely resulting in process efficiencies and lower costs." (Saumya Chaki, "Enterprise Information Management in Practice", 2015)

"An interconnected network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items embedded with sensors that gather and share data." (Jonathan Ferrar et al, "The Power of People: Learn How Successful Organizations Use Workforce Analytics To Improve Business Performance", 2017)

"Ordinary devices that are connected to the Internet at any time, anywhere, via sensors." (Jason Williamson, "Getting a Big Data Job For Dummies", 2015)

"Also referred to as IoT. Term that describes the connectivity of objects to the Internet and the ability for these objects to send and receive data from each other." (Brittany Bullard, "Style and Statistics", 2016)

"computing or 'smart' devices often with ­sensor capability and the ability to collect, share, and transfer data using the Internet." (Daniel J. Power & Ciara Heavin, "Data-Based Decision Making and Digital Transformation", 2018)

"The wide-scale deployment of small, low-power computing devices into everyday devices, such as thermostats, refrigerators, clothing, and even into people themselves to continuously monitor health." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)

"A network of physical objects that have, like cell phones and laptops, internet connectivity enabling automatic communication between them and any other machine connected to the internet without human intervention." (Sue Milton, "Data Privacy vs. Data Security", 2021)

"Integration of various processes such as identifying, sensing, networking, and computation." (Revathi Rajendran et al, "Convergence of AI, ML, and DL for Enabling Smart Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Internet of Things", 2021)

"It is an interdisciplinary field who is associated with the electronics and computer science. Electronics deals with the development of new sensors or hardware for IoT device and computer science deals with the development of software, protocols and cloud based solution to store the data generated form these IoT devices."  (Ajay Sharma, "Smart Agriculture Services Using Deep Learning, Big Data, and IoT", 2021)

"IoT is a network of real-world objects which consists of sensors, software, and other technologies to exchange data with the other systems over the internet." (Hari K Kondaveeti et al, "Deep Learning Applications in Agriculture: The Role of Deep Learning in Smart Agriculture", 2021)

"This refers to a system of inter-connected computing and smart devices, that are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human interaction." (Wissam Abbass et al, "Internet of Things Application for Intelligent Cities: Security Risk Assessment Challenges", 2021)

"describes the network where sensing elements such as sensors, cameras, and devices are increasingly linked together via the internet to connect, communicate and exchange information." (Accenture)

"ordinary devices that are connected to the internet at any time anywhere via sensors." (Analytics Insight)

"Technologies that enable objects and infrastructure to interact with monitoring, analytics, and control systems over internet-style networks." (Forrester)

💻IT: Cloud (Definitions)

"A set of computers, typically maintained in a data center, that can be allocated dynamically and accessed remotely. Unlike a cluster, cloud computers are typically managed by a third party and may host multiple applications from different, unrelated users." (Michael McCool et al, "Structured Parallel Programming", 2012)

"A network that delivers requested virtual resources as a service." (IBM, "Informix Servers 12.1", 2014)

"A secure computing environment accessed via the Internet." (Faithe Wempen, "Computing Fundamentals: Introduction to Computers", 2015)

"Products and services managed by a third-party company and made available through the Internet." (David K Pham, "From Business Strategy to Information Technology Roadmap", 2016)

"It has the ability to offer and to assist any kind of useful information without any limitations for users." (Shigeki Sugiyama. "Human Behavior and Another Kind in Consciousness: Emerging Research and Opportunities", 2019)

"Remote server and distributed computing environment used to store data and provision computing related services as and when needed on a pay-as-you-go basis." (Wissam Abbass et al, "Internet of Things Application for Intelligent Cities: Security Risk Assessment Challenges", 2021)

"The virtual world in which information technology tools and services are available for hire, use and storage via the internet, Wi-Fi and physical attributes ranging from IT components to data storage." (Sue Milton, "Data Privacy vs. Data Security", 2021)

"uses a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than requiring a local server or a personal computer." (Accenture)

💻IT: Efficiency (Definitions)

"A measure of the degree to which a system or component performs designated functions with respect to the resources it consumes to perform those functions." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

"a measure of the cost per time or cost per effort." (Bruce P Douglass, "Real-Time Agility: The Harmony/ESW Method for Real-Time and Embedded Systems Development", 2009)

"A quasimetric used throughout this book to describe how well memory and other resources of the processor and platform are utilized by a concurrent implementation." (Clay Breshears, "The Art of Concurrency", 2009)

"Efficiency measures the return on investment in using additional hardware to operate in parallel." (Michael McCool et al, "Structured Parallel Programming", 2012)

