IT Acronym List

Here, you'll find a list of commonly used technology acronyms and definitions. Some of them are specific to Miami, but others are general-knowledge terms across the tech community. As always, please reach out to muit-comm@miamioh.edu for more information or clarification about any of these.

Other Resources


IT Acronyms
Acronym Full Form Comments
2FA/TFA Two-factor authentication The second layer of identification needed to log into Miami accounts, usually a code sent to smartphones or obtained via a fob device.
AD Active Directory Microsoft-developed directory service for Windows domain networks.
ADOT Academic Directors of Technology Technical staff employed by each of the academic divisions.
BDM Banner Document Management Imaging and documentation service used by staff and faculty to image, store, share, and manage documents.
BI Business Intelligence The process of making informed business decisions by using data-driven analytics and technologies to project outcomes and glean actionable information.
BSoD Blue Screen of Death Fatal system error on Windows machines. Usually hardware or driver related; includes a stop code that can be used to figure out what went wrong.
CAB Change Advisory Board Reviews all high- and medium-risk changes and approves or sends them back for further review and clarification.
CAS Central authentication system The red-background login screen in front of Miami services like BannerWeb, GMail, myMiami, and others.
DBA Database Administrator IT professional that oversees database operations, including configuration, database design, capacity planning and more.
DAR Degree Audit Report Real-time document that checks classes students have taken against the list of classes they need to graduate with their chosen degrees. Can be accessed via BannerWeb.
DC Domain Controller The server that is running Windows Server OS and has Active Directory Domain Services installed.
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol A network protocol enabling servers to automatically and dynamically assign IP addresses to devices or nodes on a network.
DNS Domain Name System The way IP addresses are assigned to domain names. For instance, MiamiOH.edu is a domain name that is assigned to a certain IP address, which is how the web browser accesses the site.
IA Institutional Analytics The use of reports, data warehouses, data dashboards, analysis, and other information products to make timely data-driven decisions across all departments and divisions.
IPA Intrusion Prevention Appliance One part of the Intrusion Prevention System.
IPS Intrusion Prevention System Program that analyzes and monitors network traffic in order to discover suspicious activity and prevent transmission of said risky activity. (Different from a firewall.)
IT Information Technology
KB Knowledge Base Our one-stop shop online repository of tech know-how. Got a tech question? Find a tech answer.
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LT Leadership Team Unit leaders within IT Services.
MBP MacBook Pro
MCIS Miami Computing and Information Services Former name for what is currently IT Services.
MCS Miami Computing Services An additional abbreviation for MCIS.
MInE Miami Information Environment Legacy tool that provided web access for operational reports. Was decommissioned in 2017 and replaced by BI tools.
MNB Miami Notebook A program through the Miami Bookstore that sells laptop computers to students (now called the Student Laptop Program).
MUTV Miami University Television
MWB Malwarebytes Anti-malware software.
OBIEE Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition System used by Institutional Analytics to store data and provide dashboards for analyzing data.
PGP Pretty Good Privacy A commercial product used to provide encryption for laptop computers owned by the University.
RCM Responsibility Center Management A model of operation that emphasizes transparency in goals and resources and improves two-way communication between project stakeholders.
SLA Service Level Agreement Contract between service provider and customer that details what services and performance standards will be provided for the duration of the relationship.
SCCM System Center Configuration Manager Microsoft product and systems management software that manages large groups of machines running various operating systems.
SQL Structured Query Language A standard language that is essential for database manipulation, retrieval, and control.
STAC Student Technology Advisory Committee Group of IT leaders that determines which student tech fee projects will be funded and the amounts that will be granted. See more information about the student tech fee grant.
VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol Phone services provided via the internet.
VPN Virtual private network Encrypted network via which faculty, staff, and students can access firewall-protected Miami information while off campus.