IT 111: Introduction to

Information Technology (IT)

Lecture 1: Introduction to IT/ICT

Layout of Lecture#1
 Definition of terms: ICT, IT, Data,
Information, Information System, and
Computer.
 Computers & Types of Computers
 Parts of Computer
 Computer Memory Measurements
 Information Security
 IT and ICT
 IT

• Stands for Information Technology

 ICT

• Stands for Information Communications

Technology.

 NOTE:

• The two terminologies are sometimes used

interchangeably.
Introduction to IT/ICT
 Information Technology (IT) and Information &
Communication Technology (ICT) are foundational
components of today’s digital world.
 ICT integrates computing devices, communication
networks, software systems, data, and people to
support and improve daily activities.
 IT focuses on technology for processing, storing,
securing, and managing information.
 ICT goes further by including communication
technologies such as the Internet,
telecommunications, mobile networks, cloud
services, and digital platforms.
Definitions of Core Terms
 ICT: Technologies used for processing, transmitting, and
communicating information (e.g., internet, mobile
networks, Wi-Fi, satellites, cloud computing).
 IT: The hardware, software, and systems used to manage
data and information.
 Data: Raw facts or figures (uninterpreted).
 Information: Processed data that has meaning and
context (interpreted).
 Information System (IS): A structured set of
components (hardware, software, data, people, processes)
that collect, process, store, and distribute information.
 Computer: An electronic device that receives input,
processes it, stores it, and produces output.
Computer System / Information
System/IT Systems
 An information system integrates
resources to help organizations make
decisions, coordinate activities, and
control operations.
 Examples:

• University registration systems (SR2)

• Online banking systems
• Hospital information systems
• E-government platforms (TRA, NIDA, etc.)
Computer System / Information
System/IT Systems
Components of IT Systems
 Computer Hardware: Physical equipment (CPU,
monitor, keyboard, printer, storage devices).
 Computer Software: Programs or instructions
(Operating systems, apps, browsers, mobile
apps, accounting software).
 Managed Information/Data: The resource
being processed or managed.
 Networking: Links computers so they can share
resources and communicate.
 People: IT users, administrators, and decision-
makers.
 Components of IT Systems-
Computer Hardware
 Hardware refers to
tangible parts that you
can physically touch.
 Categories:
• Input devices: Keyboard,
mouse, scanner,
microphone.
• Output devices: Monitor,
printer, speakers, projector.
• Storage devices: Hard
drives, SSDs, USB flash
drives, SD cards.
• Processing components:
CPU, GPU, motherboard.
 Components of IT Systems-
Computer Software
 Software is a collection of
programs instructing the
computer on what to do.
 System Software: Operating
systems (Windows 10/11, Linux,
Android, macOS).
 Application Software:
Browsers (Chrome, Firefox),
Office Suites (Word, Excel),
social media apps, media
players, mobile apps.
 Specialized Software:
Accounting software, medical
systems, management systems,
engineering tools.
Components of IT Systems- Managed
information/Data

 Data

• Raw facts and figures that on their own have no

meaning.
• These can be any alphanumeric characters i.e.
text, numbers, symbols.
• Examples:
• Survey response: Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes
• Scores: 42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86
• Sensor readings: 100, 150
• NOTE:
• None of the above data sets have any meaning until
they are given a CONTEXT and PROCESSED into a
useable form.
 Components of IT Systems-
Managed information/Data
 DataInformation  Real-world examples:
• Data must be: • Raw Data: 100, 150
• Collected • Context: Meter readings
• Organized
• Information: 50 units
• Processed
consumed.
• Contextualized
Before it becomes • Raw Data: Yes/No responses
meaningful information. • Context: Market research
Examples: financial • Information: 70% customers
statements, student prefer brand X
reports, and survey
analysis. • Raw Data: 45. 60, 90
 Information: Data that has • Context: Exam scores fot
Student Juma
been processed within a • Information: Average score,
context to give it meaning. grade classification
Components of IT Systems-
Managed information/Data
 Components of IT Systems-
Managed information/Data

Information = Data + Context + Meaning

Processing
Data – raw facts and
figures .
Information – data that has been processed
(in a context) to give it meaning.
Computer Definition + Parts
 An electronic device that can be instructed
to accept, process, store, and present data
and information.
 A computer processes input data using

algorithms and software to produce output.

