Browse Definitions by Alphabet
SES - SMA
- session ID - A session ID is a unique number that a Web site's server assigns to identify a specific user for the duration of that user's visit (session).
- Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) - Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol used for initiating, maintaining, modifying and terminating real-time sessions that involve video, voice, messaging and other communications applications and services between two or more endpoints on IP networks.
- session key - A session key is an encryption and decryption key that is randomly generated to ensure the security of a communications session between a user and another computer or between two computers.
- session layer - The session layer is Layer 5 of the OSI communications model.
- seven wastes - The seven wastes are categories of unproductive manufacturing practices identified by Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
- SFX (special effects) - SFX, an abbreviation for special effects, is a software product that makes it easy to create certain kinds of hypertext links within a collection of information such as the description of a library collection.
- shadow banning (shadowban) - Shadow banning, in discussion forums and social media, is the practice of making a particular user's posts visible only to that user.
- shadow IT - Shadow IT is hardware or software within an enterprise that is not supported by the organization's central IT department.
- shadow password file - A shadow password file, also known as /etc/shadow, is a system file in Linux that stores encrypted user passwords and is accessible only to the root user, preventing unauthorized users or malicious actors from breaking into the system.
- sharding - Sharding is a type of database partitioning that separates large databases into smaller, faster, more easily managed parts.
- share of wallet (SOW) or wallet share - Share of wallet (SOW) is a marketing metric used to calculate the percentage of a customer's spending for a type of product or service that goes to a particular company.
- Shared Key Authentication (SKA) - Shared Key Authentication (SKA) is a process by which a computer can gain access to a wireless network that uses the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol.
- shared responsibility model - A shared responsibility model is a cloud security framework that dictates the security obligations of a cloud computing provider and its users to ensure accountability.
- shared services - Shared services is the consolidation of business operations that are used by multiple parts of the same organization.
- SharePoint administrator - A SharePoint administrator manages an organization's installation of the Microsoft SharePoint collaboration and content management platform.
- SharePoint farm - A SharePoint farm is a collection of servers that work in concert to provide a set of basic SharePoint services to support a single site.
- SharePoint Online - Microsoft SharePoint Online is a collection of cloud- and web-based technologies that make it easy for organizations to store, share and manage digital information.
- shareware - Shareware is software that is distributed free on a trial basis with the understanding that the user may need or want to pay for it later.
- sharing economy - The sharing economy, also known as collaborative consumption or peer-to-peer-based sharing, is a concept that highlights the ability -- and perhaps the preference -- of individuals to rent or borrow goods rather than buy and own them.
- shell - Shell is a UNIX term for the interactive user interface with an operating system.
- shell script - A shell script is a text file that contains a sequence of commands for a UNIX-based operating system.
- shielded twisted pair (STP) - Shielded twisted pair (STP) is a special kind of copper telephone and local area network (LAN) wiring used in some business installations.
- shift register - A shift register is a digital memory circuit found in calculators, computers, and data-processing systems.
- shift-left testing - Shift-left testing is a software testing approach in which the code is tested in the earlier stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
- shift-right testing - Shift-right testing is a method of continuously testing software while it is in a post-production environment.
- shingled magnetic recording (SMR) - Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a technique for writing data to disk drives in partially overlapping tracks to boost areal density and overall capacity.
- Shodan - Shodan (Sentient Hyper-Optimised Data Access Network) is a search engine designed to map and gather information about internet-connected devices and systems.
- shoppable video - A shoppable video is a way for consumers to discover products and make a purchase through links within the video.
- Short Message Service (SMS) - SMS (Short Message Service), commonly referred to as 'text messaging,' is a service for sending short messages of up to 160 characters (224 character limit if using a 5-bit mode) to mobile devices, including cellular phones, smartphones and tablets.
- short message service center (SMSC) - The short message service center (SMSC) is the portion of a mobile phone network that handles text message operations.
- should-cost analysis (should-cost review) - A should-cost analysis, also called a should-cost review, is a procurement strategy for cost optimization in which the customer reverse engineers the cost of producing a finished product or service and uses that information to negotiate a contract.
- shoulder surfing - Shoulder surfing is using direct observation techniques, such as looking over someone's shoulder, to get information.
- side-channel attack - A side-channel attack is a security exploit that aims to gather information from or influence the program execution of a system by measuring or exploiting indirect effects of the system or its hardware -- rather than targeting the program or its code directly.
