03/20/2025
Information technology (IT) refers to any equipment or system used for acquiring, storing, managing, or transmitting data, either directly or through contractors. This could include computers, software computer networks, firmware, services, and related resources essential for performing these tasks.
What is information technology? IT plays a central role in enabling business systems and organizations to manage their operations, streamline processes, and communicate effectively and efficiently.
The Foundation of IT: Computer Science
Computer science is a discipline that drives information technology, and provides the foundational knowledge and tools needed to develop, optimize, and manage the software and systems that information technology relies on. Computer science focuses on the logic and design of the components that information technology professionals use to assemble their own business processes, systems and operations.
Key contributions of computer science, and computer technology to information systems and computer systems to information technology may include:
- Software development: Drives the creation of software applications, operating systems and other tools to support information technology services.
- Data management: Enables efficient storage, retrieval or processing of data through algorithms, databases and data structures.
- Networking: Provides computer science theories and protocols for network design and management resulting in communication between data transmission in certain IT systems.
- Cybersecurity: Helps develop encryption techniques and secure communication protocols, and threat detection systems.
- Automation: Enables automation of tasks to help improve efficiency and reduce manual work.
Software Development: A Key Aspect of Information Technology
Software development plays a key role in IT by creating the applications, computer systems, and tools that enable businesses, organizations, and individuals to manage, process and analyze data from, and communicate information. It may also involve the design, development, testing, and technical support, and maintenance of software systems.
Information technology professionals may also use different programming languages and software development methodologies to create software systems.
Software development plays a crucial role in IT across multiple areas:
- Automation: Streamlines repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and potentially reduce human error in IT in data management or network monitoring for IT professionals.
- Core application development: Creates essential applications used in IT from operating systems to enterprise software for IT professionals.
- Security: Creates security tools, firewalls, encryptions systems and antivirus programs from potential cyber threats.
- Innovation and scalability: Innovates new ways to store, analyze and transmit data so IT systems can scale as businesses grow.
- Communication systems: Creates and manages email systems, messaging apps and different collaboration tools for IT professionals.
Typical Information Technology Careers and Professional Development
There are many different career possibilities for information technology professionals. Skills acquired from an undergraduate information technology program can be applicable across various industries. Information technology teams may seek a range of specialized information and technology skills and knowledge to support equipment, network architecture, computer operating systems, applications, and activities.
IT professionals may pursue careers as web developers, web publishers, programming analysts, database analysts electronic data mine, developers, architects, systems analysts, project managers, information technology managers, information technology professionals, software development professionals, network administration professionals, and data analysts.
The Importance of Information Technology in Business
IT plays an important role in many industries, influencing business operations and technology development. From data processing to making business operations run more efficiently, information technology is critical for organizations to operate securely.
Information technology is fundamental in enabling businesses to operate efficiently, protect their assets, adapt to changing markets, and provide better products and services to customers, making it an essential driver of growth and success in nearly every industry.
Emerging Trends in IT
As information technology evolves, it's driving innovation and transforming industries with new technologies that have the potential to improve efficiency, security, and customer experience.
Some key trends to watch in information technology include:
- AI and machine learning are being integrated into various IT processes, supporting predictive analytics and automation.
- Cloud computing may offer flexible and effective solutions for data storage, software and infrastructure.
- Cybersecurity is increasingly important as cyberthreats and cyber attacks are on the rise.
- Internet of Things (IoT) is also on the rise as more industries are adding everyday objects that are connected to the internet in healthcare, agriculture, home improvement and more.
- Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) provide immersive experiences for customers and employees in retail, entertainment, healthcare and more.
- Robotic Process Automation creates automatic, repetitive and rule-based tasks to free up human workers and focus on strategic and creative functions. These developments are often in finance, healthcare and customer service.
The Role of Data in IT
Data plays an important role in information technology, as it forms the basis for all decision-making, project management and strategy development in modern businesses operations. Data in IT isn't just important; it's the foundation for technology innovation, business operations, security, and the continuous growth of the IT sector.
Some examples of the role data plays in IT may include:
- Informed decision-making: Data helps businesses and organizations make informed decisions.
- Automation and efficiency: Data is essential for automating tasks and processes. These developments may help improve efficiency and accuracy in manufacturing and service deliveries.
- Personalization: Data is used to create personalized experiences for users and customers.
- Security and Risk Management: Data is used to monitor user activities, system logs, and network traffic may help identify potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Innovation and Research: Data may support research and development in IT. Developers often analyze large datasets to identify new patterns and create innovative technologies.
IT managers and IT professionals may be tasked with managing, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses and organizations make more informed decisions.
IT Infrastructure: Hardware and Software Systems
IT infrastructure, including both physical hardware and software, is fundamental to the secure operation of an organization's information technology systems, supporting everything from daily operations to technical skills, strategic growth and innovation.
Hardware can refer to the physical components of a computer system, including the central processing unit (CPU), memory and storage devices. Software refers to the programs and operating systems that run on computer hardware.
Hardware may include servers, data centers, networking equipment like routers and firewalls. Software may include operating systems like Windows, Linux or Mac OS, database management software or other network administrator and security software systems like antivirus computer programs.
Information technology infrastructure is critical for supporting business operations and enabling innovation.
The Future of IT
The future of IT may focus on developing smarter, faster, and more efficient systems capable of managing increasing data volumes, providing personalized experiences, and fostering innovation across various industries.
Technologies such as AI, 5G, computer programs, cloud computing services, quantum computing, and blockchain are reshaping business operations and changing the way people engage with technology.
IT professionals typically develop new technical skills and expertise to stay ahead of an evolving information technology industry and computer systems which applies across multiple industries.
If you're interested in understanding the types of career paths that you can choose with an IT degree, learn more at "What Can You Do With An Information Technology Degree".