Information technology (IT)

What is information technology?

Information technology (IT) is the use of computers, storage, networking
and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create,
process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data. Typically,
IT is used in the context of business operations, as opposed to the
technology used for personal or entertainment purposes. The commercial
use of IT encompasses both computer technology
and telecommunications.

Harvard Business Review coined the term information technology in 1958

to distinguish between purpose-built machines designed to perform a
limited scope of functions and general-purpose computing machines that
could be programmed for various tasks.

Types of information technology

• Internet and web technologies: - This includes the tools and
protocols used to access, navigate and interact with information
on the internet. Examples include web browsers, websites, web
servers, Hypertext Markup Language, cascading style
sheets, JavaScript, HTTP and other internet-related technologies.

• Cloud computing. This involves the delivery of computing

resources and services over the internet on a pay-per-use basis.
This can include infrastructure as a service, platform as a
service, software as a service and cloud storage options.

• Databases. This includes IT systems and software used to store,

organize and retrieve data. Examples include MySQL, NoSQL,
relational database management systems and MongoDB.
 • Artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI and ML-based
IT technologies use algorithms and statistical models to enable
computers to perform tasks that typically require human
intelligence. Examples include speech recognition, image
recognition and natural language processing.

• Cybersecurity. This type of IT includes technologies and best

practices designed to protect IT systems, networks and data from
unauthorized access, cyber attacks and other security threats.
Cybersecurity can be enforced through firewalls, antivirus
software, encryption, intrusion detection systems and security
policies.

• Internet of things. This includes the network of interconnected

devices and sensors that collect, exchange and analyze data. IoT
technologies enable the integration of physical objects into
computer systems, providing automation, monitoring and control
in various domains.

• IT governance. This involves making policies and rules for the

organization to ensure effective operation.

• Data analytics and business intelligence. BI focuses on tools

and techniques for extracting insights from large data sets to
support decision-making and business operations. This can
include data mining, statistical analysis, data visualization
and predictive modeling.

What does information technology encompass?

The IT department ensures that the organization's systems, networks,
applications, data and information all connect and function properly. The IT
team handles the following three major areas:

1. Deploying and maintaining business applications, services

and infrastructure -- including servers, networks and storage.
 2. Monitoring, optimizing and troubleshooting the performance
of applications, services and infrastructure.

3. Overseeing the security and governance of applications,

services and infrastructure.

Why is information technology

important?
It's been said that data is what powers industries worldwide. That might be
hyperbole, but few businesses -- large or small -- can remain competitive
without the ability to collect data and turn it into useful information. IT
provides the means to develop, process, analyze, exchange, store and
secure information.

Data processing plays a significant role in the following core business

practices:

• Product development and design.

• Marketing and market research.

• Sales and invoicing.

• Data analysis and decision-making.

• Customer development and retention.

• Accounting and taxes.

• Human resources and payroll.

• Regulatory compliance.
Information technology plays a vital role
for businesses in the following ways:
1. Helps Communication and Teamwork: IT makes it easy to
communicate and work together, no matter where you are in the
world. For example, big companies with offices in different countries
can use video calls and instant messaging to talk and work together.

2. Makes Computing Everywhere: Today, technology is in almost

everything we use. It's not just about computers anymore. We use
phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, and even smart devices
like doorbells, thermostats, and kitchen gadgets. This is called
"pervasive computing," which means technology is a part of our daily
lives and work.

3. Improves Efficiency and Productivity: IT helps businesses work

faster and more efficiently. It automates tasks, making work easier.
For example, a store can use IT to track products in real-time and
automatically reorder stock when it runs out.

4. Gives Access to Information: IT allows us to find and use a huge

amount of information from databases and online libraries. This helps
people and businesses make better decisions and stay updated with
the latest news and developments.

5. Encourages Creativity and New Ideas: IT helps people come up

with new ideas and solve problems. For example, software
developers can use IT tools to work together, try new things, and
create new software by testing and improving it.

6. Supports Important Business Tasks: IT helps businesses run

smoothly by managing things like operations, money, marketing, and
customer service. For example, customer service teams use IT to
 talk to customers, solve problems, and get feedback to improve their
services.

7. Helps with Learning and Research: IT is important in education

and research. It gives access to online learning materials and makes
distance learning possible, so people can study from anywhere. It
also supports research, helping students and scientists find
information and share ideas.

8. Saves Money: IT helps businesses and individuals save money by

reducing the need for paper, manual work, and physical spaces. This
means fewer costs for everyone.

9. Connects to the Internet: Most IT devices connect to the internet,

which links billions of devices around the world. This helps us stay
connected and access information easily from anywhere.

Examples of information technology

So how is IT involved in day-to-day business? Consider the following six
common examples of IT and teams at work:

1. Server upgrade. One or more data center servers are near the end
of their operational and maintenance lifecycle. IT staff will perform
the following:

o Select and procure replacement servers.

o Configure and deploy the new servers.

o Back up applications and data on existing servers.

o Transfer that data and applications to the new servers.

o Validate that the new servers are working properly.

 o Repurpose or decommission and dispose of the old
servers.

2. Security monitoring. Businesses routinely use tools to monitor

and log activity in applications, networks and systems. IT staff
receive alerts of potential threats or noncompliant behavior, such
as a user attempting to access a restricted file; check logs and
other reporting tools to investigate and determine the root cause
of the alert; take prompt action to address and remediate the
threat, often driving changes and improvements to security
posture that can prevent similar events in the future.

3. New software. The business determines a need for a new mobile

application that can enable customers to log in and access
account information or conduct other transactions from
smartphones and tablets. Developers work to create and refine a
suitable application according to a planned roadmap. Operations
staff post each iteration of the new mobile application for
download and deploy the back-end components of the app to the
organization's infrastructure.

4. Business improvement. A business requires more availability

from a critical application to help with revenue or business
continuance strategies. The IT staff might be called upon to
architect a high-availability cluster to provide greater performance
and resilience for the application to ensure that it can continue to
function in the face of single outages. This can be paired with
enhancements to data storage protection and recovery.
5. User support. Developers are building a major upgrade for a
vital business application. Developers and admins collaborate to
create new documentation for the upgrade. IT staff might deploy
the upgrade for limited beta testing -- enabling a select group of
users to try the new version -- while also developing and
delivering comprehensive training that prepares all users for the
new version's eventual release.
6. Digital workplace organization. Employees in a bustling office
are wasting too much time trying to locate paper documents, files
and office supplies that are scattered throughout the workspace.
The office has decided to incorporate a digital filing and inventory
management system. Each document in the office is scanned and
stored electronically and tagged with relevant keywords.
Additionally, office supplies are also tracked in a digital inventory
database. Now, whenever an employee needs to access a
document or find a tool, they promptly open the digital inventory
system. With just a quick search, they pinpoint the precise file or
item along with its current physical location in the workspace. This
enhances the efficiency and productivity of the employees.