Information Technology Flashcards
Which IT personnel roles should always be segregated?
C - Control group O - Operators P - Programmers A - Systems Analyst L - Librarians
What are the duties of a systems analyst?
Designs or purchases IT system
Responsible for flowcharts
Liaison between Users and Programmers
Note: Think IT Manager
What is the primary duty of a Systems Administrator?
A Systems Administrator controls database access.
What are the duties of a Systems Programmer?
Application Programer - Application/Software developer (software engineers) is the person responsible for writing and/or maintaining application programs.
SHOULD NOT be given write/update access to data in production systems or unrestricted and uncontrolled access to application program change management systems.
System Programers - are responsible for installing, supporting (troubleshooting), monitoring, and maintaining the operating system. May also perform capacity planing functions and testing and applying upgrades.
Writes- Updates- Maintains- & Tests software- systems- and compilers
SHOULD NOT be given write/update access to data in production systems or access to change management systems.
Which duties should a Systems Programmer NOT have?
In order to maximize internal control- a Systems Programmer should NOT have application programming duties/abilities or be an Operator on the system.
What are the duties of a Systems Operator?
Schedules and Monitors JobsRuns IT Help Desk.
SHOULD NOT be a Programmer on the system.
What is the primary function of a database management system?
To create and modify the database.
If it is not possible to segregate duties in an IT System- what actions should be taken to compensate for internal control purposes?
Include Computer Logs.
Control Group should review the logs.
What is the purpose of a Management Information System (MIS)?
To assist with decision making. More broad than DSS.
Provides users predefined reports that support effective business decisions. MIS reports may provide feedback on daily operations.
What are the characteristics of an Executive Information System (EIS)?
Specialized for Company Executive needs
Assists with Strategy Only
No Decision-Making Capabilities
What are the characteristics of an Expert System (ES)?
See Decision Support System
Computer uses reasoning
Structured
No human interpretation needed
What are the characteristics of a Decision Support System (DSS)?
Sometimes called Expert System. It is an extension of an MIS that provides interactive tools to support decision making. It may provide information, facilitate the preparation of forecasts, or allow modeling of various aspects of a decision. Computer provides data Gives Interactive Support Human interpretation needed
What are the characteristics of an Ad Hoc computer report?
User initiates the report.
The report is created upon demand.
When are Exception reports generated?
Exception reports are produced when Edit Tests- Check Digits- or Self-Checking Digits identify a problem
What is a query?
A type of Ad Hoc report- initiated by a user.
What is End-User Computing?
The User develops and executes their own application.
What is the primary benefit of E-commerce?
E-commerce makes business transactions easier.
What are the risks of E-commerce?
Compromised data or theft.
Less paper trail for auditors.
What are the benefits of Electronic Data Interchange?
Uses globally-accepted standards
Efficient
What is a File Server?
A file server stores shared programs and documents.
What is the purpose of a Database?
Located on a File Server- a Database allows users to share documents.
What is the purpose of a LAN (Local Area Network)?
It connects computers in close proximity.
What is the purpose of a WAN (Wide Area Network)?
It connects computers that are far apart.
What are the characteristics of a VAN (Value-Added Network)?
Privately-owned Network Serves as 3rd Party Between 2 Companies Routes EDI Transactions Accepts wide range of Protocols Very Costly