ICT Infrastructure & Information Security 1

Summary

This video lecture delves into the intricate layers of ICT infrastructures, focusing on hardware, software, and communication systems, while emphasizing the significance of information security in e-business. It outlines the three-tier architecture of client, business, and data tiers, highlighting the role of databases, document management, and ERP systems in backend operations. The lecture also underscores the importance of integrating front-end systems with backend databases for dynamic website content and efficient organizational functioning.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The lecture covers ICT infrastructures, including hardware, software, communication infrastructures, and information security, with a separate focus on the latter.
• 📚 After the lecture, viewers should be able to outline the functionality of backend and front-end ICT infrastructures and describe three-tier client-server architecture.
• 🔒 The importance of data and information security in e-business and e-commerce is highlighted, with approaches to securing information discussed.
• 💻 There are three layers of informatics infrastructures: information infrastructures, information system infrastructures, and ICT infrastructures, which are mutually interdependent.
• 📈 Information system infrastructures act as a high-level map of an information system, representing a composite of systems that emulate standard human activities.
• 🛠️ Critical technologies for back-end ICT infrastructures include database management systems, data warehouses, document management, and enterprise resource planning systems.
• 🗂️ Database management systems (DBMS) are sets of computer programs that control the creation, maintenance, and use of databases, facilitating transaction management and application development.
• 🏢 Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integrate various organizational functions under one umbrella, often feeding from a central database.
• 📑 Document management systems are used for handling unstructured data, such as physical documents, which are not efficiently managed by database systems.
• 🌟 Modern ICT infrastructures often follow a three-tier client-server architecture, with the client tier accessible through web browsers or smartphone apps.
• 🌐 The integration of front-end and back-end systems is crucial for organizational effectiveness, especially with the use of internet and web technologies.

Q & A

What are the three layers of informatics infrastructures mentioned in the lecture?

The three layers of informatics infrastructures are: 1) Information Infrastructures, which consist of definitions of information needs and activities involved; 2) Information System Infrastructures, which consist of information systems needed to support organizational activities; and 3) ICT Infrastructures, which consist of the hardware, software, data, and communication facilities, as well as ICT knowledge and skills available to the organizations.

What is the purpose of an information system infrastructure in a commercial organization?

The purpose of an information system infrastructure in a commercial organization is to represent a composite of the systems that support standard human activities such as sales, accounting, stock control, and procurement. It typically emulates these activities and provides the necessary information inputs for the organization.

How do ICT infrastructures differ from information system infrastructures?

ICT infrastructures go beyond information systems by including not only the systems that support organizational activities but also the hardware, software, data, communication facilities, and the ICT knowledge and skills available to the organizations. They provide a more comprehensive technological foundation for an organization.

What is the role of a database management system (DBMS) in an ICT infrastructure?

A DBMS is a set of computer programs that control the creation, maintenance, and use of databases within an organization. It allows for the consolidation of data records into databases that can be accessed by various application programs and facilitates database development, interrogation, maintenance, and application development.

What is the difference between a data warehouse and a data mart?

A data warehouse is a large database that stores data extracted from various operational, external, and other databases across an organization. A data mart, on the other hand, is a database that contains a subset of data from a data warehouse, focusing on specific aspects of a company, such as a department or a business process.

Why is document management important in an organization?

Document management is important because much of the data collected, disseminated, and used within organizations is unstructured or semi-structured. Database systems are not typically good at handling such data, hence a document management system is frequently used to manage this type of data effectively.

How does an ERP system integrate different organizational functions?

An ERP system integrates different organizational functions by providing a series of software modules that feed into a central database of organizational data. It typically consists of packages that were originally developed from manufacturing resource planning systems and aims to streamline and unify business processes across the organization.

What are the three-tier client-server architectures in the context of modern ICT infrastructures?

The three-tier client-server architectures refer to the client tier, the business tier, and the data tier. The client tier is the front-end ICT systems accessed through various devices, the business tier consists of web servers providing electronic services to stakeholders, and the data tier involves large corporate databases storing operational data.

How do internet and web technologies contribute to the integration of front-end and back-end systems in an organization?

Internet and web technologies contribute to integration by enabling dynamic updates from backend databases to the information presented on the front end. They also allow the information entered by customers to update the company's information system effectively, ensuring that both the front-end and back-end systems work seamlessly together.

What is the significance of intranet in an organization's ICT infrastructure?

An intranet is significant as it allows for internal communication and coordination within an organization using web technologies. It can be used for various e-business applications, such as internal websites, database systems, and ERP, providing a platform for collaboration and information sharing within the company.

What challenges do static web pages present for constructing websites, and how can they be addressed?

