complement (of cable)A group of conductors of the same general type (e.g., quadded, paired) within a single cable sheath. [47 CFR Pt.36-A]
complementary colors1. With respect to additive mixing, any pair of colors that are radially opposite one another relative to the white point on a chromaticity chart, e.g.
complementary network service (CNS)A means for an enhanced-service provider customer to connect to a network and to the enhanced service provider.
complexAll groups of operator positions, wherever located, associated with the same call distribution and/or stored program control unit. [47 CFR Pt.36-A]
compliance testingA one-time process to verify that a collection of software and hardware fulfills given specifications. [Mattila]
componentSubsystem, assembly, or subassembly of logically grouped hardware and software, that performs interacting tasks to provide BMDS capability at a functional…
component colorThe structure of a video signal wherein the R', G', and B' signals are kept separate from one another or wherein luminance and two bandlimited…
component profileA profile that is made up of a defined subset of a single standard [POSIX.0].
composite cableA communications cable having both optical and metallic signal-carrying components. Note 1: A cable having optical fiber(s) and a metallic component, e.g.
composite colorThe structure of a video signal wherein the luminance and two bandlimited color-difference signals are simultaneously present in the channel.
composite signaling (CX)Signaling in which an arrangement is made to provide direct current signaling and dial pulsing beyond the range of conventional loop signaling.
composite synchronizationA signal consisting of horizontal sync pulses, vertical sync pulses, and equalizing pulses only. [After Silicon]
composite test signalIn television systems, a test signal consisting of a line bar (125 ns rise time and fall time), a 2T pulse (250 ns half-amplitude duration), a 12.5T (1.
composite two-tone test signalA test signal composed of two different frequencies and used for intermodulation distortion measurements.
Composite VideoCombines red, green, blue and synchronization signals into one video signal so that only one connector is required; used by most TVs and VCRs.
composite video signalThe electrical signal that represents complete color picture information and all synchronization signals, including blanking and the deflection…
composited circuitA circuit that can be used simultaneously either for telephony and dc telegraphy or for telephony and signaling.
compound documentA computer-generated document comprised of a variety of data formats, such as text and graphics
compound signalIn ac signaling, a signal consisting of the simultaneous transmission of more than one frequency.
compressSee data compaction, data compression, signal compression.
compressed videoVideo that has been encoded so as to reduce the number of bits required for storage or transmission.
CompressionCompression algorithms such as Zip and RLE reduce the size of files saving both storage space and reducing bandwidth required for access and transmission.
Compression RatioThe ratio of the size of an uncompressed file to a compressed file, e.g., with a 10:1 compression ratio, a 1 MB file can be compressed to 100 KB.
CompressorA device used to compress air for mechanical or electrical power production, and in air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators to pressurize the…
CompromiseDisclosure of information to unauthorized persons, or a violation of the security policy of a system in which unauthorized intentional or unintentional…
compromised obsoleteIn cryptography, a key state in which the secrecy or integrity of the key is suspect. [After X9.17/95]
compromising emanationsUnintentional signals that, if intercepted and analyzed, would disclose the information transmitted, received, handled, or otherwise processed by…
ComputerIncludes but is not limited to network servers, desktops, laptops, notebook computers, mainframes and PDAs (personal digital assistants).
computer abuseIn computer security, a willful or negligent unauthorized activity that affects or involves the computer security of a data processing system. [2382-pt.
computer architectureOf a computer, the physical configuration, logical structure, formats, protocols, and operational sequences for processing data, controlling the…
computer conferenceA communication session, facilitated by means of a computer network, between several participants, each of them having access to all messages submitted.
computer conferencingTeleconferencing supported by one or more computers. 2. An arrangement in which access, by multiple users, to a common database is mediated by a…
computer crimeA violation of law committed with the aid of, or directly involving, a data processing system or network. [2382-pt.8]
computer cryptographyUse of a crypto-algorithm program by a computer to authenticate or encrypt/decrypt information. [INFOSEC-99]
computer fraudA fraud committed with the aid of, or directly involving, a data processing system or network. [2382-pt.8]
computer graphicsGraphics implemented through the use of computers. 2. Methods and techniques for converting data to or from graphic displays via computers. 3.
computer network operating system (NOS)A specialized operating system designed for computer networking on minicomputers and microcomputers in a local networking area / campus area network.
computer scienceThe discipline that is concerned with methods and techniques relating to data processing performed by automatic means.
