Information technology focuses on using computers, networks, and digital technologies to process, store, and protect electronic information.
Information technology professionals provide hardware, software, and one-on-one device suppor t. Although most people’s interactions with IT involve computer issues, the work extends far beyond that. IT departments usually have three areas of responsibility –– operations, infrastructure and maintenance, and management. IT operations generally encompass engineering, database administration, or development. IT roles include: Some people within and outside of technology-related careers consider cybersecurity an IT-related job. As with other professions, job titles and responsibilities sometimes overlap. As a result, IT and cybersecurity workers may collaborate or handle some of the same responsibilities. But when analyzing essential job skills and responsibilities, IT and cybersecurity professionals take different approaches to safeguarding digital information. Cybersecurity tends to focus more on protecting the data itself than the infrastructure supporting it. As with cybersecurity, the number of people responsible for IT depends on a company’s resources. One person may handle multiple responsibilities –– or even everything IT-related. More than 12 million Americans worked in the IT sector in 2019. The net employment of people in technology-related jobs grew by 307,000 workers, up 2.6% from 2018. Some IT positions require advanced degrees, while others have entry-level opportunities. Here we’ve featured some of the most popular information technology jobs. CIOs typically hold executive-level status and manage an organization’s overall IT functions. Their responsibilities include directing the IT staff to ensure technology and cybersecurity functions stay efficient, safe, and up to date.
