DT AS91632- Report
Main Components of an information system
The role of an information system is to manage the shared information within an organisation. Information systems are made up of hardware, software, data, procedures and people.
Hardware
Hardware is the physical component of many information systems. This includes things like keyboards, service, mice, printers, laptops, switches, routers etc. It is on hardware that the storage of data happens.
Sometimes, depending on the importance or reliance of a piece of hardware, organisations could keep spares on hand. The organisation needs to ask itself how long could they be without a piece of hardware? How quickly could it be replaced? These questions will determine if they need to have spare parts.
Software
There are two types of software – system and application.
System software is used by the hardware components. It generally comes preinstalled on the computer. Examples are Windows, Mac OS
Application software is used by the people. It enables them to do their work. Examples are Microsoft Word, Chrome, Macromedia Flash.
Data
Anything that is stored on the computer is classified as data. Data itself is of little value until it has been processed by software into more meaningful information.
Data needs to be put into an information system, normally done by people.
User input
Download
Upload
Data can also be shared or common amongst several different information systems.
Data Integrity
For the data to be useful it needs to be reliable
We need to have checks in place to make sure the data is correct
We want to reduce down the amount of data repetition
Why protect data?
We don’t want to lose it, we want to be able to view it, edit or retrieve it later
We don’t want other people, who shouldn’t see it or have access to it (Unauthorised access)
What can we do to help ensure we don’t lose our data?
Backup - are a form of insurance. Backing up means making a copy of the original. It can then be used in the
The role of an information system is to manage the shared information within an organisation. Information systems are made up of hardware, software, data, procedures and people.
Hardware
Hardware is the physical component of many information systems. This includes things like keyboards, service, mice, printers, laptops, switches, routers etc. It is on hardware that the storage of data happens.
Sometimes, depending on the importance or reliance of a piece of hardware, organisations could keep spares on hand. The organisation needs to ask itself how long could they be without a piece of hardware? How quickly could it be replaced? These questions will determine if they need to have spare parts.
Software
There are two types of software – system and application.
System software is used by the hardware components. It generally comes preinstalled on the computer. Examples are Windows, Mac OS
Application software is used by the people. It enables them to do their work. Examples are Microsoft Word, Chrome, Macromedia Flash.
Data
Anything that is stored on the computer is classified as data. Data itself is of little value until it has been processed by software into more meaningful information.
Data needs to be put into an information system, normally done by people.
User input
Download
Upload
Data can also be shared or common amongst several different information systems.
Data Integrity
For the data to be useful it needs to be reliable
We need to have checks in place to make sure the data is correct
We want to reduce down the amount of data repetition
Why protect data?
We don’t want to lose it, we want to be able to view it, edit or retrieve it later
We don’t want other people, who shouldn’t see it or have access to it (Unauthorised access)
What can we do to help ensure we don’t lose our data?
Backup - are a form of insurance. Backing up means making a copy of the original. It can then be used in the