Policy 7230A - Department of Administration

Appendix D – Glossary
Information System
A discrete set of information resources organized for the purpose of collecting,
processing, maintaining, sharing, disseminating, disposing or otherwise using
information of a particular and unique nature. An example of an information system is a
billing system.
Information System Component (Component)
A discrete information resource that exists as a constituent part of an information
system and performs a unique task within that system. Examples of information system
components are a billing system database server and a personal computer used to
manipulate the data in that database server.
Information System Core Component (Core Component)
A discrete information resource that exists as a constituent part of an information
system that without which the information system would not be able to function. An
example of an information system core component is a billing system database server.
Information System Peripheral Component (Peripheral Component)
A discrete information resource that exists as a constituent part of an information
system that without which the information system would continue to be able to
function. An example of an information system peripheral component is a personal
computer used to manipulate the data in a database server.
Information System Component Element (Element)
A discrete information resource that exists as a constituent part of an information
system component and performs a unique task within that component. Examples of
information system component elements include the computer that hosts a database
server as well as the database software that is hosted on that computer.
Information System Facility (Facility)
A discrete physical location that is used to house information system core components.
An example of an information system facility is a data center.
Information System Facility Controlled Area (Controlled Area)
A discrete portion within an information facility to which access is restricted to
approved personnel only through the use of physical constraints. An example of an
information system facility controlled area is a server room, an example of approved
personnel is system operations staff and an example of physical constraints is swipecard
protected doors.
Confidentiality
The first of the three goals of security, confidentiality is the process of protecting the
privacy of information. An example of information for which confidentiality is important
is intellectual property.
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