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Information Technology

ICT, or information and communications technology, refers to the infrastructure and components that facilitate modern computing and data sharing among individuals and organizations. It encompasses a wide range of technologies, including the internet, mobile networks, and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, while also highlighting the challenges such as cybercrime and the digital divide. The importance of ICT in business is significant, offering cost savings and new opportunities, but it also raises concerns regarding automation and social issues.

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10 views5 pages

Information Technology

ICT, or information and communications technology, refers to the infrastructure and components that facilitate modern computing and data sharing among individuals and organizations. It encompasses a wide range of technologies, including the internet, mobile networks, and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, while also highlighting the challenges such as cybercrime and the digital divide. The importance of ICT in business is significant, offering cost savings and new opportunities, but it also raises concerns regarding automation and social issues.

Uploaded by

yaojeanmarc2005
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIT

ICT (information and communications technology or


technologies)
DEFINITION

ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is


the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing. Among the
goals of IC technologies, tools and systems is to improve the way humans
create, process and share data or information with each other. Another is to
help them improve their abilities in numerous areas, including business;
education; medicine; real-world problem-solving; and even leisure activities
related to sports, music, and movies.

There is no single, universal definition of ICT because the technologies,


devices and even ideas related to ICT are constantly evolving. However, the
term is generally accepted to mean all devices, networking
components and applications. When combined, these help people and
organizations interact in the digital world.

Here, organizations also has a broad definition since it encompasses businesses and
nonprofit agencies, governments and even criminal enterprises. Anyone can benefit
from the proper application and use of ICT technologies, devices and innovations.

What technologies are included in ICT?


ICT encompasses the internet-enabled sphere and the mobile one powered
by wireless networks. It includes antiquated technologies, such as landline telephones,
radio and television broadcast -- all of which remain widely used alongside today's
cutting-edge ICT pieces, such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

The internet, internet of things, metaverse, virtual reality and social media are also part
of ICT, as are cloud computing services, video conferencing and collaboration
tools, unified communications systems and mobile communication networks.
Emerging, work-in-progress or still-nascent technologies like 5G/6G, Web3,
and quantum computing are also in the ICT universe.
Any technology, infrastructure, component, or device that enables communications,
data sharing, and global connectivity between humans and between humans and
machines is included in the umbrella term ICT.

This chart identifies several key categories that are components of information and communications
technology.

ICT vs. IT
The acronym ICT is sometimes used synonymously with IT. However, ICT is
generally used to represent a more comprehensive list of all components related to
computer and digital technologies.

IT is more about managing the technologies related to information, and its various
technical aspects, including software, hardware, and networking. IT management does
not include considerations of telecommunications devices and technologies while ICT
does. IT can be considered a subset of ICT.
What are the components of ICT?
The list of ICT components is exhaustive and continues to grow. Some components,
such as computers and telephones, have existed for decades. Others, such
as smartphones, digital TVs and robots, are more recent entries.

ICT components include the following:

 Devices (hardware).

 Software.

 Middleware.

 Data.

 Wired networks.

 Wireless networks.

 Communication technologies.

 The cloud.

 Communications protocols and interfaces.

 Information security and governance policies.

ICT means more than its list of components. It encompasses the application of all
those various components. It's here that the real potential, power and danger of ICT
emerges -- for economic, societal, and interpersonal transactions and interactions.

Why ICT is important for businesses


For businesses, advances within ICT have brought a slew of cost savings,
opportunities and conveniences. They include the following:

 Highly automated businesses processes that have cut costs.

 The big data revolution, where organizations are turning the vast trove of data
generated by ICT into insights that drive new products and services.
 ICT-enabled transactions such as internet shopping and telemedicine and
social media that give customers more choices in how they shop, communicate
and interact.

Challenges ICT creates


Its many benefits notwithstanding, ICT has also created problems and challenges for
organizations, individuals and society. The digitization of data, the expanding use of
the high-speed internet and the growing global network together have created new
opportunities for crime. Increasingly, bad actors leverage these opportunities to hatch
new schemes to gain unauthorized access to enterprise or government systems. They
do so to steal money, intellectual property or private information.
Many cybercrimes are also aimed at disrupting systems that control critical
infrastructure and, ultimately, creating widespread chaos and panic.

Developments in ICT have also brought new automation technologies and robots that
sometimes displace workers, especially workers involved in repetitive, low-value
tasks. In some cases, ICT has let more people limit their face-to-face interactions with
others, creating or exacerbating social issues such as trolling, cyberbullying, isolation,
loneliness and depression.

ICT, the digital age and digital divide


ICT has changed drastically how people work, communicate, learn and live. It
continues to revolutionize all parts of the human experience as first computers and
now robots do many tasks humans once handled.

ICT's importance to economic development and business growth has been so


monumental that it's often credited with ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
ICT also underpins broad shifts in society, as individuals en masse are moving from
personal, face-to-face interactions to ones in the digital space. This new era is
frequently termed the digital age.

For all its revolutionary aspects, ICT capabilities aren't evenly distributed, with richer
countries and richer individuals getting to enjoy more access to ICT technologies.
These entities are better able to seize the advantages offered by and the opportunities
powered by ICT. This discrepancy in access to ICT has created what is now known as
the digital divide.

Numerous governmental authorities and non-government organizations advocate


policies and programs that aim to bridge the digital divide by providing greater access
to ICT among those individuals and populations struggling to afford it.

Explore how IT leaders drive evolution of digital transformation, and explore digital
transformation benefits for business. See how satellite connectivity can combat the
digital divide and how we can futureproof our economy by closing our growing digital
divide.

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