Technical debt refers to the future costs and complications that arise when organizations use outdated, inefficient, or quick-fix technology solutions. These shortcuts may help deliver results faster in the short term, but they accumulate over time, making systems harder to maintain, update, or secure. Like financial debt, technical debt must eventually be 'repaid' through extra work, which can slow down innovation, increase risks, and raise costs. Managing technical debt is crucial for maintaining secure, flexible, and efficient IT systems.