- sidecar proxy - A sidecar proxy is an application design pattern which abstracts certain features, such as inter-service communications, monitoring and security, away from the main architecture to ease the tracking and maintenance of an application.
- sideloading - Sideloading is the installation of an application on a mobile device without using the device's official application distribution method.
- siemens (mho) - (Siemens AG is a German company engaged in electrical engineering and electronics.
- SIGINT (signals intelligence) - SIGINT (signals intelligence) is information gained by the collection and analysis of the electronic signals and communications of a given target.
- signal-to-noise ratio (S/N or SNR) - In analog and digital communications, a signal-to-noise ratio, often written S/N or SNR, is a measure of the strength of the desired signal relative to background noise (undesired signal).
- Signaling System 7 (SS7) - Signaling System 7 (SS7) is an international telecommunication protocol standard that defines how the network elements in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) exchange information and control signals.
- signature file - A signature file is a short text file you create for use as a standard appendage at the end of your e-mail notes or Usenet messages.
- SIM card - A SIM card, also known as a subscriber identity module, is a smart card that stores identification information that pinpoints a smartphone to a specific mobile network.
- SIM swap attack (SIM intercept attack) - A SIM Swap Attack, also known as a SIM Intercept Attack, is a form of identity theft in which an attacker convinces a cell phone carrier into switching a victim’s phone number to a new device in order to gain access to bank accounts, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) - Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an application-layer protocol for monitoring and managing network devices on a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
- simplex - Simplex is a communications mode in which only one signal is transmitted, and it always goes in the same direction.
- simulator sickness - Simulator sickness is a form of motion sickness related to interacting with a simulated environment.
- single pane of glass - A single pane of glass is a management console that presents data from multiple sources in a unified display.
- single point of failure (SPOF) - A single point of failure (SPOF) is a potential risk posed by a flaw in the design, implementation or configuration of a circuit or system.
- Single Responsibility Principle (SRP) - Single Responsibility Principle (SRP) is the concept that any single object in object-oriented programing (OOP) should be made for one specific function.
- single sign-on (SSO) - Single sign-on (SSO) is a session and user authentication service that permits a user to use one set of login credentials -- for example, a name and password -- to access multiple applications.
- single source of truth (SSOT) - Single source of truth (SSOT) is a concept that an organization can apply as part of its information architecture to ensure that everyone in the organization uses the same data when making business decisions.
- single-factor authentication (SFA) - Single-factor authentication (SFA) is a process for securing access to a given system, such as a network or website, that identifies the party requesting access through only one category of credentials.
- single-level cell (SLC) flash - Single-level cell (SLC) flash is a type of solid-state storage that stores one bit of data per cell of flash media.
- single-page application (SPA) - A single-page application (SPA) is a Web app that is presented to the user through a single HTML page to more closely replicate a desktop application.
- single-tenancy - Single-tenancy is an architecture in which a single instance of a software application and supporting infrastructure serves one customer.
- single-user MIMO - Single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) is a multi-transmitter and receiver technology that lets a wireless access point send multiple, simultaneous data streams to one compatible endpoint at a time.
- singularity - In technology, the singularity describes a hypothetical future where technology growth is out of control and irreversible.
- SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol trunking) - Session Initiation Protocol trunking is a service offered by a communications service provider that uses the protocol to provision voice over IP connectivity between an on-premises phone system and the public switched telephone network.
- SIPOC (suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers) diagram - A SIPOC (suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, customers) diagram is a visual tool for documenting a business process from beginning to end prior to implementation.
- Siri - Siri is Apple's virtual assistant for iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS devices that uses voice recognition and is powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
- site reliability engineer - Site reliability engineer is a job title for a specialist who works with software developers to ensure that an organization's computing systems are scalable, stable and predictable.
- site reliability engineering (SRE) - Site reliability engineering (SRE) is the application of scripting and automation to IT operations tasks such as maintenance and support.
- six degrees of separation - Six degrees of separation is the theory that any person on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries.
- Six Sigma - Six Sigma is a business methodology for quality improvement that measures how many defects there are in a current process and seeks to systematically eliminate them.
- skeuomorphism - Skeuomorphism is when something is designed with extra ornamentation to make it resemble another object so it is more familiar.
- skill-based learning - Skill-based learning develops students through hands-on practice and real-world application.
- skills taxonomy - A skills taxonomy is a classification system for all the skills an employee at a business may have.
- Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) - Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) is a Cisco proprietary standard for terminal control for use with voice over IP (VoIP).
