Information Technology A Definition:

We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as necessary.

History of Information Technology:

In relative terms, it wasn't long ago that the Information Technology department might have consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere. The history of information technology is fascinating! Check out these history of information technology resources for information on everything from the history of IT to electronics inventions and even the top 10 IT bugs.

Modern Information Technology Departments:

In order to perform the complex functions required of information technology departments today, the modern Information Technology Department would use computers, servers, database management systems, and cryptography. The department would be made up of several System Administrators, Database Administrators and at least one Information Technology Manager. The group usually reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Popular Information Technology Skills:

Some of the most popular information technology skills at the moment are:
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Computer Networking Information Security IT Governance ITIL Business Intelligence Linux Unix Project Management

For more information about technical skills that are popular in the job market, check out the IT Career Skills List..

Information Technology Certifications:

Having a solid education and specific specialty certifications is the best way to progress in an information technology career. Here are some of the more popular information technology certifications:
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Information Security Certifications

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Oracle DBA Certifications Microsoft Certifications Cisco Certifications PMP Certification

Jobs in IT:
There can be a lot of overlap between many of the job descriptions within information technology departments. In order to clarify the descriptions, skills and career paths of each, I have put together a Jobs in IT listing. The jobs in IT listing includes information on education and training required for each position. It also includes lists of companies that typically have IT jobs open, as well as links to IT-specific resumes, cover letters and IT interview questions.

Information Technology - Trends:

Information Technology Departments will be increasingly concerned with data storage and management, and will find that information security will continue to be at the top of the priority list. Cloud computing remains a growing area to watch. The job outlook for those within Information Technology is strong, with data security and server gurus amongst the highest paid techies. Check out the Information Security Certifications and Highest Paying Certifications for more information. In order to stay current in the Information Technology Industry, be sure you subscribe to top technology industry publications.

Computer Networking Information: Computer Networking

Computer Networking is a focus within engineering that deals with communication between computer systems or devices. Computer networking is often considered a sub-discipline of a few areas: telecommunications, computer science, information technology and/or computer engineering. Computer networks rely heavily on the theoretical and practical application of each of these engineering disciplines.

Information Security:
Definition: Information security refers to protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The goals of information security include protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. All organizations, including governments, military, financial institutions, hospitals, and private businesses, gather and store a great deal of confidential information about their employees, customers, products, research, and financial operations. Most of this information is collected, processed and stored on electronically and transmitted across networks to other computers.

All About IT Governance

Definition: IT Governance, or Information Technology Governance, is a subset of Corporate Governance focused on information technology (IT) systems performance and risk management. There is a continual interest in IT governance as a result of compliance initiatives and the knowledge that IT projects can easily get out of control and have a serious effect on the performance of a company. A characteristic theme of IT governance discussions is that IT can no longer operate in a black box. Traditionally, board-level executives stayed out of the IT decision making process. IT governance implies a system in which all stakeholders, including the board, have input into the information technology decision making process. This prevents IT from independently making decisions that can affect the outcome of the entire organization. A popular new certification program has been implemented by the It's called Certified in the Governance of Enterprise Information Technology or certification is an advanced certification created in 2007. It is designed for experienced professionals serving in a management or advisory role focused on the governance and control of IT at an enterprise level. Protecting confidential information is a business requirement, and in many cases also an ethical and legal requirement. For the individual, information security has a significant effect on privacy and identity theft. The field of information security has grown significantly in recent years. There are many areas for specialization including Information Systems Auditing, Business Continuity Planning and Digital Forensics Science, for example. There are also specific information security technical certifications that can assist getting started in this field. More information about Information Security and the Information Technology industry can