Professional Practice in Informational Technology Field - Term Paper Example

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN IT - ANALYTICAL REPORT/E-PORTFOLIO: INDUSTRY ANALYSIS, RESUME AND FIVE-YEAR PLAN By Date: Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 3 Body 3 Industry Analysis 3 Conclusion 6 Recommendations 6 5-Year Plan 1 7 5-Year Plan 2 8 Resume 9 OBJECTIVE 9 SKILLS PROFILE 9 EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 9 EDUCATION 9 Executive Summary This report examines the state of the IT industry and the learning requirements needed in the corporate world with reference to the role played by information technology systems. By conducting an industry study regarding information management, it was observed that IT is an essential business input as well as a threat to corporate operations. Additionally, the report identified information security and management to be two major areas requiring students to prepare for future information-technology based corporate operations. The report concludes that information technology status favors contemporary business models and students following their academic careers in IT should consider information security a universal requirement since future corporations aim at capitalizing on e-marketing and big data management. Introduction The IT industry has grown immensely in the last 1 decade. The developments in the IT industry have enabled companies to be more proactive at producing products that match 21st century customer demands. In order to produce efficient manpower for the contemporary corporate environment, human resource competencies in the field of information management sector are essential for future corporate careers. Body Industry Analysis The IT industry has grown for the last one decade to be one of the most important industries in the contemporary 21st century business environment. The IT industry has expanded to dimensions that capture every contemporary business entity such as organization and manufacturing companies. Contemporary industries and business models rely on information technology to ensure processes are made quicker and utilization of resources is optimal. On the other, IT has become part of everyone’s daily life activities. People from around the world require information technology in form of telephony and cyber space to communicate with each other at personal and business level. Companies on the other hand, are hiring innovative workforce trained and developed to undertake 21st century customer demands as well as level of competition among companies and business models. Based on the above information, it is seen that information technology has emerged to be one among the most useful industries affecting and influencing other industries at a large scale. The use of information technology in the 21st century involves the easing of manufacturing processes at the company level through the implementation of information systems that can provide data and analyze it with reference to the industry demand. In addition, the popular belief that information technology has advanced does not indicate precisely how it has done so from contemporary research. There is a gap in knowledge between how companies envision the use information technology and how users of the technology understand about it. The 21st century business environment requires companies to have information systems installed and maintained to ensure that industry and market data can be analyzed. This need has increased information technology courses in educational sector to ensure that sufficient workforce is supplied to the job market. However, based on technological advancement, it is almost irrelevant for academic students to learn information technology without focusing on more than one area IT specialty. IT has grown to include fields such as data security, information systems management, information management, programming, web applications, and cloud computing among others (Jones, & Teevan, 2011). As a way of being useful in the contemporary business environment, various needs for knowledge preparation are required to ensure that individuals are prepared to handle future corporate needs. Some of the current needs in the IT industry include the need for faster information systems capable of processing large amounts of data and within a short duration. Accuracy in information management is required in the analysis of data as small errors in the analysis of industry or market information can mislead a company and lead to corporate problems such as poor forecasting and weak preparedness. Following the dire need for information-technology-competent workforce, information management is one among the most sensitive areas of IT that companies around the world have no choice but to invest heavily. On the other hand, the academic sphere offers IT students with learning and knowledge opportunities that aim at meeting the industry’s knowledge requirements (Rajaraman, 2013). Information management is a duty of every corporation to secure and incorporate in its daily activities. Based on this need, information management has become one of the most important yet the most risky area within the corporate environment. The current state of IT and with reference to information management, shows that it is inevitable for companies to invest in information protection while at the same time they have to provide information to customers regarding their business needs, strategies, revelations, and competitive positions. In this case, information management involves information security which is an area of information technology that cannot be ignored based on the vulnerability of the industry. Corporations require data analysts while at the same time they demand data security to ensure that sensitive information does not leak to the wrong hands. The cost of information management and the cost of the information itself is high and requires every company to protect its data at all costs. In this case, there is a learning need for individuals specializing in information technology fields to ensure that they are able to provide manpower that matches these needs. Information management involves the acquisition of data, analysis of data, presentation of results, and making of strategic decisions based on output. Information security on the other hand, is the protection of data sources as well as analyzed information. Information management also covers information security and requires students taking IT courses to learn and practice modern methods in the acquisition and safeguarding of information. A major problem facing corporations is the ability of hackers to access sensitive information with malice intentions, espionage motives, or blackmail purposes. It is through information security knowledge that sensitive data can be protected at the corporate level. However, to get there, current IT students majoring in information management and other related IT courses are required by virtual to be efficient in ensuring data protection skills are up to date in curbing cyber threats whose cost of handling is far higher than preparation and development of such skills. As the technological environment continues to take major role in the business environment, future workforce is required to keep pace with the possible threats to information management while at the same time adapting and upgrading current systems to include sophisticated solutions and defense mechanisms against attacks. Conclusion Information technology has developed to be one of the most widely dependent on industries. From academics to business environment, information technology has been of major use in ensuring that processes are more efficient and costs are managed. However, there is a knowledge gap that requires future information technology students to be well-versed in information management and especially in information security. The current state of IT shows that anyone can develop skills that can be useful or harmful to corporations. Following the threat of information loss, unauthorized access, or corporate espionage; information security competences are essential and necessary in the protection of sensitive information within the 21st century business environment (Vacca, 2012). Recommendations As the world responds to the effects of globalization such as connectedness in terms of communication channels, corporations look forward to training and developing workforce with information management skills that can ensure data security is guaranteed despite the onset of web application tools potentially capable of providing hackers with upper hand at accessing sensitive information. In this case, it is recommended that future workforce which is comprised of current IT students, should take increased interest in information security as the future of corporations is based mainly on information exchange and security of that asset. 5-Year Plan 1 Knowledge Requirements 2015-2016: Enroll for information systems management course 2016-2017: Study of information management for networked systems 2017-2018: Study information management for remote systems 2018-2019: Learn and participate in ethical hacking to test systems vulnerabilities 2020-2021: Organize and support information systems’ knowledge disbursement Competency Requirements 2015-2016: Develop competence in information systems management 2016-2017: Develop practical experience on how to protect networked systems 2017-2018: Participate in securing information systems remotely 2018-2019: Offer IT consultation services for testing system’s vulnerabilities. 2020-2021: Host information system’s forums to share practical experience with upcoming IT technicians. 5-Year Plan 2 Knowledge Requirements 2015-2016: Study computer networks’ security 2016-2017: Study computer networks’ vulnerabilities 2017-2018: Acquire training and development in an IT company 2018-2019: Apply academic knowledge and corporate training to develop virtual networks’ security tools 2020-2021: Open a computer network security consultation firm. Competency Requirements 2015-2016: Develop network security knowledge 2016-2017: Participate in computer network security-tools’ development 2017-2018: Offer practical solutions to computer network vulnerabilities 2018-2019: Develop beta versions of virtual network security tools 2020-2021: Offer computer network protection tools, service, and expert opinion to corporates and for personal needs. Resume [Your Name] [Street Address], [City, ST ZIP Code] [phone] [e-mail] OBJECTIVE [Position] SKILLS PROFILE EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Latest Position Year-Year Company, City, State Position 2: Year-Year Company, City, State Position 1 Year-Year Company, City, State EDUCATION Level Year-Year School, City, State Level School, City, State Year-Year References Jones, J., & Teevan, J. (2011). Personal Information Management. University of Washington Press Rajaraman, V. (2013). Introduction to Information Technology. New Dheli; PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. Vacca, J. (2012). Computer and Information Security Handbook. Pomeroy, Ohio; Newnes. Read More