Static web pages present challenges because any change to the content requires manual amendment and republication, which can be time-consuming and error-prone for large websites. This can be addressed by developing core technologies that create a linkage between corporate databases and the information published on the internet, allowing for dynamic content updates.

Outlines

00:00

💻 ICT Infrastructures and Information Security Overview

This paragraph introduces the topic of ICT infrastructures, encompassing hardware, software, and communication systems, with a focus on information security to be discussed in a separate lecture. It outlines the learning objectives, which include understanding the three layers of informatics infrastructures, backend and frontend functionalities, client-server software architecture, database system integration with the web, and the significance of data security in e-business and e-commerce. The paragraph also touches on various critical technologies for backend ICT infrastructures, such as database management systems, data warehouses, document management, and enterprise resource planning systems.

05:00

🗂️ Data Management and Enterprise Systems

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of data management, discussing the role of data warehouses and data marts in storing and organizing structured data from various sources. It contrasts structured data with unstructured data and the need for document management systems to handle the latter. The paragraph also explains the integration of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which combine multiple organizational functions into a unified system. The importance of effective ICT system integration for transactional websites and the three-tier architecture of modern ICT infrastructures in organizations are highlighted, emphasizing the client tier, business tier, and data tier.

10:01

🌐 Internet and Web Technologies in ICT Systems

The final paragraph discusses the use of internet and web technologies in creating standardized interfaces for ICT systems within organizations. It describes how different stakeholders, such as customers, employees, managers, and suppliers, access the front-end systems through various devices and networks. The paragraph explains the concept of an intranet as a specialized ICT system for internal communication and coordination, and how it can be structured both horizontally, with clients and servers, and vertically, with communication lines and software. The paragraph concludes by addressing the challenges of maintaining static web pages and the development of core technologies to dynamically link corporate databases with internet or extranet webpages.

Keywords

💡ICT Infrastructures

ICT Infrastructures refer to the underlying frameworks that support information and communications technology within an organization. This includes hardware, software, and communication facilities, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to operate and manage these systems. In the video, ICT infrastructures are discussed as a critical component for modern organizations, enabling them to function effectively in a digital environment. The script mentions that ICT infrastructures consist of hardware, software, data, and communication facilities, which are essential for supporting organizational activities.

💡Information Security

Information Security in the context of the video pertains to the protection of data and information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It is highlighted as a separate but crucial aspect of ICT infrastructures. The video script notes the importance of data and information security in e-business and e-commerce, emphasizing the need for approaches to secure information and data, which is vital for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of organizational assets.

💡Information System Infrastructures

Information System Infrastructures are the systems required to support organizational activities, such as sales, accounting, stock control, and procurement. These systems are typically designed to emulate standard human activities and are composed of data stores, which in modern contexts, are replaced by databases. The video script explains that information system infrastructures act as a high-level map of an information system within a commercial organization, underscoring their role in managing and organizing the flow of information within the business.

💡Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Database Management Systems are computer programs that enable the creation, maintenance, and use of databases within an organization. They control how data is stored, accessed, and manipulated. The video script discusses DBMS as a set of facilities that include database development, interrogation, maintenance, and application development. These systems are crucial for managing structured data and ensuring that databases are updated and maintained efficiently.

💡Data Warehouse

A Data Warehouse is described in the video as a large database that stores data extracted from various operational and external databases within an organization. It serves as a central repository for all the data an organization accumulates, which can be used for reporting and data analysis. The script mentions that data warehouses are fed by data from multiple sources, such as ERP, inventory control, logistics, shipping, purchasing, and CRM systems.

💡Document Management

Document Management refers to the processes and technologies used to manage electronic documents and images of paper-based information captured through the use of a document scanner. The video script explains that document management systems are necessary for handling unstructured data, which is data that does not fit well into traditional databases. These systems typically include input devices, processing modules, storage models, and retrieval modules to manage documents effectively.

💡Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Enterprise Resource Planning systems integrate various organizational functions into a single system, providing a comprehensive view of an organization's operations. The video script describes ERP systems as consisting of a series of software modules that feed into a central database, which is used to manage and coordinate resources, business processes, and services across the company. ERP systems are seen as a strategy to achieve effective integration within an organization.

💡Three-Tier Client-Server Architecture

The Three-Tier Client-Server Architecture is a design pattern for computer software where the functionality is divided into three parts: the client, the server, and the data layer. The video script discusses this architecture as a typical model for modern organizations, where the client tier handles user interaction, the business tier processes business logic, and the data tier manages data storage and retrieval. This architecture allows for efficient distribution of tasks and responsibilities within an ICT system.

💡Intranet

An Intranet is a private network within an organization that uses Internet Protocol technologies to manage and share information. The video script explains that intranets can be used for internal communication and coordination, and they often involve setting up web services for employees and managers to access and interact with organizational resources. Intranets can be considered a special type of ICT system, consisting of clients, servers, communication lines, and software to facilitate internal operations.

