Data

The process of using an algorithm to transform information to make it unreadable for unauthorized users. The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext using cryptographic algorithms to protect data confidentiality and integrity.

Any singular, identifiable and separate object. The term is used in a number of programming languages/concepts, database management and systems design. In relation to a database, an entity is a single person, place, or thing about which data can be stored. In data modeling (a first step in the creation of a database), an entity is some unit of data that can be classified and have stated relationships to other entities.

A collection of software programs that is typically tightly integrated, which ties together all of an enterprise's various functions - HR, finance, manufacturing, sales, etc. This software also provides for the analysis of this data to plan production, forecast sales, analyze quality, and so on.

A data model that represents data as a collection of entities, their attributes, and corresponding values.

A computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the edge of the network, reducing latency and improving performance for edge devices.