What is a group of computers connected through a secure network in a single area known as?

A group of computers connected through a secure network in a single area is known as a Local Area Network (LAN). This type of network typically covers a small geographic area, such as a home, office, or building. A LAN allows multiple devices to communicate and share resources, such as files, applications, and printers, facilitating collaboration among users in close proximity.

The characteristics of a LAN include its relatively high data transfer rates and low latency due to the limited physical distance between devices, which is ideal for local connectivity. Security protocols can be easily implemented to safeguard the network's data and resources, making it a reliable choice for organizations and individuals.

While cloud services refer to resources being hosted on external servers accessed over the internet, and WAN (Wide Area Network) describes networks that span a large geographical area connecting multiple LANs, the specific focus on computers networked securely in a confined area clearly aligns with the definition of a LAN. Portals typically refer to web-based platforms used for accessing information or services, rather than the configuration of networking systems.