Information Technology (Ninja Notes) Flashcards
What are the 3 Main Sections of Info. Tech ?
Operating
Programming
Library
These roles should be SEGREGATED
What is the Role of the Systems Analyst ?
- Designs or purchases the IT System
- Responsible for flowcharts
- Liaison between Users and Programmers
Think Justin at Stein mart, he listens to the people using the Systems so he car toll the programmers what needs to be corrected
What does the System Admin do?
Controls database access
Whet does a System Programmer do?
- Writes, updates, maintains, & tests software, systems, and compilers
- Control - systems programmer can’t also have Application programming duties
- Control - Programmer CAN’T be an Operator
Role of Systems Operator?
- Schedules and Monitors Jobs
- Runs IT help desk
- Control - Operator CAN’T be a programmer
What are Compensating Controls?
- use if duties can’t be segregated
- include computer logs
- Control Group - reviews logs
Mgmt. Info Systems: What are they used for?
Name the 4 types
Accounting Info System
Executive Info. System
Expert System
Decision Support System
What does AIS do?
Type of MIS
Processes transactions
Ex: Oracle
Executive Info. System?
- Specialized for Company Execs.
- Assists w/ Strategy Only
- No Decision making capabilities
Expert System?
Computer uses reasoning
Structured
No Human interpretation needed
Decision Support system?
Computer provides data
Gives interactive Support
Human Interpretation needed
Computing and Reports:
Ad Hoc ?
User initiates on Demand
Ex: Query
Computing and Reports:
Exception ?
Produced when Edit Tests, Check Digits, or Self-checking Digits identify a problem
Computing and Reports:
End-us or comport’s ?
User develops and executes own application
E-Commerce:
Benefits ?
makes business transactions easier
E-Commerce:
Risks ?
Compromised data or theft
less paper trail for audit
auditor should use Embedded Audit Module
downside: has to be there for system programming
E-Commerce:
Electronic Data Interchange ?
Uses globally-accepted standards
Efficient
Networks:
File Server ?
stores shared programs and documents
Networks:
Database?
located on File Server
allows users to share documents
Networks:
LAN - Local Area Network ?
connects computers within close proximity
Expensive: think inside the business office/ center
Networks:
WAN - Wide Area Network ?
connects computers Far apart
Networks:
VAN - Value Added Network ?
Privately owned network Serves as 3rd Party between 2 Companies Routes EDI Transactions Accepts wide range of protocols VERY COSTLY
Network Risk:
Firewall?
Prevents unauthorized access to network
Network Risk:
Virus?
Takes over a computer
Needs a host program to run
Network Risk:
Worm?
Takes over multiple computers
Doesn’t need a host program to run
Computer Hardware:
Automated Equipment Controls ?
Prevents and detects Hardware errors
Computer Hardware:
RAM ?
Internal Memory
Computer Hardware:
CPU ?
Contras processing unit
Computer Hardware:
Job Control Language ?
schedules and allocates system resources
Computer Hardware:
Input Device Examples ?
Keyboard/ mouse Scanner Magnetic Ink Reader Magnetic Tape Reader EDI Point of Sale Scanner
Computer Hardware:
Output the vice Examples ?
Speakers/Monitor
Computer Hardware:
Magnetic Tape ?
Sequential Access - sorts data in order
- slower data retrieval
- think: tape straight line
- Header label prevents Operator Error from loading wrong tape
- External Labels prevent accidental destruction by operator
Computer Hardware:
Magnetic Disks ?
Random Access - finds data in random spots
- Faster data retrieval
- Think: Disk is Circular
- Uses Boundary Protection for Data
Computer Hardware:
Gateway ?
Connects one network to another
Internet is connected by Gateway
Computer Hardware and Software Controls:
Parity Checks ?
Detects Internal data Error
Bit added to each character; checks to see if bit was Lost
Computer Hardware and Software Controls:
Echo Check ?
Transmitted Data is returned to sender for verification
Think: Echoes back to you
Computer Hardware and Software Controls:
Change Control ?
Authorizes program changes and approves program test results
Computer Hardware and Software Controls:
Security Software ?
Controls Access to IT systems
Don’t confuse this with anti-virus software
Computer Hardware and Software Controls:
Digital Signature ?