"A set of software characteristics (for example, execution speed, response time) relating to performance of the software and use of resources (for example, memory) under stated conditions (normally increasing load)." (Tilo Linz et al, "Software Testing Foundations" 4th Ed., 2014)

"In relation to performance/operational auditing, the use of financial, human, physical, and information resources such that output is maximized for any given set of resource inputs, or input is minimized for any given quantity and quality of output." (Sally-Anne Pitt, "Internal Audit Quality", 2014)

"Efficiency is the degree to which a resource is utilized for the intended task." (Hari K Kondaveeti et al, "Deep Learning Applications in Agriculture: The Role of Deep Learning in Smart Agriculture", 2021)

"a measure of whether the right amount of resources has been used à to deliver a process, service or activity" (ITIL)

"Resources expended in relation to the accuracy and completeness with which users achieve goals." (NISTIR 8040)

"The capability of the software product to provide appropriate performance, relative to the amount of resources used under stated conditions." (ISO 9126)

💻IT: Blockchain (Definitions)

"A block chain is a perfect place to store value, identities, agreements, property rights, credentials, etc. Once you put something like a Bit coin into it, it will stay there forever. It is decentralized, disinter mediated, cheap, and censorship-resistant." (Kirti R Bhatele et al, "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security", 2019)

"A system made-up of blocks that are used to record transactions in a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency network such as bitcoins." (Murad Al Shibli, "Hybrid Artificially Intelligent Multi-Layer Blockchain and Bitcoin Cryptology", 2020)

"A chain of blocks containing data that is bundled together. This database is shared across a network of computers (so-called distributed ledger network). Each data block links to the previous block in the blockchain through a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data. The blockchain only allows data to be written, and once that data has been accepted by the network, it cannot be changed." (Jurij Urbančič et al, "Expansion of Technology Utilization Through Tourism 4.0 in Slovenia", 2020)

"A system in which a record of transactions made in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency is maintained across several computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network. Amany M Alshawi, "Decentralized Cryptocurrency Security and Financial Implications: The Bitcoin Paradigm", 2020)

"An encrypted ledger that protects transaction data from modification." (David T A Wesley, "Regulating the Internet, Encyclopedia of Criminal Activities and the Deep Web", 2020)

"Blockchain is a decentralized, immutable, secure data repository or digital ledger where the data is chronologically recorded. The initial block named as Genesis. It is a chain of immutable data blocks what has anonymous individuals as nodes who can transact securely using cryptology. Blockchain technology is subset of distributed ledger technology." (Umit Cali & Claudio Lima, "Energy Informatics Using the Distributed Ledger Technology and Advanced Data Analytics", 2020)

"Blockchain is a meta-technology interconnected with other technologies and consists of several architectural layers: a database, a software application, a number of computers connected to each other, peoples’ access to the system and a software ecosystem that enables development. The blockchain runs on the existing stack of Internet protocols, adding an entire new tier to the Internet to ensure economic transactions, both instant digital currency payments and complicated financial contracts." (Aslı Taşbaşı et al, "An Analysis of Risk Transfer and Trust Nexus in International Trade With Reference to Turkish Data", 2020) 

"Is a growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block a timestamp, and transaction data. (Vardan Mkrttchian, "Perspective Tools to Improve Machine Learning Applications for Cyber Security", 2020)

"This is viewed as a mechanism to provide further protection and enhance the security of data by using its properties of immutability, auditability and encryption whilst providing transparency amongst parties who may not know each other, so operating in a trustless environment." (Hamid Jahankhani & Ionuț O Popescu, "Millennials vs. Cyborgs and Blockchain Role in Trust and Privacy", 2020)

"A blockchain is a data structure that represents the record of each accounting move. Each account transaction is signed digitally to protect its authenticity, and no one can intervene in this transaction." (Ebru E Saygili & Tuncay Ercan, "An Overview of International Fintech Instruments Using Innovation Diffusion Theory Adoption Strategies", 2021)

"A system in which a record of transactions made in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are maintained across several computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network." (Silvije Orsag et al, "Finance in the World of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization", 2021)

"It is a decentralized computation and information sharing platform that enables multiple authoritative domains, who don’t trust each other, to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate in a rational decision-making process." (Vinod Kumar & Gotam Singh Lalotra, "Blockchain-Enabled Secure Internet of Things", 2021)

"A concept consisting of the methods, technologies, and tool sets to support a distributed, tamper-evident, and reliable way to ensure transaction integrity, irrefutability, and non-repudiation. Blockchains are write-once, append-only data stores that include validation, consensus, storage, replication, and security for transactions or other records." (Forrester)