💡Extranet

An Extranet extends an organization's intranet to allow secure access by external parties, such as suppliers, partners, or customers. The video script touches upon extranets as a means for organizations to extend their ICT systems to external stakeholders, enabling them to access certain information and services over the Internet in a controlled and secure manner.

💡Web Technologies

Web Technologies encompass the various tools, platforms, and frameworks used to develop and manage websites and web applications. The video script highlights the use of web technologies in creating standard interfaces for ICT systems within organizations, allowing for dynamic updates of web content from backend databases and facilitating transactional websites. These technologies are crucial for modern e-business and e-commerce operations.

Highlights

Introduction to ICT infrastructures, including hardware, software, communication infrastructures, and information security.

Separate discussion of information security in a future video lecture.

Describing the three layers of informatics infrastructures: information, information system, and ICT infrastructures.

Functionality of backend and front-end ICT infrastructures and their role in organizational activities.

Importance of data and information security in e-business and e-commerce.

Explanation of the three-tier client-server architecture in modern ICT infrastructures.

Identification of common critical technologies for back-end ICT infrastructures in commercial organizations.

Role of database management systems (DBMS) in managing and controlling databases.

Facilities provided by DBMS for database development, interrogation, maintenance, and application development.

Difference between data warehouse and data mart in terms of data storage and retrieval.

Challenges of managing unstructured data and the use of document management systems.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and their integration of various organizational functions.

Importance of effective planning and management of ICT systems for organizational integration.

Use of internet and web technologies for the integration of front-end and back-end systems.

Description of the three-tier architecture: client tier, business tier, and data tier.

Access methods for front-end ICT systems through various stakeholders and devices.

Role of intranets and extranets in facilitating internal and external communication and coordination.

Technological advancements enabling dynamic updates of web pages from backend databases.

Closing remarks and transition to the next video lecture.

