Zeeshan Mir Baz has collected the information from this website:https://online.king.edu/information-technology/top-5-topics-in-information-technology/ in this artile By
posted April 8th, 2013 by Jessica Blanchard
said that:
King’s online information technology
degree features a capstone on current issues in technology. Explore
some of the biggest concerns in the industry.
Today’s IT professionals face new and evolving challenges when it comes to privacy, security and infrastructure. An information technology degree
from King University provides the opportunity for IT students to
explore current issues in technology from an ethical and practical
stance. Five of the biggest concerns in information technology are
outlined below.
Social Media Privacy
Social media is a competitive market. In the rush to
add new features to current offerings, user privacy sometimes gets left
on the back burner. Apps and plug-ins that utilize GPS location and
single access sign-on present unique security concerns for users. Most
social media features now require users to grant access to their
personal information, including publicly shared pictures and status
updates, before they can use the service. Users innocently share this
data so that they can register for marketing incentives like coupons on
raffle drawings.
The icing on the cake is that companies are largely left to their own
devices when it comes to developing and instituting security policies.
There is no universal security legislation, and companies are free to
change their policies as they see fit. Facebook, for example, has
changed their security policy and privacy settings numerous times in
recent years, leaving some users feeling confused and unprotected.
But how much do users actually value their privacy? This report from NBC News
shows data that suggests social media users value their privacy less
than those who avoid social media networks. A poll conducted by The
Ponemon Institute shows that feelings on privacy have become polarized.
Thirty-six percent of participants said they felt privacy was less
important than it was five years ago; the exact same percentage said
they felt it was more important. Interestingly, the two groups agreed
that they have less control over their information than they did five
years ago.
Workplace Monitoring
Privacy can be an issue in the workplace, as well. As
technology advances, employers are able to easily and inexpensively
install and operate surveillance—from security cameras and motion
detectors to software that tracks employee internet usage. Companies
have several motivators for using these tools. Monitoring employees
allows businesses to keep tabs on the dissemination of potentially
confidential information, track productivity and even prevent lawsuits
by watching for harassing behavior.
Many questions arise from these practices. How much privacy, if any,
are employees entitled to when using company equipment? Is it acceptable
to conduct personal business at work? Do employers have a right to
penalize employees for conduct and information relayed through social
media while off the clock?
As the law begins to catch up with the digital age, some of these
questions will find concrete answers. For now, information technology
personnel are the watchdogs and the gatekeepers.
Mobile Security
Mobile devices can be both the instruments and
victims of privacy violations. Google’s latest innovation, Google Glass,
has been pre-emptively
banned at a diner in Seattle
due to the security implications of an unobtrusive mobile device
capable of discreetly recording audio, video and still footage in public
and private places. However, most security threats from mobile devices
result from the manner in which the consumer uses the technology:
- Consumers who elect to set PINs and passwords for their mobile
devices often choose easily deciphered codes, such as 1234 or 0000.
- Users may unknowingly download malware disguised as a useful application.
- Out-of-date operating systems may pose threats. OS manufacturers
periodically release security patches and fixes, but it is up to the
consumer to update their devices. Older devices may not support new
updates to the OS.
- Out-of-date software presents similar security risks. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software.
- Wireless transmissions are not always encrypted, making information sent via mobile devices easier to intercept.
With users treating their devices in such a blasé fashion, it can be
difficult and frustrating for IT specialists to help users avoid
security and privacy mishaps—especially when those devices are used for
company purposes.
Bring-Your-Own-Device Support
In a BYOD program, employees use their own personal
mobile devices to conduct business within the company. Allowing
employees to use their own devices takes control away from the company.
Corporate data stored on personal employee devices is at risk due to
malware and information leaks, most notably resulting from the loss or
theft of a device.
A study conducted by research firm Gartner
suggests that IT should obtain an employee’s consent to remotely wipe
their device in the event of a security breach when the employee enrolls
in the BYOD program. Gartner also recommends whitelisting and
blacklisting certain applications and software.
Cloud Strategy
Too often in IT, a wait-and-see approach is taken.
Changes in workflow and project management arise from immediate need,
and then IT swoops in to make sense of it all. Experts in the industry
argue that this model is ill-advised for instituting a cloud strategy.
Implementation needs to come from the top-down. This coming year will
make or break the cloud enterprise, and the best method is to develop
and implement a cogent plan. That plan may include hybrid models, since
trust in cloud computing isn’t where it needs to be just yet. As the
technology matures, more users will be comfortable getting on board.
Businesses will face a challenge in recruiting and retaining trained cloud engineers and support professionals. According to Forbes,
a certification in cloud computing could mean a 30 to 50 percent pay
increase. An online information technology degree can get you on the
path to fulfilling this need. Visit King University Online to learn more about degree options that can put you on the fast track to an exciting career in IT.
King University has a reputation for academic excellence that goes beyond the classroom. Our online degree programs
position graduates for an exceptional career or continued educational
opportunities. More than 80 percent of King graduate survey respondents
indicated they received admission to their first choice of graduate
programs. Make an investment in your future with an online degree from King University.
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