Sarah's IT Learning Journal

As I continued exploring core information technology concepts in this course, I examined how database management connects to the fundamental components of modern computing. By analyzing how structured data systems rely on hardware, software, programming logic, networking, and security practices, I explored how databases support everyday business operations and form a foundational part of modern IT infrastructure. Foundations of Information Technology Storing and managing information efficiently is one of the central goals of information technology, and it’s structured databases that make that possible. Organizations rely on systems that can store large amounts of data in consistent formats and retrieve it quickly when needed (Oracle, 2020). In my role working with dealership inventory data, I handle records that are organized into specific fields and processed through automated workflows. When inventory is imported, updated, or exported, the system coordinates hardware, software, a...

For this assignment, I examined two major cybersecurity threats – phishing and ransomware – and analyzed why computer systems are vulnerable to them. I explored how each type of breach occurs, the damage it can cause after compromising a system, and practical strategies individuals and organizations can use to reduce risk. By connecting course concepts with current industry research, this post highlights both the technical and human factors that make cybersecurity an ongoing challenge. Information and system security are essential for protecting personal and business data in today’s digital world. As people and organizations use computers and the internet more, they become more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. These threats often exploit both technical flaws and human error. Phishing and ransomware are two major examples of cybersecurity threats that can cause financial loss, data breaches, and disruptions to daily activities. Learning how these attacks work, the harm they cause,...

As part of examining how information technology functions in professional environments, I analyzed the role computers play in the web hosting industry, drawing from both my experience and course concepts. In this post, I explain why computer literacy is essential in this field and explore how advancements in hardware, operating systems, networking, and artificial intelligence may shape the industry over the next decade. I chose to focus on the web hosting industry, particularly technical support, because that’s the field I work in and have the most recent experience with. Having worked in web hosting for nearly a decade, I have seen how central computers are to every aspect of this field. They are required not only to display websites for end users but also to manage and maintain them behind the scenes. Digital strategists rely on computers to monitor performance, while technical support teams resolve issues that affect website functionality. Site owners can make some changes through a...

While working through networking concepts in this course, I used the ping and traceroute commands to better understand how data moves across the internet. By testing different destinations, I compared packet paths, response times, and network routes, and explored how these tools help diagnose connection problems and identify potential network issues. To control as many variables as possible, I chose to test popular search engines in different countries. In addition to Google.com, I tested Google.com.au, Google.co.jp, and Baidu.com, which is a popular search engine in China. I expected the Google sites associated with Australia and Japan to show noticeably higher response times due to geographic distance. However, all three Google domains returned very similar average roundtrip times (26–32 ms) with 0% packet loss. The traceroute results supported this similarity. All three Google domains reached their destination in 11–12 hops, and each trace showed a single timeout at the same poi...