Glossary

Authentication

A way of making sure people are who they say they are so that the right people are given access to the right information or service. We are often asked to authenticate ourselves by providing a PIN, signing a credit card voucher or having someone sign our photograph when we obtain a passport.

Directory

A central list of government agencies and staff used within government organisations to manage access to information systems within and between agencies.

Interoperability

The ability of government organisations to share information and to integrate information and business processes by agreeing to use common standards.

Metadata

Electronic catalogue entries that describe information and services in a structured way. The information in a library card system is metadata that helps you find the books you want.

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)

A lock and key system that allows one person to scramble information before sending it to another in a way that can be unscrambled only by a person holding the appropriate key.

Portal

A website that helps people find information and services. The government portal will help people find the information and services government organisations provide. It will be like an online reception desk for the whole of government.

Thesaurus

A list of terms that (1) allows government organisations to describe the information and services they offer in a consistent way and (2) allows people looking for the information and services to use terms they are familiar with, rather than the ones government organisations choose to use.