Cyber Careers: The Basics of Information Technology and Deciding on a Career Path

99 Pages·2022·3.253 MB·English

by  Pee Vululleh

C C
yber areers

C C
yber areers
The Basics of Information
Technology and Deciding on a
Career Path
Pee Vululleh, PhD
First Edition published 2022
by CRC Press
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-1-032-06843-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-06844-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-20411-4 (ebk)
DOI: 10.1201/9781003204114
Typeset in Caslon
by SPi Technologies India Pvt Ltd (Straive)
Contents
Chapter 1 IntroduCtIon to InformatIon teChnology 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 What is Information Technology? 1
1.2.1 What is Information? 1
1.2.2 The Need for Information 3
1.2.3 What is Technology? 3
1.2.4 Information Technology Defined 4
1.3 Origins of Information Technology 5
1.4 The Internet 6
1.5 The Purpose of Information Technology 7
1.6 Chapter Summary 7
Chapter Review Questions 8
Multiple Choice Questions 8
True or False 9
Fill in the Blanks 10
Chapter 2 hardware 11
2.1 Introduction 11
2.2 Hardware 11
2.2.1 Random-Access Memory 13
2.2.2 Hard Disk 13
2.2.3 Graphics Card 13
2.2.4 Monitor 14
2.2.5 Central Processing Unit 14
2.2.6 Mouse 14
2.2.7 Keyboard 15
2.2.8 Printer 15
V
Vi Contents
2.3 Hardware Dependence (Reliance) 15
2.4 Hardware Failure 16
2.5 Hardware Durability 16
2.6 Chapter Summary 16
Chapter Review Questions 17
Multiple Choice Questions 17
True or False 17
Fill in the Blanks 18
Chapter 3 Software 19
3.1 Introduction 19
3.2 Software 19
3.3 Types of Software 20
3.3.1 Operating System 20
3.3.2 Application Software 21
3.4 Chapter Summary 22
Chapter Review Questions 23
Multiple Choice Questions 24
Fill in the Blanks 25
Chapter 4 CommunICatIon network 27
4.1 Introduction 27
4.2 Computer Networks 28
4.2.1 Hardware Aspects of Networks 29
4.2.2 Software Aspects of Networks 30
4.3 Types of Networks 30
4.3.1 Local Area Network 30
4.3.2 Wide Area Network 31
4.4 Network Operating System 32
4.4.1 Client-Server Network 33
4.4.2 Functions of the Client-Server Network 33
4.4.3 Advantages and Disadvantages 34
4.4.4 Peer-to-Peer Networks 35
4.4.5 Advantages and Disadvantages 35
4.5 Network Devices 36
4.5.1 Network Topologies 37
4.5.2 Open System Interconnection 39
4.6 Chapter Summary 39
Chapter Review Questions 41
Multiple Choice Questions 41
True or False 42
Fill in the Blanks 42
Chapter 5 CareerS In InformatIon teChnology 43
5.1 Introduction 43
5.2 Are You a Fit for an IT Career? 43
5.3 Education and Degrees 44
5.3.1 Information Technology Certification 44
Contents Vii
5.3.2 Associate Degrees in IT 44
5.3.3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Information Technology 45
5.3.4 Master’s Degrees in Information Technology 45
5.3.5 Doctoral Degrees in Information Technology 46
5.3.6 Continuing Education 46
5.4 IT Fields 47
5.4.1 Computer Engineering 47
5.4.2 Management Information Systems 47
5.4.3 Computer Information Systems 47
5.5 Careers in IT 48
5.6 Projection of IT Career Growth 48
5.7 Further Considerations 50
5.8 Chapter Summary 50
Chapter Review Questions 50
Multiple Choice Questions 51
True or False 52
Chapter 6 why ChooSe a Career In the It fIeld? 53
6.1 Introduction 53
6.2 Ever-Changing Industry 53
6.3 High Income 54
6.4 Low-Cost Education 55
6.5 Job Security 56
6.6 Learning New Skills 57
6.7 Always in Demand 58
6.8 Job Diversity 58
6.9 Chapter Summary 59
Chapter Review Questions 60
Chapter 7 formIng an It Career plan 61
7.1 Introduction 61
7.2 Getting Started in Information Technology 61
7.3 Identify Your Passions 62
7.4 Shorten Your Interest List 63
7.5 Network 63
7.6 Networking Techniques 64
7.7 Build a Robust Curriculum Vitae 64
7.8 Go on the Job Hunt 65
7.9 Chapter Summary 65
Chapter Review Questions 66
Chapter 8 InformatIon teChnology and SoCIety 67
8.1 Introduction 67
8.2 Business 67
8.3 Education 68
8.3.1 E-Learning 68
8.3.2 Digital Library 69
8.4 Communication 69
Viii Contents
8.5 Healthcare 70
8.6 Banking and Finance 70
8.7 Security 71
8.8 Research 72
8.9 How IT Professionals Fit into Society 72
8.10 Chapter Summary 72
Chapter Review Questions 73
True or False 73
Fill in the Blanks 73
Chapter 9 future trendS In It 75
9.1 Introduction 75
9.2 Future Trends in IT 75
9.2.1 Artificial Intelligence 75
9.2.2 5G 76
9.2.3 Driverless Cars 76
9.2.4 Internet of Things 77
9.2.5 Digital Platforms 77
9.2.6 Remote Work 78
9.3 Chapter Summary 79
gloSSary 81
anSwer key 83
Index 87
1
I
ntroductIon to
I t
nformatIon echnology
1.1 Introduction
Information technology is not a new thing; it has been around for a
long time. Humans have always found ways to communicate better
and faster, adapting technology to suit the communication styles of
their specific age and generation. During the pre-mechanical period,
for instance, people used simple pictures to map territories, tell sto-
ries, and so on. The Information Age (or Digital Age) introduced
computer technology to disseminate information easily, quickly, and
widely. This chapter introduces students to the basic definition of
information technology.
1.2 W hat is Information Technology?
So what is information technology?
For many people, the phrase information technology or IT involves
the person you call when your computer has a problem. While that
view of IT is not entirely wrong, it understates the scope of this criti-
cal career field. If you are not in the field of IT yourself, you might
not know and understand just how IT affects your life. To better grasp
information technology, you must first define each term (information
and technology) separately. Knowing the meaning of each will then
give you a better understanding of their combined meaning. Let us
begin with the term information.
1.2.1 W hat is Information?
Information is processed data on which our decisions and actions are
based. Data are the raw material like numbers or words (see Figure 1.1).
Whereas data are the collection of facts, information is how you
DOI: 10.1201/9781003204114-1 1