What does 'virtualization' refer to in the context of IT?

In the context of IT, virtualization refers to the creation of virtual versions of physical computing resources. This includes virtual machines, virtual storage, and virtual networks, allowing multiple virtual environments to run on a single physical machine. By abstracting the underlying hardware, virtualization enables more efficient resource utilization, simplifies management, and supports flexibility in deployment. Organizations can run multiple operating systems on a single server, experiment with new configurations, and optimize workloads without the need for additional physical hardware. This results in reduced costs and improved scalability.

The other options touch on aspects of IT infrastructure but do not accurately capture the essence of virtualization. The first option speaks to physical duplication, which contrasts with the core principle of virtualization that emphasizes abstraction. The third option mentions data security, which can be enhanced through measures that utilize virtualization, but this is not the primary definition of the term. Finally, while using physical servers for multiple applications relates to resource efficiency, it does not encompass the broader concept of abstraction and virtualization.