AuroraA display of colored light in the atmosphere, caused by collisions between charged particles from a planet’s magnetosphere and atmospheric gases near…
AuthenticateTo confirm the identity of an entity when that identity is presented.
authenticated identity>An identity of a principal that has been assured through authentication [10181-2].
authenticationThe process of validating the credentials of a person, computer process, or device.
authentication algorithmAn encryption process or tool in which the results of text encryption depend on all relevant authentication elements. [After X9.24]
authentication authorityAn authority recognized in a security domain as a source of certified identities.(See also Subject Authority) [ECMA138].
authentication certificateAuthentication information in the form of a security certificate which may be used to assure the identity of an entity guaranteed by an authentication…
authentication elementA contiguous group of characters or bits that are corruption-protected by being processed by the authentication algorithm. [After X9.24]
authentication exchange1. A mechanism intended to ensure the identity of an entity by means of an information exchange. [2382-pt.8] 2.
authentication information1. Information used to establish the validity of a claimed identity of an entity. [2382-pt.8] 2.
authentication keyA (data-encryption algorithm) key used to authenticate data in accordance with specific encryption standards. [After X9.26]
authentication policyA set of rules, part of an access control policy, by which credentials are matched against claims of identity [ECMATR46].
authentication responderThe entity which receives the first transfer of exchange AI in an authentication exchange [10181-2].
authentication system[A] cryptosystem or process used for authentication. [INFOSEC-99]
authenticatorA symbol or group of symbols, or a series of bits, selected or derived in a prearranged manner and usually inserted at a predetermined point within a…
AuthorityOne dimension of search relevancy. This indicates that the document is considered to be an authority for this query.
AuthorizationThe issuance of approval, by a credit card issuer, merchant, or other affiliate, to complete a credit card transaction.
authorization certificateAny of several types of attribute certificates containing information used in the authorization process.
authorization policyA set of rules, part of an access control policy, by which access by security subjects to security objects is granted or denied.
authorized bandwidthAuthorized bandwidth is, for purposes of this Manual, the necessary bandwidth (bandwidth required for transmission and reception of intelligence) and does…
authorized frequencyA frequency that is allocated and assigned by a competent authority to a specific user for a specific purpose. 2.
authorized signatoryThe highest level issuer of authorization certificates in an organization. Note: Authorized signatories are designated in a signatory certificate, which…
Authorized userIf you ask us to issue a credit card on this account to another person, he or she is an authorized user.
auto-replyIn e-mail systems, a message sent automatically upon receipt of incoming e-mail.
AUTODINAcronym for automatic digital network. See Defense Data Network.
automated information system (AIS)An assembly of computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these, configured to accomplish specific information-handling operations, such…
automated information systems securityMeasures and controls that ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information processed and stored by automated information systems.
automated radioA radio that can be automatically controlled by electronic devices and that requires little or no human intervention.
automated security monitoringUse of automated procedures to ensure security controls are not circumvented or the use of these tools to track actions taken by subjects suspected of…
automated tactical command and control systemA command and control system, or part thereof, that manipulates the movement of information from source to user without human intervention.
automatic answeringA service feature in which the called terminal automatically responds to the calling signal and the call may be established whether or not the called…
automatic call distributor (ACD)A device that distributes incoming calls to a specific group of terminals. Note: If the number of active calls is less than the number of terminals, the…
automatic callbackA service feature that permits a user, when encountering a busy condition, to instruct the system to retain the called and calling numbers and to…
automatic callingCalling in which the elements of the selection signal are entered into the data network contiguously at the full data signaling rate.
automatic calling unit (ACU)A device that enables equipment, such as computers and card dialers, to originate calls automatically over a telecommunications network.
Automatic Code Gap (ACG)ACG is a code control that is implemented automatically in response to a request from a database to limit traffic.
Automatic Congestion ControlACC is a two-part feature. In order for ACC to function properly it must be implemented in the originating and terminating nodes of an interconnected…
automatic data handling (ADH)A generalization of automatic data processing to include the aspect of data transfer. [JP1] 2. Combining data processing and data transfer.
automatic data processing (ADP)An interacting assembly of procedures, processes, methods, personnel, and equipment to perform automatically a series of data processing operations on…
automatic data processing (ADP) system>An assembly of computer hardware, firmware, and software configured for the purpose of classifying, sorting, calculating, computing, summarizing…
automatic data processing equipment (ADPE)Any equipment or interconnected system or subsystems of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement…
Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN)Formerly, a worldwide data communications network of the Defense Communications System, now replaced by the Defense Switched Network (DSN).
automatic exchangeIn a telephone system, an exchange in which communications among users are effected by means of switches set in operation by the originating user…
automatic frequency control (AFC)A device or circuit that maintains the frequency of an oscillator within the specified limits with respect to a reference frequency.
automatic functionA machine function or series of machine functions controlled by a program and carried out without assistance of an operator.