Computer Security (COMPUSEC)The totality of security safeguards needed to provide acceptable level of protection for automatic data processing (ADP) systems and the classified data…
computer security subsystemHardware/software designed to provide computer security features in a larger system environment. [INFOSEC-99]
computer systemA functional unit, consisting of one or more computers and associated software, that (a) uses common storage for all or part of a program and also for all…
computer system fault toleranceThe ability of a computer system to continue to operate correctly even though one or more of its components are malfunctioning.
computer wordIn computing, a group of bits or characters that occupies one or more storage locations and is treated by computers as a unit. Synonym machine word.
computer-oriented languageA programming language in which words and syntax are designed for use on a specific computer or class of computers.
computer-system auditAn examination of the procedures used in a data processing system to evaluate their effectiveness and correctness, and to recommend improvements. [2382-pt.
COMSEC boundary[The] definable perimeter encompassing all hardware, firmware, and software components performing critical COMSEC functions, such as key generation and…
COMSEC chip set[A] collection of NSA-approved microchips. [INFOSEC-99]
COMSEC control programComputer instructions or routines controlling or affecting the externally performed functions of key generation, key distribution, message…
COMSEC end-itemEquipment or a combination of components ready for use in a COMSEC application. [INFOSEC-99]
COMSEC equipmentEquipment designed to provide security to telecommunications by converting information to a form unintelligible to an unauthorized interceptor and…
COMSEC insecurityCOMSEC incident that has been investigated, evaluated, and determined to jeopardize the security of COMSEC material or the secure transmission of…
COMSEC material[An] item designed to secure or authenticate telecommunications. Note: COMSEC material includes, but is not limited to, key, equipment, devices…
COMSEC module[A] removable component that performs COMSEC functions in a telecommunications equipment or system. [INFOSEC-99]
COMSEC monitoring[The] act of listening to, copying, or recording transmissions of one's own official telecommunications to analyze the degree of security. [INFOSEC-99]
COMSEC profile[A] statement of COMSEC measures and materials used to protect a given operation, system, or organization. [INFOSEC-99]
COMSEC survey[An] organized collection of COMSEC and communications information relative to a given operation, system, or organization. [INFOSEC-99]
COMSEC system dataInformation required by a COMSEC equipment or system to enable it to properly handle and control key. [INFOSEC-99]
concentration equipmentCentral office equipment whose function is to concentrate traffic from subscriber lines onto a lesser number of circuits between the remotely located…
ConcentratorA photovoltaic module, which includes optical components such as lenses (Fresnel lens) to direct and concentrate sunlight onto a solar cell.
concentricity errorIn an optical fiber, the distance between the center of the two concentric circles that specify the cladding diameter and the center of the two concentric…
concrete signalAn off-hook condition applied to the network interface (NI) by the network that indicated the network intends to complete a call attempt to the customer…
concrete syntaxThose aspects of the rules used in the formal specification of data that embody a specific representation of those data. [T1.208-1989]
concurrent operationSynonym multitasking. 2. In data link operations, the operation in which two or more data links are used during the same, usually short, time interval…
conditioned circuitA communications circuit optimized to obtain desired characteristics for voice or data transmission.
conditioned diphase modulationA form of diphase modulation, combined with signal conditioning, that (a) eliminates the dc component of the signal, (b) enhances timing recovery, and (c)…
conditioned loopA loop that has conditioning equipment to obtain the desired line characteristics for voice or data transmission.
conditioning equipmentAt junctions of circuits, equipment used to obtain desired circuit characteristics, such as matched transmission levels, matched impedances, and…
conducted interferenceInterference resulting from noise or unwanted signals entering a device by conductive coupling, i.e., by direct coupling. 2.
Conduction BandAn energy band in a semiconductor in which electrons can move freely in a solid, producing a net transport of charge.
conductive couplingEnergy transfer achieved by means of physical contact, i.e., coupling other than inductive or capacitive coupling.
conference activeIn conference calling, the state in which conference resources have been allocated to the specified conference and at least one party has a connection to…
conference callA service feature that allows a call to be established among three or more stations in such a manner that each of the stations is able to communicate with…
conference controllerIn audio and video teleconferences, the user in charge of the conference when the service is invoked and the conference reaches the active state.
conference floatingIn conference calling, the state in which the conference is active but without a controller.
conference IDIn conference calling, the served user's (or controller's) reference to the conference itself. [T1.647-1995]
conference idleIn conference calling, the state prior to the receipt of a "conference invocation request," or after a particular conference has ended. [T1.647-1995]
conference operationIn a communications network, operation that allows a call to be established among three or more stations in such a manner that each of the stations is…
ConfidenceA measure of the security of a trusted function, or a set of trusted functions, as calculated by a competent authority [CESG].
confidence levelA measure of confidence as described in CESG Computer Security Memorandum No.3 - "UK Systems Security Confidence Levels" [CESG].
ConfidentialityIn genetics, the expectation that genetic material and the information gained from testing that material will not be available without the donor's consent.