 Core parts:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Memory (RAM)
• Storage (SSD/HDD)
• Input devices
• Output devices
 Computer Definition + Parts
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Is the heart of the computer and executes the
instructions (software) which tell the computer
what to do.
• This component is also known as the brains of the
computer.
 Memory(fast, expensive, short-term
memory)
• Is the component that (temporarily) stores data,
software and intermediate results.
• This is sometimes referred to as RAM (Random Access
Memory)
 Computer Definition + Parts
 Mass storage device (slower, cheaper,
long-term memory)
• Thisis the component that allows a
computer to permanently store large
amounts of data, information and software.
• This includes hard drives or disks, USB-drive (flash
disks/drives),memory card, CD-ROM,…
 Computer Definition + Parts
 Input device
• This is a device used to enter data and
instruction to a computer.
• Examples: Keyboard, mouse,…
 Output device
• This is a devise used to send data and
information from a computer to another
device.
OR
• This is device that allows someone to see
what the computer has accomplished.
• Examples: Monitor, printer, speaker, …
Computer Definition + Parts
 Types of Computers
 Typesof computers (based on size and
capacity) – four types:
• Super computer
• Mainframe computers
• Minicomputers
• Microcomputers
 Types of Computers
 Super computer
• Type of computer that has the highest
processing power of its time.
OR
• It is an extremely fast computer that can
perform hundreds of millions of instructions
per second.
• NOTE:
• You will not need this for just accessing Facebook
or Instagram.
• It is usually used for a lot of complex tasks like
weather forecasting, quantum mechanics,
modeling molecular structures, ….
 Types of Computers
 Mainframe computer
• Type of computer that is huge, with very high
processing power, but less than the
supercomputer.

• They are used by organizations that need to

store and process large amounts of data and
information.
• Used by big companies, government agencies and
banks.
 Minicomputers

• Type of computer that can support up to 200

users at the same time.
 Types of Computers
 Microcomputers

• Is a type of computer that is widely used and

the fastest growing type of computer.
• It is the cheapest compared to the other
three types of computers.
• It is especially designed for general usage
like entertainment, education and work
purposes.
• Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer
are Dell, HP, Acer, Apple, Samsung, Sony &
Toshiba.
• Examples:
• Desktop computers, Gaming consoles, Sound &
Functions of Information Technology
 Functions of Information Technology
 Capture
• The process of compiling detailed records of activities.
• Entering the records into the computer or system.
 Processing
• Is the process of converting, analyzing, computing, and
synthesizing all forms of data or information.
• Examples of processing:
• Data Processing
• Information Processing
• Word Processing
• Image Processing
• Voice Processing
Functions of Information Technology
 Generation

• Is the process of organizing information into a

useful form, whether as numbers, text, sound,
or visual image.
 Storage and Retrieval:
• Storage is the computer process of retaining
(keeping) information for future use.
• Retrieval is the process by which a computer
locates and copies stored data or information
for further processing or for transmission to
another user.
Functions of Information Technology

 Transmission

• Is the computer process of distributing

information over a communications
network.
• Electronic Mail, or E-Mail
• Voice Messaging, or Voice Mail
 Computer Memory Measurements
 Computers understands bits – 0’s and
1’s.
 A bit:

• Is the smallest unit of data in a computer.

• A bit has a single binary value, either 0 or 1.
 Information (or computer) Security
 The terms below usually refer to more or
less the same concept:
• Information security
• IT security
• Computer Security
• Cyber security
 Meaning:

• Protection
of data, information and computer
systems from harm, theft and unauthorized
use.
 Information (or computer) Security
 The main concepts:
• Confidentiality
• Integrity
• Availability
 Information (or computer) Security
 Confidentiality

• Protection of data and information from

unauthorized disclosure.
OR
• Means only authorized users can access the
data resources and information.