[hybrid blockchain:] "A network with a combination of characteristics of public and private blockchains where a blockchain may incorporate select privacy, security and auditability elements required by the implementation." (AICPA)

[private blockchain:] "A restricted access network controlled by an entity or group which is similar to a traditional centralized network." (AICPA)

"A technology that records a list of records, referred to as blocks, that are linked using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data." (AICPA)

[public blockchain:] "An open network where participants can view, read and write data, and no one participant has control (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum)." (AICPA)

💻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)

💻IT: Information Technology Information Library [ITIL] (Definitions)

"A series of documents used to aid the implementation of a framework for IT service management (ITSM). This framework defines how service management is applied in specific organizations. Being a framework, it is completely customizable for an application within any type of business or organization that has a reliance on IT infrastructure." (Tilak Mitra et al, "SOA Governance", 2008)

"A framework and set of standards for IT governance based on best practices." (Judith Hurwitz et al, "Service Oriented Architecture For Dummies" 2nd Ed., 2009)

"A framework of supplier independent best practice management procedures for delivery of high quality IT services." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"a set of guidelines for developing and managing IT operations and services." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed., 2012)

"A framework and set of standards for IT governance based on best practices." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A group of books written and released by the United Kingdom’s Office of Government and Commerce (OGC). ITIL documents best practices organizations can implement to provide consistent IT services. The library includes five books." (Darril Gibson, "Effective Help Desk Specialist Skills", 2014)

"A set of process-oriented best practices and guidance originally developed in the United Kingdom to standardize delivery of informational technology service management." (Robert F Smallwood, "Information Governance: Concepts, Strategies, and Best Practices", 2014)

"Best practices for information technology services management processes developed by the United Kingdom’s Office of Government Commerce." (Adam Gordon, "Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK" 4th Ed., 2015)

"The IT Infrastructure Library; a set of best practice publications for IT service management." (by Brian Johnson & Leon-Paul de Rouw, "Collaborative Business Design", 2017)

"The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) presents pre-defined processes for IT service management. The fourth edition of ITIL depicts two key elements ITIL Service-Value-System (SVS) and a four dimensions model." (Anna Wiedemann et al, "Transforming Disciplined IT Functions: Guidelines for DevOps Integration", 2021)

"set of best practices guidance" (ITIL)

💻IT: Configuration Management [CM] (Definitions)

 "A discipline applying technical and administrative direction and surveillance to: identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of a configuration item, control changes to those characteristics, record and report change processing and implementation status, and verify compliance with specified requirements. (IEEE 610, 1990)

"The process of identifying and defining the configuration items in a system, controlling the release and change of these items throughout the system life cycle, recording and reporting the status of configuration items and change requests, and verifying the completeness and correctness of configuration items." (Richard D Stutzke, "Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes", 2005)

"Process for the definition and management of configurations, allowing change control and change monitoring over a defined period. Configuration management allows access to individual configurations or configuration items (i.e., work products). Differences between individual configurations are readily identifiable. A configuration can be used to form a baseline; see also Baseline." (Lars Dittmann et al, "Automotive SPICE in Practice", 2008)

"A generic term that is often used to describe the whole of the activities concerned with the creation, maintenance, and control of databases and their environments." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"The management of configurations, normally involving holding configuration data in a database so that the data can be managed and changed where necessary." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"Managing the items produced by the project such as requirements documents, designs, and, of course, source code. This may include controlling changes to those items so that changes don’t happen willy-nilly." (Rod Stephens, "Beginning Software Engineering", 2015)

"The detailed recording, management, and updating of the details of an information system." (Weiss, "Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance, 2nd Ed", 2015)

"An operational process aimed at ensuring that systems and controls are configured correctly and are responsive to the current threat and operational environments." (Shon Harris & Fernando Maymi, "CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide" 8th Ed, 2018)

"The process of controlling modifications to a system’s hardware, software, and documentation, which provides sufficient assurance that the system is protected against the introduction of improper modification before, doing, and after system implementation." (William Stallings, "Effective Cybersecurity: A Guide to Using Best Practices and Standards", 2018)

"The process of managing versions of configuration items and their coherent consistent sets, in order to control their modification and release, and to ensure their consistency, completeness, and accuracy." (Bruce P Douglass, "Real-Time Agility: The Harmony/ESW Method for Real-Time and Embedded Systems Development", 2009)

"Process responsible for maintaining information about CIs required to deliver an IT service, including their relationships" (ITIL)