Frequently Asked Questions: Common Acronyms for IT Infrastructure Solutions

Navigating IT infrastructure solutions often involves deciphering a wide range of acronyms. This FAQ provides clear explanations of the most frequently encountered terms, ensuring both technical professionals and business stakeholders can communicate effectively and make informed decisions.  

What does “IaaS” stand for?  

IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. It refers to a cloud computing model in which virtualised computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking are delivered over the internet. IaaS enables organisations to scale their infrastructure on demand without having to invest in physical hardware. 

Example: ”We are migrating our legacy applications to an IaaS provider to reduce capital expenditure and improve scalability.”
Sector/Category: Cloud Computing / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “PaaS” stand for?  

PaaS stands for Platform as a Service. It is a cloud service model that provides a platform for customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexities of building and maintaining the underlying infrastructure. 

Example: ”Our developers use a PaaS environment to accelerate application deployment and streamline updates.”
Sector/Category: Cloud Computing / Application Development 

What does “SaaS” stand for?  

SaaS stands for Software as a Service. This model provides software applications via the internet, usually on a subscription basis, eliminating the necessity for local installation and maintenance. 

Example: ”The finance team adopted a SaaS solution for expense management to ensure automatic updates and remote accessibility.”
Sector/Category: Cloud Computing / Business Applications 

What does “VM” stand for?  

VM stands for Virtual Machine. It is a software-based emulation of a physical computer, allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single hardware host, thereby improving resource utilisation and isolation.  

Example: ”We deployed several VMs on our server cluster to support different testing environments simultaneously.”
Sector/Category: Virtualisation / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “DaaS” stand for?

DaaS stands for Desktop as a Service. It refers to a cloud computing service where virtual desktop environments are delivered to end-users over the internet. DaaS enables users to access their desktop operating system, applications, and data from any device with an internet connection, providing a flexible and scalable solution for businesses.

Example: ”DaaS solutions allow employees to securely access their work desktops and applications from anywhere, using any device with an internet connection.”
Sector/Category: Cloud Computing / Virtualisation / End-User Computing

What does “SAN” stand for?  

SAN stands for Storage Area Network. It is a high-speed network that provides access to consolidated, block-level data storage, enhancing storage availability and performance in enterprise environments. 

Example: ”Our new data centre upgrade includes a SAN to improve data redundancy and backup capabilities.”
Sector/Category: Data Storage / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “LAN” stand for?  

LAN stands for Local Area Network. It connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area, such as an office or building, enabling resource sharing and communication. 

Example: ”The office LAN was upgraded to support higher bandwidth and improved security protocols.”
Sector/Category: Networking / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “WAN” stand for?  

WAN stands for Wide Area Network. It connects multiple LANs over large geographical distances, allowing organisations with multiple locations to communicate and share resources securely. 

Example: ”Our WAN links all UK branch offices, ensuring seamless access to centralised applications.”
Sector/Category: Networking / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “VPN” stand for?  

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It establishes an encrypted connection over the internet, enabling secure remote access to internal networks and protecting data in transit. 

Example: ”Employees working from home connect to the corporate network via a VPN for secure access to internal systems.”
Sector/Category: Security / Networking 

What does “DNS” stand for?  

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, enabling users to access websites and services using easy-to-remember names. 

Example: ”A DNS misconfiguration caused temporary unavailability of our public website.”
Sector/Category: Networking / Internet Infrastructure 

What does “SIEM” stand for?  

IEM stands for Security Information and Event Management. It is a solution that collects, analyses, and correlates security data from across an organisation’s IT environment to detect threats and support compliance. 

Example: ”The IT team implemented a SIEM platform to enhance real-time threat detection and incident response.”
Sector/Category: Cybersecurity / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “IAM” stand for?  

IAM stands for Identity and Access Management. It is a framework of policies and technologies designed to ensure that the right individuals have the appropriate access to technology resources. 

Example: ”IAM solutions help us enforce strict access controls and meet regulatory compliance requirements.”
Sector/Category: Security / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “DRaaS” stand for?  

DRaaS stands for Disaster Recovery as a Service. It provides cloud-based disaster recovery solutions, enabling organisations to restore critical systems and data in the event of an outage or disaster. 

Example: ”We adopted DRaaS to ensure business continuity and rapid recovery in case of a major system failure.”
Sector/Category: Business Continuity / Cloud Services 

What does “API” stand for?  

API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of protocols and tools for building software applications, enabling different systems to communicate and share data seamlessly. 

Example: ”Our CRM integrates with third-party platforms using secure APIs.”
Sector/Category: Application Development / Integration 

What does “SLA” stand for?  

SLA stands for Service Level Agreement. It is a formal contract between a service provider and a client, outlining the expected level of service, performance metrics, and the respective responsibilities of both parties. 

Example: ”The SLA guarantees 99.9% uptime for our hosted infrastructure services.”
Sector/Category: Service Management / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “NAC” stand for?  

NAC stands for Network Access Control. It is a security solution that enforces policies to regulate which devices can access a network, often based on compliance with security standards. 

Example: ”We implemented NAC to ensure only compliant devices can connect to our corporate network.”
Sector/Category: Security / Networking 

What does “IDS” stand for?  

IDS stands for Intrusion Detection System. It monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators to potential security breaches. 

Example: ”The IDS detected unusual traffic patterns, prompting an immediate security review.”
Sector/Category: Security / Infrastructure Solutions 

What does “EDR” stand for?  

EDR stands for Endpoint Detection and Response. It refers to security solutions that monitor, detect, and respond to threats on endpoint devices such as laptops and servers. 

Example: ”EDR tools provide advanced threat detection and automated response capabilities for all endpoints.”
Sector/Category: Security / Endpoint Protection 

Submit Your Acronyms 

If you encounter an unfamiliar acronym or would like further clarification on a specific term related to IT infrastructure solutions, please let us know, and we will consider adding it to this list. Greenlight Computers is committed to keeping this resource up-to-date and relevant for the UK business community.