Information Technology


Information Technology (IT) is the use of any computers, storage, networking and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data. In the past few decades there has been a revolution in computing and communications, and all indications are that technological progress and use of information technology will continue at a rapid pace.

IT has significant applications in the fields of education, E-Commerce, Office automation systems, health care, energy conservation and environmental management to a great extent. Industrial applications of IT range from product designing / product processing and inventory management to distribution systems. IT applications in commerce include e-banking, credit cards, stock exchanges gaining global information, expert management, etc. IT plays important role in almost every sphere of human endeavor.

While IT is often used to describe computers and computer networks, it actually  includes all layers of all systems within an organization -- from the physical hardware to the operating systems, applications, databases, storage, servers and more. Telecommunication technologies, including Internet and business phones are also part of an organization's IT infrastructure.

Career prospects in Information Technology

IS Auditor/IT Auditor:An IT auditor participates in projects and assignments that improve internal processes and performances. They report problems, analyze data and increase internal controls. The bulk of their work involves the collection and examination of data from database, software programs and information management systems. Most IT auditors work for in the fields of finance, education, technology, compliance and health care. IT auditors who work in finance or accounting firms will evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the organization’s IT systems and internal controls against policies and regulations. They may be required to research, interpret, and evaluate the compliance expectations against contractual requirements or government regulations. IT auditors will communicate with external auditors who are either consultants or employed by regulatory bodies. IT auditors provide guidance to coworkers and management regarding accounting discrepancies, compliance vulnerabilities and internal controls.

IT auditors identify, document, summarize and present audit findings to external shareholders, such as regulatory bodies, and internal shareholders, such as executives. Their final reports include optional recommendations and mandatory corrective actions. They will regularly conduct ad-hoc internal reviews and operational audits of IT system components. IT auditors will deal with business ethics, risk management, organizational structure, business processes and governance oversight.

IT Auditors must have detailed attention, the ability to re-prioritize tasks throughout the day and extensive expertise in IT systems, infrastructure and applications. They should be customer focused, which means they will have excellent interpersonal skills to influence others, and technical skills, which gives them the ability to identify IT issues and develop corresponding solutions. They should have the ability to create customized solutions of differing scope, flexibility and complexity. Their excellent analytical and communication skills will help them accurately document and present data in non-technical terms. They should be comfortable interacting with senior managers and external parties, and responsible enough to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information. They must know how to organize, schedule and adjust workloads to meet established deadlines and milestones. They must know how to establish, execute and evaluate risk-based plans and monitoring programs.

IT Architect: An Information Technology Architect is the individual responsible for linking computer technology decision making and investments with an organization's tech business strategy.  The individual is responsible for organizing a consensus of decisions on policies, principles, services, standards, guidelines, and common solutions for the betterment of the company or organization. IT Architects are responsible for guiding the process of planning acquiring, building, modifying, and deploying IT resources throughout a given department.

IT Director: The information technology director oversees the information technology strategy for an organization, developing and implementing the policies and goals for the IT department. The IT director analyzes the business requirements of different departments and conducts feasibility studies to determine the best use of technical resources. Technical investments may include a new information system or upgrades to hardware or software components. The IT director coordinates information systems managers and reports to the chief information officer. Information technology directors typically advance into the role after years of experience (generally, 8-10 years) as an information systems (IS) manager. IS managers need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or management information systems. An MBA in information technology management broadens a manager's business perspective and boosts advancement potential.

IT Specialist: An information technology specialist applies technical expertise to the implementation, monitoring, or maintenance of IT systems. Specialists typically focus on a specific computer network, database, or systems administration function. Specialty areas include network analysis, system administration, security and information assurance, IT audit, database administration, web administration, and more. Education requirements vary depending on the IT specialty. While some IT specialists work their way up with professional certifications, most experts begin their careers with an information technology degree at the associate or bachelor level. IT certifications are useful for building specialist expertise and staying up to date on the latest advances in a specific area of information technology. 

IT Manager: An Information Technology Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining an organization's technology infrastructure. Businesses rely on a central information processing system to support efficient data management and communications. The IT manager monitors the organization's operational requirements, researches strategies and technology solutions, and builds the most cost-effective and efficient system to achieve those goals. A bachelor's degree in computer science, management information systems, or a related field is the minimum qualification for an information technology management position. In view of the additional business savvy required in a management position, many aspiring IT managers supplement their computer training with an MBA degree.

IT Supervisor: The IT supervisor works with other information technology management professionals to install, maintain, and upgrade an organization's technology systems. Supervisors generally oversee a team of IT administrators and support personnel responsible for the day-to-day operation of the IT network and system components.Since they are closely involved in the maintenance of information systems, IT supervisors come to the position with a solid technical background. An online computer science degree or IT degree may offer the necessary foundation for the career. IT supervisors generally have a bachelor's degree; advancement to management-level IT careers is possible with an MBA degree or advanced coursework in management information systems.

IT Trainer: Information technology trainers may teach IT administrative support staff or an organization's non-technical business users how to operate, configure, and maintain new technology. Employed either in-house as part of the IT department or by a technology vendor, the information technology trainer helps a company get the most value from its investment in an IT solution. An information technology degree helps IT professionals build a foundation for a technical training career. In addition, IT trainers must stay up to date with evolving technology.

Chief information officer(CIO): This person is responsible for IT and computer systems that support the enterprise's goals.

Chief technology officer(CTO): This person sets all technology goals and policies within an organization.



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