Information technology (IT) is a professional and academic discipline focused on the use of computer systems to store, send, and receive information. IT is critical to the modern world’s infrastructure, and it is especially important for many business operations.

Are you thinking about a career in IT? If so, this article can help you understand what to expect.

What Is Information Technology?

The phrase information technology dates back to 1958 when researchers Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler coined the term in Harvard Business Review. Their article defined IT as a combination of three parts:

  1. Techniques for processing large amounts of information rapidly
  2. The use of statistical and mathematical methods for decision-making
  3. The simulation of “higher-order thinking” through computer programs

Naturally, the information technology field has evolved since 1958. Gartner defines IT as “the common term for the entire spectrum of technologies for information processing,” including software, hardware, communication tools, and related technology services.

As a business operation, IBM states that IT management “focuses on how to make information systems operate efficiently” and how to help people work better. With more organizations strategically investing in various information services, IT departments have become essential for staying current in today’s world. As IBM puts it, IT departments are “a fulcrum for reinvention.”

Information Technology vs. Computer Science

According to TechTarget, IT and computer science are similar but different disciplines. Although both are related to technology and overlap, their focus isn’t the same.

Computer scientists are more involved in designing and building computer programs, such as software applications. Much of their work includes software development, coding, engineering, and systems logic. By contrast, information technology professionals are more involved in applying those systems to address business issues. They monitor, maintain, and analyze computer programs and physical devices once they’re in use.

Types of Information Technology

Organizations implement a multitude of interdependent and connected information services and systems. As IBM explains, this is the information technology infrastructure — the “combined components needed for the operation and management of enterprise IT services and IT environments.”

Many technologies fall under the IT umbrella, including:

Hardware

Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer. It includes internal components, such as a computer’s motherboard or hard drive, and external devices that add or enhance functionality — monitors, keyboards, printers, etc.

According to IBM, hardware can also refer to larger pieces of the infrastructure. For example, an organization’s server room or data center are both considered hardware because they’re physical resources.

Software

Software is a set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do. It makes physical devices programmable, allowing them to execute specific actions. There are three main types of software:

  1. System software, such as an operating system, provides the computer's core functionality.
  2. Programming software allows a computer scientist to create code and write computer programs (i.e., software development).
  3. Application software helps users perform tasks. For instance, an IT professional might use a data management application to organize a company’s sensitive information.

While information technology professionals may not design and develop software, they’re often integral to maintaining it.

Networks

A computer network is a group of interconnected devices that exchange data. The network can be as small as two systems or as large as the internet. This enables communication between multiple computers throughout the infrastructure, even across different locations. Businesses rely on networking to keep employees connected, share resources, and deliver essential services.

Cloud Computing

Gartner defines cloud computing as “a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service using internet technologies.” Instead of keeping the entire infrastructure on-premises, it offloads certain resources and allows users to access them online from any location.

According to Marjorie Furay, MSIT, faculty member in the School of Business and Information Technology at Purdue Global, the cloud is “absolutely everywhere” after the rise of remote work. Now that many organizations have realized the benefits of off-premise technology, she sees a bright future for cloud computing.

In Furay's opinion, cloud computing is here to stay. "Businesses learned how they can work better, save money, and get things done faster,” she adds. “They can see each other when they need to — just pop a meeting on and [connect]."

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to “physical objects embedded with sensors that communicate with computers.” For instance, a smart thermostat is a web-connected device that monitors room temperature and can automatically adjust its settings to maintain a comfortable environment.

As McKinsey & Company explains, IoT devices have many professional use cases. Some industries, such as oil and gas exploration, may leverage sensors for predictive maintenance. Vehicle manufacturers often use them to collect data analytics on cars and trucks, which can help inform future designs.

As Furay explains, this area of IT is becoming increasingly relevant.

“IoT makes a lot of tasks simpler, so it works well within a business,” Furay says. “It’s something that’s going to grow with us.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of science that focuses on “building computers and machines that can reason, learn, and act” in a way that mirrors human intelligence or “involves data whose scale exceeds what humans can analyze.”

AI is a broad discipline that encompasses many subcomponents, including computer science, data analytics, software engineering, and more. In a business sense, AI solutions are primarily based on machine learning. This is a branch of AI where algorithms are trained to make predictions or categorize information. Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can create original content based on textual prompts.

Organizations can use this technology to forecast specific outcomes with high degrees of granularity. For instance, AI has been used to predict new pharmaceutical treatments and quantify the human genome.

Why Is Information Technology Important?

Technology underpins many essential functions and supports the organization in countless ways. They include:

  • Communication: IT systems and digital communication tools power collaboration across different locations. This allows remote employees to share ideas and work together.
  • Productivity: Technology streamlines critical processes and automates repetitive tasks, improving overall business efficiency.
  • Access to information: IT provides access to real-time information via online data. This allows users to make informed decisions based on the latest developments.
  • Cost savings: Information technology, such as cloud computing, minimizes the costs associated with manual, paper-based processes and on-premises infrastructure.

What Are the Functions of IT?

Information technology professionals are primarily responsible for IT operations (ITOps). This includes “implementing, managing, delivering, and supporting IT services to meet the business needs of internal and external users.”