automatic gain control (AGC)A process or means by which gain is automatically adjusted in a specified manner as a function of a specified parameter, such as received signal level.
automatic identified outward dialing (AIOD)A service feature of some switching or terminal devices that provides the user with an itemized statement of usage on directly dialed calls.
automatic link establishment (ALE)In high-frequency (HF) radio, the capability of a station to make contact, or initiate a circuit, between itself and another specified radio station…
automatic link transferAutomatic rerouting of the radio portion of a call for signal quality, traffic management, or other reasons. [T1.702-1995]
automatic message exchange (AME)In an adaptive high-frequency (HF) radio network, an automated process allowing the transfer of a message from message injection to addressee reception…
automatic message processing system (AMPS)Any organized assembly of resources and methods used to collect, process, and distribute messages largely by automatic means. [JP1]
automatic number identification (ANI)A service feature in which the directory number or equipment number of a calling station is automatically obtained.
automatic operationThe functioning of systems, equipment, or processes in a desired manner at the proper time under control of mechanical or electronic devices that operate…
automatic personal deregistrationThe process by which a user's location registration is automatically canceled without any explicit action from the user. [T1.Rpt34-1994]
automatic personal registrationThe process by which a user's location registration is automatically updated without any explicit action from the user. [T1.Rpt34-1994]
automatic redial: A service feature that allows the user to dial, by depressing a single key or a few keys, the most recent telephone number dialed at that instrument.
automatic remote rekeying[In INFOSEC, a] procedure to rekey a distant crypto-equipment electronically without specific actions by the receiving terminal operator.
automatic remote reprogramming and rekeyingThe procedure by which distant equipment is reprogrammed or rekeyed electronically without specific actions by the receiving terminal.
automatic ringdown circuitA circuit providing priority telephone service, typically for key personnel; the circuit is activated when the telephone handset is removed from the…
Automatic Scheduled TestingAutomatic Scheduled Testing (AST) of Switched Access Services (Feature Groups B, C and D), where the customer provides remote office test lines and 105…
automatic sequential connectionA service feature in which the terminals at each of a set of specified addresses are automatically connected, in a predetermined sequence, to a single…
automatic soundingThe testing of selected channels or paths by providing a very brief beacon-like identifying broadcast that may be used by other stations to evaluate…
automatic switching systemIn data communications, a switching system in which all the operations required to execute the three phases of information-transfer transactions are…
Automatic Voice Network (AUTOVON)Formerly, the principal long-haul, unsecure voice communications network within the Defense Communications System, now replaced by the Defense Switched…
AutomationThe replacement of manual operations by computerized methods. Automation can both improve efficiency and reduce errors brought on by manual intervention.
autonomous systemInternet (TCP/IP) terminology for a collection of gateways (routers) that fall under one administrative entity and that cooperate using a common interior…
AUTOSEVOCOMAcronym for Automatic Secure Voice Communications Network.
AUTOVONAcronym for Automatic Voice Network. Superseded by Defense Switched Network.
auxiliary operationAn offline operation performed by equipment not under control of the processing unit.
auxiliary powerElectric power that is provided by an alternate source and that serves as backup for the primary power source at the station main bus or prescribed…
auxiliary storageStorage that is available to a processor only through its input/output channels. 2. In a computer, any storage that is not internal memory, i.e.
AvailabilityA reflection of the form and location of nutritional elements and their suitability for absorption.
available lineIn voice, video, or data communications, a circuit between two points that is ready for service, but is in the idle state. 2.
Available NumbersAvailable numbers are numbers that are available for assignment to subscriber access lines, or their equivalents, within a switching entity or point of…
available stateA state where a (bidirectional or unidirectional) service is usable. Note: Each direction of a service is assumed to be in the available state unless a…
available timeFrom the point of view of a user, the time during which a functional unit can be used.
avalanche multiplicationA current-multiplying phenomenon that occurs in a semiconductor photodiode that is reverse-biased just below its breakdown voltage.
avalanche photodiode (APD)A photodiode that operates with a reverse-bias voltage that causes the primary photocurrent to undergo amplification by cumulative multiplication of…
average picture level (APL)In video systems, the average level of the picture signal during active scanning time integrated over a frame period; defined as a percentage of the range…
AVI (.avi)Abbreviation for audio video interleaved. A file-name extension used to indicate a compressed video file in the AVI standard for a common operating system.
AVKAbbreviation for audio video kernel. Digital video interface (.dvi) software designed for playing motion video and audio across several different…
avoidance routingThe assignment of a circuit path to avoid certain critical or trouble-prone circuit nodes.
AVSSAbbreviation for audio-video support system. A digital video interface system software (for DOS) that plays motion video and audio. [After Silicon]
AWGThe abbreviation for American Wire Gauge; the standard for gauging the size of wires (electrical conductors).