- SkunkWorks project (Skunk Works) - A skunk works is a small group of people who work on a project that needs to be completed quickly.
- Slack software - Slack software is a cloud-based collaboration software suite.
- slack space (file slack space) - Slack space, or file slack space, is the leftover storage space on a computer's hard disk drive when a file does not need all the space it has been allocated by the operating system.
- slacktivism - Slacktivism is taking action online in ways that involve little personal effort and have little immediate effect; the word is a portmanteau of slacker and activism.
- slice and dice - To slice and dice is to break a body of information down into smaller parts or to examine it from different viewpoints so that you can understand it better.
- sliding window (windowing) - The sliding window (windowing) technique is used by Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to manage the flow of packets between two computers or network hosts.
- slot (or expansion slot) - In computers, a slot, or expansion slot, is an engineered technique for adding capability to a computer in the form of connection pinholes (typically, in the range of 16 to 64 closely-spaced holes) and a place to fit an expansion card containing the circuitry that provides some specialized capability, such as video acceleration, sound, or disk drive control.
- slowness movement - The slowness movement is a grassroots reaction to the hectic pace, overwork, and lack of leisure typical of modern life.
- SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud) - SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud) is the concept that the convergence of four technologies is currently driving business innovation.
- small cell - A small cell is an umbrella term used to describe a miniature radio access point or wireless network base station with a low radio frequency power output, footprint and range.
- Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - A Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) is a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
- small to medium enterprise (SME) - SME (small-to-medium enterprise) is a convenient term for segmenting businesses and other organizations that are somewhere between the "small office-home office" (SOHO) size and the larger enterprise.
- SMART (SMART goals) - SMART is a best practice framework for setting goals.
- smart bulb (smart light bulb) - A smart bulb is a networked LED light bulb that has additional features to enable automation, presence-sensing capabilities and customization.
- smart card - A smart card is a physical card that has an embedded integrated chip that acts as a security token.
- smart city - A smart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare.
- smart contract - A smart contract is a self-executing computer program that automatically executes the terms of a contract without the involvement of third parties.
- smart data - Smart data is digital information that is formatted so it can be acted upon at the collection point before being sent to a downstream analytics platform for further data consolidation and analytics.
- smart factory - A smart factory is a highly digitized and connected production facility that relies on smart manufacturing.
- smart farming - Smart farming is a management concept focused on providing the agricultural industry with the infrastructure to leverage advanced technology – including big data, the cloud and the internet of things (IoT) – for tracking, monitoring, automating and analyzing operations.
- smart home - A smart home is a residence that uses internet-connected devices to enable the remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems, such as lighting and heating.
- smart home app (home automation app) - A smart home app, sometimes referred to as a home automation app or a smart home automation app, is an application used to remotely control and manage connected non-computing devices in the home, typically from a smartphone or tablet.
- smart home hub (home automation hub) - A smart home hub is hardware or software that connects devices on a home automation network and controls communications among them.
- smart home kit (home automation kit) - A smart home kit, sometimes called a home automation kit or an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, is a product that includes all the hardware and software required to connect, control and manage compatible smart devices for home automation.
- smart lock - A smart lock is an electronic and mechanical locking device that opens wirelessly with an authorized users’ authentication.
- smart machines - A smart machine is a device embedded with machine-to-machine (M2M) and/or cognitive computing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning or deep learning, all of which it uses to reason, problem-solve, make decisions and even, ultimately, take action.
- smart manufacturing (SM) - Smart manufacturing (SM) is a technology-driven approach that utilizes Internet-connected machinery to monitor the production process.
- smart robot - A smart robot is an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can learn from its environment and its experience and build on its capabilities based on that knowledge.
- smart sensor - A smart sensor is a device that takes input from the physical environment and uses built-in compute resources to perform predefined functions upon detection of specific input and then processes data before passing it on.
- smart streetlight - A smart streetlight is a public lighting fixture that incorporates technology, such as cameras, light-sensing photocells and other sensors, to introduce real-time monitoring functionalities.
- smart TV - A smart TV is a digital television that is, essentially, an Internet-connected, storage-aware computer specialized for entertainment.
- smart warehouse - A smart warehouse is a large building in which raw materials and manufactured goods are stored that uses machines and computers to complete common warehouse operations previously performed by humans.
- smartphone - A smartphone is a cellular telephone with an integrated computer and other features not originally associated with telephones, such as an operating system (OS), web browsing and the ability to run software applications.