No matter the industry, most of today’s organizations and their customers depend on reliable access to applications, information services, and other networking technologies. Even a brief outage can have a significant cost. As a result, the IT department’s job is to ensure these core systems function properly. This involves:

  • Managing resources: The IT department keeps the infrastructure running smoothly. This includes all computer hardware, software applications, networks, and data center locations.
  • Optimizing infrastructure: IT professionals also analyze systems, looking for ways to improve performance and reduce costs. Teams may document hardware configurations, manage IT workloads, implement hardware or operating system upgrades, and more.
  • Ensuring application performance: IT teams often collaborate with other stakeholders to see that software applications operate correctly and receive the necessary computing power. This work is designed to prevent slowdowns and service disruptions.
  • Help desk support: Many IT departments include a subset called the service desk, which helps users troubleshoot issues and pinpoint their root causes.
  • Incident and security management: Cybersecurity is an increasingly vital aspect of ITOps. It aims to protect an organization’s sensitive information from unauthorized access, deletion, and manipulation. IT professionals may perform data storage backups, develop recovery plans, and implement/manage various cybersecurity tools to defend against potential threats.

To that last point, Furay emphasizes how prominent cybersecurity has become. “It’s happening more and more where companies are getting hacked simply because the business side hasn’t thought about keeping the company secured,” she says. “We’ve seen it [happen] to gas, electric, water [companies]. These are big companies that you would think have everything secure already, but [security is] not in place because maybe IT didn’t think of it or there wasn’t an IT department in place to consider it.”

>>Want to learn more about cybersecurity? Check out these recent cybersecurity trends for more information.

Popular IT Jobs

The job outlook in the IT industry is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2033. In fact, the BLS projects over 350,000 job openings each year on average.

What could an IT career look like? Here are some common positions:

Computer Systems Analyst

A computer systems analyst studies an organization’s current computer systems and strategizes ways to improve them, thus increasing efficiency. Their job responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Researching different technologies to decide if they’d increase operational efficiency
  • Analyzing the costs and benefits of IT systems and upgrades
  • Devising ways to add functionality to existing systems
  • Overseeing the installation and configuration of new technologies

Overall, a systems analyst works alongside business leaders to help them understand how technology can best support the organization.

A bachelor's in IT or master's in IT can prepare you for a career as a computer systems analyst.

Computer Network Architect

A computer network architect, or network engineer, designs and implements data communication networks. Their duties include:

  • Creating plans and layouts for computer networks
  • Presenting designs to management, customers, or staff
  • Deploying planned networks
  • Testing to ensure proper implementation
  • Upgrading hardware, such as routers or adapters, to support the network

A bachelor's degree in IT can help prepare you for this career.

Information Security Analyst

An information security analyst plans and implements cybersecurity strategies to protect an organization’s IT infrastructure. Their responsibilities include:

  • Monitoring networks for malicious activities and security breaches
  • Using and maintaining software to protect sensitive information
  • Checking for vulnerabilities in computers and network systems
  • Researching the latest information security trends
  • Reporting attempted attacks and security breaches
  • Developing standards and best practices for the organization
  • Recommending security enhancements to management

A bachelor's in IT can help you pursue a career as an information security analyst.

Computer Support Specialist

A computer support specialist provides technical assistance to computer users and organizations. These specialists often directly help end-users by:

  • Testing and evaluating network systems
  • Performing regular maintenance to ensure smooth operation
  • Troubleshooting systems to pinpoint solutions
  • Guiding customers through problem-solving steps
  • Training users on new hardware or software

An associate degree in IT can help you prepare for this career.

Software Developer

A software developer designs computer programs and applications that allow users to perform specific tasks. Their responsibilities often involve:

  • Analyzing user requirements and designing software to meet those needs
  • Recommending upgrades for customers’ existing programs and systems
  • Planning how each piece of a system will work together
  • Creating models and diagrams to help programmers write code
  • Documenting all aspects of an application or system as a reference for future maintenance

A master's degree in IT can help you prepare for a software development career.

>>Learn more about the work performed by software developers.

The Future of IT

Information technology is a continuously evolving field. From artificial intelligence to cloud and quantum computing, recent innovations have caused an uptick in demand for skilled professionals. McKinsey & Company states that tech-related job postings increased by 8% between 2021 and 2023, showing potential for long-term growth.

Plus, businesses are investing more in technology than ever before. According to the Society for Information Management, here are organizations’ top 10 biggest IT investment priorities:

  1. Analytics/business intelligence/data mining/forecasting/big data
  2. Security/cybersecurity
  3. Application software development/maintenance
  4. Cloud computing
  5. Enterprise resource planning
  6. Customer relationship management
  7. Legacy applications
  8. AI/machine learning/expert systems
  9. Collaboration tools
  10. Data center/infrastructure

Is Studying IT the Right Move for You?

If you’re looking for a new opportunity or trying to take the next step in your IT career, Purdue Global offers several online programs to help you earn the right qualifications. Whether it is an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, you can access the education you need.

Ready to get started? Learn more about Purdue Global’s online IT degree programs. If you’d like more information, contact us today.

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