• NOTE:
• A loss of confidentiality is the unauthorized
disclosure of data and information.
 Information (or computer) Security
 Integrity

• Protection against improper or unauthorized

modification or destruction of data or
information.
OR
• Means only authorized users should be able
to modify the data or information when
needed.

• NOTE:
• A loss of integrity is the unauthorized modification
or destruction of data or information.
 Information (or computer) Security
 Availability:

• Ensuring timely and reliable access (and use)

to data or information and computer
systems.
OR
• Data or information and computer system
should be timely available to users when
needed.

• NOTE:
•A loss of availability is the disruption of timely
access to (or use of) data or information or
computer system.
Information (or computer) Security
 Computer Security Terminologies
 Adversary (threat agent)
• An entity (person or organization) that
attacks or compromises the security of data
or information or computer system of an
individual or organization.

 Attack

• An action that compromises the security of

data or information or computer system of an
individual or organization.
 Computer Security Terminologies
 Threat

• Possible danger that might exploit a

vulnerability.
 Vulnerability

• Flaw or weakness in a computer system that

could be exploited (used) to violate the
computer system’s security policy.
 Authenticity

• The property of being genuine and being able

to be verified and trusted.
• Verifying that users are who they say they are and
that each input arriving at the computer system
came from a trusted source
 Computer Security Terminologies
• Threat is what an organization is
defending itself against, e.g. a DoS
attack.
• Vulnerabilities are the gaps or
weaknesses that undermine an
organization’s IT security efforts, e.g. a
firewall flaw that lets hackers into a
network.
• Risk refers to the calculated assessment
of potential threats to an organization’s
security and vulnerabilities within its
 Computer Security Terminologies
 Security Policy
• Set of rules and practices that specify or regulate how
a computer system or organization provides security
services to protect sensitive and critical computer
system resources.
 Countermeasure
• An action, device, procedure or technique that
reduces, eliminates or reports the possibility of data,
information or computer system being compromised.
 Risk
• An expectation of loss expressed as the probability
that a particular threat will exploit a particular
vulnerability with a particular harmful result.
 Computer Security Terminologies
 System Resource (Asset)
• Data or information contained in computer system.
OR
• Service provided by a computer system.
OR
• Component of a computer system, can be hardware
or software.
OR
• Facility that houses a computer system or systems
and its components.
Computer Security Terminologies
Security Attacks
 Security Attacks
 Interruption

• This is an attack on availability.

 Interception

• This is an attack on confidentiality.

 Modification

• This is an attack on integrity.

 Fabrication

• This is an attack on authenticity.

 Malware
 The term malware came from two words:
• Malicious
• Software
 Simply put: Malware = Malicious
software

 Definition:

• Malware is a program or software (a set of

instructions) that has harmful or malicious
intentions to data, information or computer
system of an individual or organization.
 Malware can damage or destroy data,
information or computer system.
 Malware
 Types of malware:
• Virus
• Worm
• Trojan
• Spyware
• Adware
 Malware
 Virus

• Type of malware that attaches itself to another

program or file and performs malicious actions
when that program is opened.
• It depends on one to open a file or program
containing the virus for it (virus) to work.
 Worm

• Type of malware that maliciously reproduces

itself and spreads from computer to computer.
• It does not need a host file, host program or
external action for it (worm) to work.
 Malware
 Trojan

• Type of malware that presents itself as a very

useful software or file, but once downloaded,
it performs its malicious actions.
• It can be used to gain access to sensitive data and
then modify, block or delete the data.

 Spyware

• Type of malware that performs its malicious

actions secretly and reports back to a remote
user.
• It is often used to steal financial or personal
information.
 Malware
 Adware

• Type of malware that is used to collect data on

your computer usage and provide appropriate
advertisements to you.
Malware
Any Question(s)
END