· What types of critical systems, networks, and data constitute your organization’s information infrastructure? Provide a brief description of these types of assets, and where relevant, the roles that these assets play in the organization.
· Which of these critical assets are the most essential to your organization’s ability to accomplish its mission? Explain why.
· What vulnerabilities can you identify in your organization’s systems, networks, and data?
Full Answer Section
- Customer relationship management (CRM) systems: Software that helps businesses manage their interactions with customers.
- Human resources (HR) systems: Software that helps businesses manage their employees, such as payroll and benefits.
Networks:
- Local area networks (LANs): Networks that connect computers and devices in a limited physical area, such as an office or building.
- Wide area networks (WANs): Networks that connect computers and devices over a large geographic area, such as a city or country.
- The Internet: A global network of networks that connects computers and devices all over the world.
Data:
- Customer data: Personal information about customers, such as their names, addresses, and contact information.
- Financial data: Information about a company's financial performance, such as revenue, expenses, and assets.
- Intellectual property: Information that is proprietary to a company, such as trade secrets, patents, and copyrights.
- Operational data: Information about a company's day-to-day operations, such as inventory levels, production schedules, and customer orders.
Roles of information infrastructure assets in an organization:
Information infrastructure assets play a critical role in the operations of most organizations. They support a wide range of business functions, including:
- Customer service: Information infrastructure assets help organizations to provide customer service by enabling them to track customer orders, manage customer interactions, and resolve customer issues.
- Sales and marketing: Information infrastructure assets help organizations to sell and market their products and services by enabling them to generate leads, track sales performance, and manage customer relationships.
- Accounting and finance: Information infrastructure assets help organizations to manage their finances by tracking revenue and expenses, preparing financial statements, and complying with financial regulations.
- Human resources: Information infrastructure assets help organizations to manage their employees by tracking payroll and benefits, administering benefits programs, and managing employee records.
- Research and development: Information infrastructure assets help organizations to develop new products and services by enabling them to store and access research data, collaborate with researchers, and share information with partners.
Examples of information infrastructure assets in specific organizations:
- In a hospital, information infrastructure assets might include:
- Operating systems that control the hospital's computer systems
- Databases that store patient records, medical images, and other data
- Electronic health record (EHR) systems that help clinicians to manage patient care
- Networks that connect the hospital's computers and devices
- The Internet, which the hospital uses to communicate with patients, providers, and other organizations
- In a bank, information infrastructure assets might include:
- Operating systems that control the bank's computer systems
- Databases that store customer accounts, financial data, and other data
- Core banking systems that process customer transactions and manage the bank's financial accounts
- Networks that connect the bank's computers and devices
- The Internet, which the bank uses to communicate with customers, other financial institutions, and regulators
- In a retail company, information infrastructure assets might include:
- Operating systems that control the company's computers and devices
- Databases that store customer data, product information, and sales data
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems that process customer transactions
- Networks that connect the company's computers and devices
- The Internet, which the company uses to sell products online and communicate with customers and suppliers
Conclusion:
Information infrastructure assets are essential for the operation of most organizations. They support a wide range of business functions and help organizations to achieve their goals. By protecting and managing their information infrastructure assets, organizations can minimize risk and ensure the smooth and efficient operation of their businesses.
Sample Answer
The types of critical systems, networks, and data that constitute an organization's information infrastructure vary depending on the organization's size, industry, and specific needs. However, some common examples include:
Systems:
- Operating systems: The software that controls the basic functions of a computer or network, such as booting up the system, managing files, and running applications.
- Databases: Systems that store and organize data in a way that makes it easy to access and manage.
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems: Integrated software systems that manage all aspects of a business, such as accounting, manufacturing, and sales.