Confirms message has not been altered
Computer Types:
PDA / Smartphone / Tablet
Nothing to know here other then they exist
Computer Types:
Microcomputers ?
PC / Laptop - Cost Effective
Computer Types:
Minicomputer ?
Like a mainframe but smaller
Computer Types:
Mainframe ?
Large computer with terminals attached
Think about Corporations
Computer Types:
Super Computer ?
VERY Powerful and Big
Think about Government Computers
Computer Types:
What is the ORDER of the of Computer Systems? (smallest to largest)
Microcomputer, Minicomputer, Mainframe, Supercomputer
Computer Terms:
Bit ?
1 = ON 0 = OFF
Computer Terms:
Byte ?
8 bits = 1 Character
Computer Terms:
Field ?
Group of Related Characters
Ex: Zip Codes, Soc. Security #
Computer Terms:
Record ?
Group of Related Fields
Ex: Member Name / Address / City / State / Zip
Computer Terms:
File ?
Group of Related Records
Ex: membership Directory
Computer Terms:
Put in Order Starting from BIT
Bit, Byte, Field, Record, File
Bit was eating a Byte in the Field while listening to a Record and reading Files
Computer Languages:
Design Engineers ?
Determine language used for a specific computer;
On a Computer to Computer Basis
Computer Languages:
Source Programs ?
Written in English
Computer Languages:
Object Programs ?
Language Computers understand
Computer Languages:
Compiler ?
Translator: Take source language (English) and converts to Object (Computer) Language
Computer Processing:
Online Analytical Processing ?
- Uses a Data Warehouse to Support Management decision making
- Data Mining
Computer Processing:
Note: Uses Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition to analyze data stood within a Data Warehouse
N/A
Computer Processing:
Online Transaction Processing ?
Processes a Company’s routine transactions
- Instant Real-time
- Processes transactions as they occur
Computer Processing:
Batch Processing ?
Held, Processed all at once, Better audit trail
- Updates files all at once
- Ex: how test Scores are currently processed
- Leaves a better audit trail
- Uses Grandfather-Father-Son Backup
• 3 levels of back up
• kept in 3 different locations
Computer Input Controls:
Hash Total ?
- Sum of meaningless #’s
- Sum of Social Security Numbers
Tip: Ex on question for Hash Total, think which answer when added, would add up to nonsense?
Ex: Soc. Sec. #s
Computer Input Controls:
Validity Check ?
- Compares data to Existing tables or files
- Does a certain answer belong?
Ex: # in a Yes / No blank
Ex: Is this person a Computer
Computer Input Controls:
Limit Check ?
- can’t surpass a certain limit
Ex: Age > 110 in fill-in blank
Computer Input Controls:
Check Digit ?
Adds an identification number to a set of digits
(usually at the End)
Computer Input Controls:
Field Check ?
Prevents Invalid Characters
Ex: letters entered into 9 field where #s should be entered
Disaster Recovery:
Hot Site ?
Takes over immediately, fully equipped
Disaster Recovery:
Cold Site ?
Have location, but no Equipment
Computer Databases:
SQL ?
Std. Query Language
- Most common database language
Computer Databases:
Data Definition Language?
- Defines Databases
- Controls Tables
Computer Databases:
Data manipulation Language ?
- Queries Tables
Computer Databases:
Data Control Language ?
- Controls Access
Computer Databases:
Relational Database ?
- Logical Structure
- Uses Rows and Columns similar to a spreadsheet
Computer Databases:
Hierarchial Database ?
- Has various levels
- Uses Trees to store data
Computer Databases:
Database Advantages ?
- Data is more accessible
- Reduced Redundancy (remember!)
Computer Databases:
Database Disadvantages ?
- Cost of Installation
- Skilled personnel required to maintain
Computer Databases:
3 - Layer System ?
- 3 Layer System
• Desktop Client
• Application Server
• Database Server
THINK: your desktop runs Applications and Saves to s Database
COBIT : Notes
Write down as much as you can remember
- Globally-accepted set of IT best-practices for the Board, Executives, and Management
- Aligns goals and objectives of the organization with IT
- Improves IT efficiency and effectiveness
- Helps management to manage their IT investment
- Provides common language between IT and management
- Aids an organization with SOX compliance
