Must-know ICT and government terminology

Measures taken by government agencies to reduce costs and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations. This can involve a range of activities such as streamlining processes, reducing duplication, outsourcing, improving procurement practices, and introducing new technologies or systems. Savings and efficiencies are often a response to budgetary constraints or pressures to do more with less, and are intended to ensure that government resources are used as effectively as possible to achieve the desired outcomes.

A device that is used to capture images or documents in digital format by converting them into a series of pixels. Scanners can be flatbed, handheld or sheet-fed, and they use different methods such as CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CIS (Contact Image Sensor) to scan and capture the image.

A program or initiative that is established by the government to provide a particular benefit or service to individuals, businesses, or other entities. Schemes may be established under specific legislation, or may be administered by government agencies under the authority of the executive branch. Schemes may cover a wide range of areas, such as social welfare, health care, education, environmental management, or industry support. They may be designed to provide financial assistance, access to services, regulatory relief, or other forms of support.

The application of technology and computational methods to scientific, technical, and forensic fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and law enforcement. This includes the use of specialised software and hardware tools to collect, analyse, and interpret data, as well as to simulate and model complex systems. Scientific, technical, and forensic applications of ICT are critical in fields such as research, product development, quality control, and law enforcement investigations.

An information retrieval system that enables users to search and retrieve data from the internet or a specific database using specific search queries or keywords.

A Secure Internet Gateway (SIG) is a solution that provides secure internet access for users in an organisation by filtering traffic to and from the internet. It enables secure and safe internet browsing, web applications, and cloud services. A SIG provides protection against threats such as malware, phishing, and other cyber attacks, by blocking or filtering internet traffic that may contain malicious content or code. It can also provide additional features such as web filtering, data loss prevention, and threat intelligence, to help prevent cyber attacks and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Measures taken to protect computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorised access, theft, damage, or disruption. Security in ICT can involve hardware, software, and procedural safeguards, such as firewalls, encryption, antivirus software, access controls, and security policies and protocols.

A procurement method where only a selected group of potential suppliers are invited to submit proposals or bids for a particular project or requirement. This method is typically used when there are a limited number of suppliers who can provide the goods or services required, or when there is a need for a high level of expertise or specialised skills.

A type of procurement in which only a select group of suppliers or contractors are invited to submit a tender or bid for a specific project or contract. The suppliers or contractors are selected based on pre-determined criteria, such as their experience, capabilities, and qualifications. This method is often used when the procuring agency has identified a small pool of suppliers or contractors who have the necessary expertise or experience to deliver the required goods or services.

A computer program or a hardware device that provides functionality or services to other computer programs or devices, known as clients, over a network. Servers can provide a variety of services such as file storage and sharing, website hosting, database management, and application hosting.