Find Terms by Theme: General IT
Application
A computer program or set of programs that meet a defined set of business needs. A program or group of programs designed for end users. These programs are divided into two classes: system software and application software. While system software consists of low-level programs that interact with computers at a basic level, application software resides above system software and includes applications such as database programs, word processors and spreadsheets. Application software may be grouped along with system software or published alone. For the purposes of integration applications consume an integration service such as a web service or API.
Application System
An interconnected set of IT resources under the same direct management control that meets a defined set of business needs.
Business Application / System
An application or system which has a direct impact on the delivery of services to department/agency employees, clients or consumers.
Contractor
The firm, its employees and affiliated agents. Contractor also includes any firm, provider, organization, individual, or other entity performing the business activities of the agency. It will also include any subcontractor retained by Contractor as permitted under the terms of the Contract.
Covered Technology
All public-facing content, including websites, applications, documents and media, blog posts, and social media content. Certain non-public-facing content that must also comply. Examples include: All electronic content used for official business to communicate: emergency notifications, initial or final decisions adjudicating administrative claims or proceedings, internal or external program or policy announcements, notices of benefits, program eligibility, employment opportunities or personnel actions, formal acknowledgements or receipts, questionnaires or surveys, templates or forms, educational or training materials, and web-based intranets.
Critical Issue
A known system defect or enhancement request that if left unresolved could significantly impact business operations, compliance with statute or policy, the integrity of the system or data or otherwise create a public health, safety or other significant risk areas.
Data Center
Data Centers are facilities that house and protect critical IT equipment supporting delivery of government services including the space, power, environment controls, racks, cabling and external labor.
We distinguish between Agency Data Centers, and the State Data Centers because by statute we are directed to migrate TO the State Data Center and away from Agency Data Centers.
State Data Centers include:
- The Olympia-based State Data Center (SDC) operated by Consolidated Technology Services (CTS)
- The Quincy-based Disaster Recovery Services Data Center leased by CTS.
- Other Facilities such as Computer rooms and MDF/IDF/telco closets that house IT equipment primarily supporting local building operations in corporate headquarters, call centers or other general purpose office buildings.
NOTE: This definition is used in the TBM program and also reside in Standard 113.30: TBM Taxonomy.
Disaster Recovery
Restarting technology operations after an outage using processes, policies and procedures prepared for recovery or continuation of mission-essential technology infrastructure after a disaster.
These processes are found in a DR Plan. DR is a subset of business continuity and COOP.
The three principal goals of DR are to:
- Save data,
- Save hardware, software and facilities
- Resume critical processes/restore data.
End of Support
The latest date a manufacturer will provide security patches. Some manufacturers have an end of mainstream support date and an extended end-of support date. In these cases, after the end of mainstream support, no additional software feature/function enhancements or fixes are issued but security patches are until the end of extended support. The recommended best practice is to migrate before end of mainstream support.
Enterprise Architecture
Enterprise Architecture is an established process for describing the current state and defining the target state and transition strategy for an organization's people, processes, and technology.
RCW 43.105.20 (5): "Enterprise architecture" means an ongoing activity for translating business vision and strategy into effective enterprise change. It is a continuous activity. Enterprise architecture creates, communicates, and improves the key principles and models that describe the enterprise's future state and enable its evolution.
Executive Sponsor
The senior executive responsible to the agency and the State CIO/OCIO for the project.
Governance
The processes, groups and activities associated with decision making and the exercising of authority.
Guideline
A guideline is a compilation of best practice offered in support of a policy or standard.
Information Technology
Per RCW 43.105.020, "Information technology" includes, but is not limited to, all electronic technology systems and services, automated information handling, system design and analysis, conversion of data, computer programming, information storage and retrieval, telecommunications, requisite system controls, simulation, electronic commerce, radio technologies, and all related interactions between people and machines.
Information Technology (IT) Assets
The processes, procedures, systems, IT infrastructure, data, and communication capabilities that allow each agency to manage, store, and share information in pursuit of its business mission, including but not limited to:
- Applications.
- All data typically associated with IT systems regardless of source (agency, partner, customer, citizen, etc.).
- All data typically associated with IT systems regardless of the medium on which it resides (disc, tape, flash drive, cell phone, personal digital assistant, etc.).
- End-user authentication systems.
- Hardware (voice, video, radio transmitters and receivers, mainframes, servers, workstations, personal computers, laptops, and all end point equipment).
- Software (operating systems, application software, middleware, microcode).
- IT infrastructure (networks, connections, pathways, servers, wireless endpoints).
- Services (data processing, telecommunications, office automation, and computerized information systems).
- Telecommunications hardware, software, and networks.
- Radio frequencies.
- Data computing and telecommunications facilities.
- Intelligent control systems such as video surveillance, HVAC, and physical security.
Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure
IT infrastructure consists of the equipment, systems, software, and services used in common across an organization, regardless of mission/program/project. IT Infrastructure also serves as the foundation upon which mission/program/project-specific systems and capabilities are built. Approaches to provisioning of IT infrastructure vary across organizations, but commonly include capabilities such as Domain Name Server (DNS), Wide Area Network (WAN), and employee locator systems. Additional common capabilities examples include IT security systems, servers, routers, workstations, networked Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and networked printers (multifunction devices).
Information Technology System
Integration
Internal System or Network
An IT system or network designed and intended for use only by state of Washington employees, contractors, and business partners.
Interoperability
Major IT Project
A project subject to State CIO/OCIO oversight based on risk/severity assessment, a statute or some other factor as determined by the State CIO.
Mapping / Geospatial
Provide for the representation of mapping and geospatial information through the use of attributes such as zip code, country code, elevation, natural features and other spatial measures
Mobile Device
Any hand-portable device capable of text, voice, email, instant messaging (“IM”), photo messaging or other types of data communication. This policy is not meant to apply to: cars, boats, airplanes, laptop computers, desktop computers, unpiloted aerial vehicles (drones), gps receivers, radios
Policy
A technology policy outlines what needs to be accomplished or achieved and the roles and responsibilities of the various entities.
Portfolio Management
Defines the set of capabilities to support the administration of a group of investments held by an organization
Standard
A standard provides more details about how a policy or portions of policy will be implemented.
