Alphabet Soup: Our Guide To Decoding IT Acronyms and Initialisms

Do you ever feel like you need to pull up Google translate when you’re talking with your IT team? We know — folks in tech have a reputation for using acronyms, initialisms, and jargon.

Whenever possible, we avoid confusing jargon when communicating with our clients, but sometimes they will inevitably come across unfamiliar terms online or in conversation.

Since Duolingo doesn’t have an “IT” language course, we wanted to put together a basic guide of some of the most common acronyms and initialisms you’ll come across when dealing with your technology.

1. IT — Information Technology

You knew this one, right? If you didn’t, we won’t tell anyone.

2. MSP — Managed Service Provider

An MSP is an outsourced IT team. Businesses hire MSPs to manage their technology, handle day-to-day IT support, and keep systems secure and up-to-date.

Related terms:

• SLA — Service Level Agreement: A written agreement between a service provider and a customer or client. An SLA spells out specifics like response times and availability expectations.

• MSA — Master Service Agreement: The broader legal contract that governs the overall relationship between a business and its service provider.

3. 2FA — Two-Factor Authentication

2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second piece of information when logging into an account or device. 2FA often means receiving a code on your phone or email to validate your credentials.

Related terms:

• MFA — Multi-Factor Authentication: Essentially the same concept as 2FA but requiring multiple additional pieces of information, such as a code sent to your email AND a code from an authenticator app. 

4. RMM — Remote Monitoring and Management

RMM tools allow IT providers to keep an eye on your systems remotely. They help detect issues before they become bigger problems.

5. IP — Internet Protocol

Internet Protocol governs how data is sent and received over the internet or a local network. It ensures that information — emails, files, and web pages — reaches the right destination.

An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to a device connected to a computer network. It’s essentially a digital mailing address that allows devices to find and communicate with each other across the internet.

6. SaaS — Software as a Service

SaaS refers to cloud-based software that you access via the internet instead of installing on your computer. Most SaaS solutions require a monthly or annual subscription fee. Common examples include Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Dropbox. 

7. VPN — Virtual Private Network

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. VPNs are commonly used to protect sensitive data on public Wi-Fi or allow employees to safely access company systems when working remotely.

8. DNS — Domain Name System

DNS is like the internet’s phonebook. When you type in a website like www.grandconsulting.com, DNS translates that name into the IP address of the server hosting the site. If DNS isn’t working, websites won’t load — even if your internet is technically working.

9. SSL — Secure Sockets Layer

SSL encrypts data sent between a website and a user’s browser. SSL is what gives you that little padlock icon in your address bar. Today, SSL is largely replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security), but the term “SSL” is still widely used.

Final Thoughts

There are hundreds more acronyms, but these should give you a good foundation to build upon. If you ever feel lost while talking to your IT team or MSP (see what we did there?), just ask us to explain. We’re more than happy to translate.