Information technology is the development, maintenance, or use of systems — especially computer systems, software and networks — for storing, retrieving and sending information. Computer networking is the process of electronically linking two or more computing devices to exchange information through data connections.
Information technology and computer networking has changed the lifestyle of people all over the world:
- Everyone uses a computing device — a smartphone, tablet or computer.
- People can work from anywhere in the world.
- Companies can conduct video conferences, sharing ideas, software, and expertise from various locations simultaneously without losing time and money to travel.
- Information on any subject is available at the click of a mouse.
With the fast-paced, changing landscape of technology and communications, there is a downside — hackers. Hackers routinely try to break into personal and company networks; ransomware, identity theft, data loss/manipulation, denial of service attacks are a few of the attacks used. As a result, trained computer networking specialists are being called upon more and more to protect individual, companies and government information through constantly changing security processes.
Employment Outlook
Projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that employment in Computer Networking will continue to grow up to 8% between now and 2022. Approximately 42,000 new networking positions will be hired for across all types of industries in the U.S. and abroad.
The ever-increasing use of network technology, combined with the complexity of that technology means that trained specialists will be walking into a growing field that promises to continue to provide challenges and demands for many years to come.
