Statistical Terms Glossary

Is a non-volatile memory card format developed by Panasonic, SanDisk, and Toshiba for use in portable devices. Currently it is widely used in digital cameras, digital camcorders, handheld computers, netbook computers, PDAs, media players, mobile phones, GPS receivers, and video games. Standard SD card capacities have a maximum of 2 GB.

A virtual private network , Platform for secure payments (Banks, Financial Institutions, Public Sector), Increased ability to manage market liquidity & risks, Electronic end-to-end processing at all levels of interaction
Assured reliability & integrity of strategic information, Electronic Reporting, Web-based Application, Real Time Settlement System, Automated Clearing House, Treasury Management System, and Help desk

A 160-bit hash function, mandated by the National Institute for Standards Technology (NIST), with security mechanisms similar to MD5. SHA-1 is defined by the United States Government in FIPS 180-1. It is a mechanism to reduce a lengthy text message to a short digest of 160 bits that is both one-way (i.e. non-reversible) and not susceptible to collisions from multiple different texts. Because SHA generates a 160-bit hash (message digest) it is much safer from brute-force cryptographic attacks than MD5. Digests are best thought of as the digital fingerprint of a message. It is a relatively fast, low-overhead and secure algorithm. SHA-1 can be used to support integrity protection (by itself), or for non-repudiation (in conjunction with public key encryption). The SHA-1 Message Digest Algorithm is described in Appendix II.

S-HTTP (Secure HTTP) is an extension to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) that allows the secure exchange of files on the World Wide Web. Each S-HTTP file is either encrypted, contains a digital certificate, or both. For a given document, S-HTTP is an alternative to another well-known security protocol, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). A major difference is that S-HTTP allows the client to send a certificate to authenticate the user whereas, using SSL, only the server can be authenticated. S-HTTP is more likely to be used in situations where the server represents a bank and requires authentication from the user that is more secure than a user Id and password.

A highly secure and reliable network. Full redundancy, advanced recovery mechanisms and first class operations and customer support services ensure continuous network availability.

Secure tenure is the right of all individuals and groups to effective protection by the State against arbitrary unlawful evictions. People have secure tenure when there is evidence of documentation that can be used as proof of secure tenure status or when there is either de facto or perceived protection against forced evictions.

A physical device that an authorized user of computer services is given to ease authentication. The term may also refer to software tokens.
Security tokens are used to prove one's identity electronically (as in the case of a customer trying to access their bank account). The token is used in addition to or in place of a password to prove that the customer is who they claim to be. The token acts like an electronic key to access something.

A loan in which the borrower pledges something of value as security in case of default on the loan.

Person carrying out systematic assessment of securities as a basis for investment strategy.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is a United States Federal agency that regulates and supervises the selling of securities to prevent fraud and unfair practices and to maintain fair and orderly markets

Firm acting as a principal rather than an agent in the securities market.

Securities dealers include individuals or firms that specialize in security market transactions by (1) assisting firms in issuing new securities through the underwriting and market placement of new security issues, and (2) trading in new or outstanding securities on their own account. Only underwriters and dealers that act as financial intermediaries are classified within this category. Security brokers and other units that arrange trades between security buyers and sellers but do not purchase and hold securities on their own account are classified as financial auxiliaries.

A type of serious white-collar crime in which a person or company, such as a stockbroker, brokerage firm, corporation or investment bank, misrepresents information that investors use to make decisions. Securities Fraud can also be committed by independent individuals (such as by engaging in insider trading).

Securities lending refers to an arrangement whereby a security holder transfers securities to a “borrower,” subject to the stipulation that the same (or similar) securities be returned on a specified date or on demand. “Full, unfettered ownership” is transferred to the “borrower,” but the risks and benefits of ownership remain with the original owner. The practice is undertaken by owners of securities to raise the return on the securities and/or to reduce the cost of custody

Special account opened by private individuals for the purchase of securities, paid for partially by cash payments and partially on credit given by the broker up to a limit fixed by law.

The primary and secondary market for negotiable equity (stocks) and long-term debt instruments (bonds).

Securities other than shares consist of bills, bonds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, debentures, and similar instruments normally traded in the financial markets

A system which permits the holding and transfer of securities, either free of payment or against payment (delivery versus payment) or against another asset (delivery versus delivery). It comprises all the institutional and technical arrangements required for the settlement of securities trades and the safekeeping of securities. The system can operate on a real-time gross settlement, gross settlement or net settlement basis. A settlement system allows for the calculation (clearing) of the obligations of participants.

Securities underwriters and dealers include individuals or firms that specialize in security market transactions by:
(1) assisting firms in issuing new securities through the underwriting and market placement of new security issues; and
(2) trading in new or outstanding securities on their own account. Only underwriters and dealers that act as financial intermediaries are classified in this category.
Security brokers and other units that arrange trades between security buyers and sellers but do not purchase and hold securities on their own account are classified as financial auxiliaries