B4: Information Systems and Communications

Question 1

Information Technology Components (5)

Answer 1

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4. Network
5. People

Question 2

Functions performed on data

Answer 2

1. Collect
2. Process
3. Store
4. Transform
5. Distribute

Question 3

Computer storage sequence

Answer 3

Entity, Attributes, Field, Record, Data Value, File, Master File, Transaction File, Database

Question 4

Types of reports

Answer 4

1. Periodic Scheduled Reports: made available on a regular basis
2. Exception Reports: produced when a specific condition or exception occurs
3. Demand “Pull” Reports: available on demand
4. Ad Hoc Reports: does not currently exist but can be created on demand without having to get a software developer or programmer involved.
5. Push Reports: displays up-to-date reports every time an end user logs into a computer network
6. Dashboard Reports: summary of necessary information for management action
7. XBRL: Extensible Business Reporting Language: defines data by currency, time, etc., as well as the definition of each element.

Question 5

Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)

Answer 5

Process and record the routine daily transactions necessary to conduct business

Question 6

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Answer 6

Provides users predefined reports that support effective business decisions

Question 7

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Answer 7

An extension of MIS that provides interactive tools to support decision making. Also called an expert system

Question 8

Executive Information Systems (EIS)

Answer 8

Provide senior executives with immediate and easy access to internal and external information to assist in strategic decision making

Question 9

Categories of Business Information Systems

Answer 9

• TPS
• MIS
• DSS
• EIS

Question 10

Steps in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

“A DITTO”

Answer 10

Systems ANALYSIS
DESIGN (Conceptual and Physical)
IMPLEMENTATION and Conversion
TRAINING
TESTING 
OPERATIONS and Maintenance

Question 11

COBIT Governance Objectives

Answer 11

1. Strategic Alignment: linkage between business and IT plans
2. Value Delivery: provision by IT of promised benefits while satisfying its customers and optimizing costs
3. Resource Management: optimization of knowledge and infrastructure
4. Risk Management: risk awareness by senior management, characterized by understanding risk appetite and risk management responsibilities. Begins with identification of risks faced followed by determining how the company will respond to the risk. Avoid, Mitigate, Share, or Ignore.
5. Performance Measurement: includes tracking and monitoring strategy implementation, project completion, resource usage, process performance, and service delivery.

Question 12

COBIT business requirements for information. Know it cold and learn it fast

Answer 12

INTEGRITY: accuracy, completeness, and validity
CONFIDENTIALITY: protection of sensitive information
EFFICIENCY: low cost without compromising effectiveness
RELIABILITY: information represents what it purports to represent
AVAILABILITY: providing current and future information as required
COMPLIANCE: comply with policies, laws, regulations and contractual arrangements
EFFECTIVENESS: relevant or pertinent to a business process, and delivered in timely, correct, consistent, and useful manner

Question 13

What are the four domains for the COBIT framework?

Answer 13

PLAN and ORGANIZE: Direct
ACQUIRE and IMPLEMENT: Solution
DELIVER and SUPPORT: Service
MONITOR and EVALUATE: Ensure

Question 14

System Analyst IT Responsibilities

Answer 14

Internally Developed System:

• determine system requirements
• designs the overall application system
• determines the type of network needed

Purchased System:

• integrates with existing internal and purchased apps
• provides training to end users

Question 15

Computer Programmer IT Responsibilities

Answer 15

Application Programmer/Software Developer (software engineers): Write and/or maintain applications programs

System Programmer: install, support, monitor, and maintain operating system. May also perform capacity planning functions

Question 16

Computer Operator IT Responsibilities

Answer 16

schedule and run processing jobs. can be automated and, in large computing environments, MUST be automated.

Question 17

File Librarian

Answer 17

stores and protects programs and tapes from damage and unauthorized use. In large computing environments, much of the work is automated

Question 18

Data Librarian (Streza)

Answer 18

has custody of and maintains the entity’s data and ensures that production data is released only to authorized individuals when needed.

Question 19

Database Administrator

Answer 19

responsible for maintaining and supporting the database software and performing certain security functions.

Question 20

Data Administrator

Answer 20

responsible for the definition, planning, and control of the data within a database

Question 21

Network Administrator

Answer 21

support computer networks through performance monitoring and troubleshooting

Question 22

Segregation of Duties within IT

Answer 22

System & Hardware Designer (Analyst) vs. Computer Programmer (Software Designer): if the same person is in charge of hardware and software, that person could easily bypass security systems without anyone knowing and steal organizational information or assets