Transcripts

thank you for watching this video

lectures

in this lecture we will discuss ict

infrastructures

covering hardware softwares and

communication infrastructures

and information security noted

we will discuss information security in

a separate video lecture

after watching this video lecture you

should be able to describe

three layers of informatics

infrastructures

outline the functionality backend and

front and ict infrastructures

describe three tire client software

architecture

describe integration of database system

and web

argue the importance of data information

security in e-business

or e-commerce or learn some approach to

securing

information or data

there are three layers mutually

interdependent of

informatics infrastructures the first

one

information infrastructures consist of

definitions

of information need and activities

involved

the second one information system

infrastructures

consist of information system needed to

support organizational activity

and the third one ict infrastructures

consists of the hardware software data

and communication facilities

as well as ict knowledge and skills

available to the organizations

information system infrastructures is

considered

as high level map of an information

system

it is likely to be found in a typical

commercial organization it represents

a composite of the systems considered

the information system typically

emulates some standard human activity

systems

such as sales accounting stock control

and procurement that they support for

such an information system

it is possible to input some of the

information needs of typical

organization

for examples most organizations need to

store data about their employee

customer supplies stock and violence

this constitutes a typical information

infrastructure for a commercial

organizations

this is the ict infrastructure

corresponding to the

information system infrastructures in

the previous slide

note that the data stores of information

systems

infrastructures have been replaced by a

number of databases

in this figure hence the customer data

store

has been replaced by a customer database

also the infomercial systems in the

previous figure

has been replaced by a number of ict

systems

however not all the sct systems directly

correspond to the information system

more than one information system may be

supported by one

ict system and vice versa hence the

supply relationship and management

ict system combine the functions of

procurement

inbound logistics and purchase order

processing information

on the picker

the following are common critical

technology

for back-end ict infrastructures bond

in commercial organizations data

management technology this includes

database management systems

data warehouse or data marts document

management technologies

and enterprise resource planning systems

this is the primrose of data management

it has

all yes the data management layer

consists of

dbms and databases that it managed

transaction management layer

that handles transactions rule

management layer that endpost database

rules

and the top layer is the interface

management layer

that directly interact with user

under the database management approach

data records

are consolidated into databases that can

be accessed

by many different application programs

database management systems or dbms

is actually a set of computer programs

that control the creation

maintenance and the use of databases of

an organization

and its end users there are four major

dbms facilities

database development and dbms allow

control of development to be placed

with the service administrator the

administrator use

data definition language or ddl to

develop

and specify the data concepts

relationship and structures of each

database and to modify this

specification

when necessary database interrogation

at the bms allow end users without

programming skills

to ask for information from a database

using a query language

or report generator database maintenance

updating databases and other maintenance

are conducted by transaction processing

programs

application development ldbms make

application development much easier

and quicker than allowing developers to

include

data manipulation language statements in

their program that let dbms perform

necessary data handling activities

data warehouse and data mart

data warehouse is a large database that

stores data

that have been extracted from the

various operational

external and other databases open

organizations

data mart is a database that whole

subset of data from

a data warehouse that focus on specific

aspects

of a company such as a department or a

business process

data that are collected for a data

warehouse

comes from many sources such as from

various applications

erp inventory control logistics shipping

purchasing and crm a data mod is a

subset of data warehouse

for a specific purpose such as a data

marks for finance for marketing for

sales for accounting and

for management reporting document

management

the data held within databases and data

warehouses

are said to be structured data

by this we mean that it is organized in

terms of

data structures data elements and data

items

however much data collected disseminated

and used within organization

is unstructured or smith structured

typically such data comprises

data contained in physical documents of

various types

database systems are typically not been

good

at handling such unstructured data hence

a type of system known as a document

management system

is frequently used possible this papers

a document management system typically

comprises

an input device such as a scanner that

produces

a digital image of the document a

processing module that normally allows

the user to index the document

in various ways a storage model

consisting of some specialized hardware

and software for storing large amount of

images a retrieval module allowing the

user to retrieve a particular document

quickly surprise

resource planning an erp system

integrates a number of different

organizational functions

under the umbrella of one system an erp

system typically consists

of a series of packages software module

feeding of a central database of

organizational data many such packages

originally developed from manufacturing

resource planning systems

traditionally integration has been

achieved

by effective planning and management of

ict systems

built internally within organizations

more recently

many organizations have chosen to buy in

large

suites of ict systems with in-built

integration this is the enterprise

resource planning

package or mega package the strategy of

producing enterprise resource planning

systems

can be seen as an attempt to buy in a

complete

ict infrastructure

and ict systems are likely to work in

modern business using

internet and web technologies

hence the effective integration of

front office or front end and back open

system

is the key to organizational

effectiveness for instance

to enable fully transactional websites

the information presented needs to be

updated dynamically from

backend databases also the information

entered by customer needs

to update company information system

effectively

three entire architecture the typical

ict infrastructures of the modern

organizations

tends to be billed as the three tire

client server architectures client tire

business tyres and data tyre the client

tire

most contemporary front-end ict systems

within organization have been designed

to be accessed through various access

devices

running a web browser or smartphone apps

access channels maybe offer an intranet

or over the internet the business style

the front-end ict architectures of the

typical contemporary organization

is likely to consist of a series of web

servers such web servers are likely to

provide electronic services to the major

stakeholders

of negotiation customers suppliers

managers

and employees the data tires operational

data

in the backend ictc systems will be made

available in response to requests from

the business layer

data will typically be stored in large

corporate databases

internet and web technologies are being

used to produce standard interface to

prone

and ict system in organizations front

and ict systems

will vary with the type of stakeholders

customers

are likely to access the face through

some internet enabled devices

with browsers or smartphone apps

internal stakeholders such as employees

and managers are likely to access

front-end system through some form of

corporate intranet

run on the organization local area

network external stakeholders such as

suppliers

partners are likely to access front-end

ict systems through some form of

extra an intranet involves

using internet and web technologies

within the context of a single

organizations

at its most basics it involves setting

up

web service for internal communication

and coordination

and it most sophisticated it input using

web interface

or apps to co-cooperate or e-business

applications

such as website database system

and erp an intranet can be considered as

a special type of ict system

as such we can consider it

in terms of its horizontal components or

in term of its vertical components

horizontally

an intranet will be made up of hallway

this is clients and servers

communication line between

such machines software web browser

software

or apps will be required on client

machines

and web server software on server

machines

the role of web server software input

processing requests

from the client browsers or app software

and

returning documents to the clients an

intranet may also have

a domain server this system translates

between the numeric address assigned to

each machine

to the network under tcp ip and more

meaningful name

phosphors communications and internet

relies on

some form of communication

infrastructures this may be

a local area network wide array network

or a combination of port hardware and

software will be required to run the tcp

ip

communication protocols data data will

be held in the form of html documents

held

on the surface in the network ta may be

held in database system

accessible from the web pages

a typical web page on a company's

internet

internet or extranet will be a static

webpage

a starting webpage is one of that

consists of

html and associated graphics

the keys problem of constructing

websites

with static web pages is that whenever a

change needs to be made to the content

the page has to be manually amended and

republished to the websites

for large and complex websites such as

an amendment process can be time

consuming

and error prone for this reason core

technologies

have been developed which enable

application developer to create linkage

between the data held in the corporate

databases

and the information published on the

internet

internet or external webpages

this is the end of this video lecture

thank you for watching

see you in the next video

wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi

foreign