What Is Information Technology?

Let’s begin by answering the question “what is information technology?” For many people, IT is who we call for help when our computers aren’t working. While this isn’t necessarily incorrect, IT as a field encompasses much, much more.

IT involves the maintenance of computers and their operations, which comprises everything from computer hardware and software, network architecture, cloud computing cloud services, electronic data processing and data and cyber security. It can also involve trends in artificial intelligence, which is building momentum in the technology we use daily in our e-commerce, education, jobs and lives.

At its core, IT serves to solve problems on a broad scale. Without functioning systems, many organizations would likely grind to a halt. It would be difficult to find a business anywhere that doesn’t rely at least partially on computers and the networks that connect them to improve its efficiency and meet strategic goals.

Many businesses find it necessary to implement more sophisticated programs and solutions as they grow or work with other enterprises. Having strong IT systems can help set businesses apart from their competitors by providing reliable infrastructure and analytical capabilities that will help in their efforts to outpace or out-deliver them.

There are many aspects of IT operations that are essential to businesses running securely. Whether on a small or global scale, the following concepts help IT teams keep data safely out of the hands of cybercriminals:

In our interconnected world, our personal data lives on our devices and online through banks, healthcare providers, e-commerce sites and anywhere else we conduct business. We frequently hear of breaches or hacks that compromise data; although major incidents make headlines, these instances affect only a small fraction of the sensitive data stored online.

Cyber security professionals work behind the scenes to keep your data safe from cybercriminals. People who specialize in information and cyber security are skilled at assessing threats, developing countermeasures, ensuring network security, auditing system usage and implementing disaster recovery plans. They also have the knowledge to trace and identify the source of threats using computer forensic techniques.

Cloud computing company Domo released their annual Data Never Sleeps infographic in 2023, showing how much data is generated every minute. That year, users sent 41.6 million messages using WhatsApp, Tweeted 360,000 times and typed 6,944 prompts into ChatGPT.

Businesses of all sizes depend on the accurate and timely sharing of data to get the job done. IT professionals who specialize in database management are experts in data storage and retrieval, database management system (DBMS) architecture, data backup and recovery, data archives and more.

Database professionals often work alongside network administration and design professionals like network architects, managers and analysts who understand how data is transmitted from device to device. These specialists excel in network design, in-house company networks, cloud computing, mobile networks and network security.

Whether you call it the help desk, the service desk or desktop support, there is hardly a more useful resource to a frustrated computer user than the technical support employee who can solve their computer problems.

Successful support professionals are patient and understanding, with the ability to ask the right questions and get to the root of an issue. They have a broad-based understanding of hardware, software and systems, oftentimes with knowledge of specific applications and software relevant to the industry they work in. A technical support team is typically organized in tiers, with entry-level employees referring complex problems to their more experienced colleagues.

Software developers are essential to businesses looking to update or create programs and applications. Developers work closely with business analysts to audit and upgrade systems, generate code for new software solutions, maintain and test software, and document how their programs and apps work.

Some developers specialize in particular types of software like apps, databases or operating systems, while others focus on specific industries like finance, healthcare, gaming or ecommerce. Many developers work on technology product teams, but there are some who work solo to develop their own apps for the open market.

Even with all its complexities and innovations, modern information technology can still be broken down to two major parts: hardware and software.

The physical equipment required to manage information is referred to as hardware. This consists of the devices we rely upon daily to communicate and manage and store information, such as phones and laptops. It also includes peripheral devices like printers, switches, servers and routers that are used by work-from-home individuals and giant data centers alike.

The software component of IT has two basic parts: system software and applications. Systems software manages basic computing functions; without it, your computer or phone would not know how to run the applications that we use and rely on every single day.

Examples of system software include operating systems like Windows or iOS, device drivers that help your hardware work with your operating system or firmware that comes pre-loaded onto devices to control basic functions.

Application software enable us to perform a wide range of tasks. In large and small businesses, apps are used to analyze data, send and receive emails, create and share documents, manage payroll or develop customer relationships. In our personal lives, apps allow us to post on social media, file our tax returns, navigate our way past traffic jams or shop online.

Deciding what degree is good for pursuing information technology careers depends on your goals and areas of interest. Do you want to be a hands-on developer? Help solve complex problems for users? Manage systems, networks or data? Become a leader? It may help you to look for programs that offer hands-on experience working with foundational technologies and IT concepts, provide access to the equipment and tools that you’ll use in the field, and opportunities to specialize your IT degree in a particular discipline.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that those pursuing careers in computers and information technology typically need a bachelor’s degree, though in some cases master’s-level education may be required. At DeVry, we offer a variety of technology certificate and degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels to help you prepare to pursue your goals, no matter what corner of IT you’re most interested in. 

The following programs from DeVry can give you an idea of where to start on your journey toward pursuing a career in IT. 

The BLS projects overall employment in computer and information technology occupations to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032, with about 377,500 openings each year, on average, over this period.¹ This growth is projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers, not just entry level.

Information technology degree jobs may go by different names depending on the organization, but some of the titles for IT jobs by area of expertise include:

Certifications are an important consideration in information technology. They are intended to validate the skills you’ve already learned, and can help you stay in the know about innovative technologies or processes.

There are many top IT certifications in the areas of cloud computing, data privacy, cyber security, data management and project management. A few of these include:

Hard IT skills to acquire include hardware and software deployment, database management, cloud computing and machine learning and artificial intelligence. Technical proficiency in these areas can help you to troubleshoot issues as they arise and better understand your organization’s information technology goals.

If you’re preparing to pursue a career in information technology it’s important to know that workplace (also called soft, or interpersonal) skills could make you a more attractive candidate for IT management positions and serve you well as your career progresses.

Soft skills that could help make you a more effective IT manager are communication, strategic thinking, time and conflict management skills and knowing how to delegate tasks to get the best out of a group.

Depending upon the size of the organization and its IT department, your management responsibilities could also include interviewing and hiring team members, leading IT department meetings, supervising and training, evaluating employee performance, setting goals and managing budgets.

Salaries for IT professionals can vary based on experience, education or your geographical location, among other factors. For a better understanding of earning potential for information technology or other fields, we recommend referencing the occupational data provided by the BLS, where you can learn about median salary ranges, education requirements and more.

At DeVry, our technology programs are designed with certifications in mind. Qualified DeVry students enrolled in an eligible program may receive up to a $300 reimbursement to pursue one industry-relevant certification, including CompTIA’s A+, Linux+, Network+ and Cloud Essentials+ credentials.

Our programs are taught by experienced professors who work in the industries they teach and are able to provide you valuable insight as well as help you gain practical foundational skills that you can build on as you move through your career.

DeVry offers the flexibility to learn in a way that works for you, with many of our programs available 100% online or in a hybrid format.²