INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES (PART I)
2008 /02 /18
Information
technology has come a long way from it's original
configuration just for data entry.
Power, versatility and diversity are key elements that interfered and invaded all sectors of activity from the more minor sectors to the more essential sectors.
Information technology has become essential for services even for services that are themselves essential.
Any failure of this essential information technology would provoke an irreparable failure to the essential services concerned.
Locating essential information technology
Information technology largely controls all the essential services of our society.
This is where it's presence is the most frequent and the most critical.
Essential information technology is used in the transportation system such as metros, trains and planes whether it is networked or onboard it is present and necessary at all times. This technology is used for the security of passengers but also for the running of engines.
In communications, whether it be by technology convergence or infrastructure sharing, communicating via telephone, internet, television or radio is an absolute necessity and is totally inseparable from information technology. In a case of emergency or crisis, it is imperative to be able to communicate promptly and efficiently.
For individual and material security many different services are available such as the health and emergency care with their sophisticated equipments and multimedia access to their patients files. The police force which exploit a information system by onboard information technology. Firefighters with their space reference system for geomatics and building descriptions. Public protection with sophisticated intervention systems and campaign management. Paramedics equipped with direct vocal liaisons with the medical professionals or by video-conference. 9-1-1 services with performing ways for finding and identifying.
The water control systems, necessary at all times, but particularly in case of a crisis or a pandemic. Electricity distribution services are usually the main source for energy use. The National Defense for the protection of integrity and sovereignty of the State. Territory surveillance for the internal national security. Frontier surveillance to avoid unwanted invasions. Armed forces which are the right hand men for the preceding. And finally the information technology services that support the above mentioned services.
Essential information technology composition
Essential information technology is not generally lessened because it treats essential services. Most of the functionalities of traditional information technology is necessary. Therefore we find work station networks for each user. These networks and systems are linked to data warehouses that contain the primary materials necessary for each different service considered. It is also the same place that generated data is stored.
These networks are also linked to an information database that contains at the same time the memory and the know how of the organization. These types of databases are also linked to decision making systems, if they are important during service diffusion, they are even more important in the event of a crisis. Information technology can not ignore control systems and surveillance or all types. Equipment protection, information safety, and sometimes public security all depend on this technology. These control and surveillance systems are coupled with alarm systems intended to activate the actions required by a faulty. Like all information technology, essential information technology will use its report generator system
to best manage the process and services. Also essential information technology contains the transport network and information storage whether they are local or spread-out or a TCP/IP network like the Internet. Last but not least, essential information technology must have an essential infrastructure, in an exceptionally good functioning state, to support communications, transport and storage.
Normally functioning of essential information technology is highly invisible. It becomes visible to the public but only if there is a significant problem and the situation has escalated to critical.
Part II available in the March Newsletter
Power, versatility and diversity are key elements that interfered and invaded all sectors of activity from the more minor sectors to the more essential sectors.
Information technology has become essential for services even for services that are themselves essential.
Any failure of this essential information technology would provoke an irreparable failure to the essential services concerned.
Locating essential information technology
Information technology largely controls all the essential services of our society.
This is where it's presence is the most frequent and the most critical.
Essential information technology is used in the transportation system such as metros, trains and planes whether it is networked or onboard it is present and necessary at all times. This technology is used for the security of passengers but also for the running of engines.
In communications, whether it be by technology convergence or infrastructure sharing, communicating via telephone, internet, television or radio is an absolute necessity and is totally inseparable from information technology. In a case of emergency or crisis, it is imperative to be able to communicate promptly and efficiently.
For individual and material security many different services are available such as the health and emergency care with their sophisticated equipments and multimedia access to their patients files. The police force which exploit a information system by onboard information technology. Firefighters with their space reference system for geomatics and building descriptions. Public protection with sophisticated intervention systems and campaign management. Paramedics equipped with direct vocal liaisons with the medical professionals or by video-conference. 9-1-1 services with performing ways for finding and identifying.
The water control systems, necessary at all times, but particularly in case of a crisis or a pandemic. Electricity distribution services are usually the main source for energy use. The National Defense for the protection of integrity and sovereignty of the State. Territory surveillance for the internal national security. Frontier surveillance to avoid unwanted invasions. Armed forces which are the right hand men for the preceding. And finally the information technology services that support the above mentioned services.
Essential information technology composition
Essential information technology is not generally lessened because it treats essential services. Most of the functionalities of traditional information technology is necessary. Therefore we find work station networks for each user. These networks and systems are linked to data warehouses that contain the primary materials necessary for each different service considered. It is also the same place that generated data is stored.
These networks are also linked to an information database that contains at the same time the memory and the know how of the organization. These types of databases are also linked to decision making systems, if they are important during service diffusion, they are even more important in the event of a crisis. Information technology can not ignore control systems and surveillance or all types. Equipment protection, information safety, and sometimes public security all depend on this technology. These control and surveillance systems are coupled with alarm systems intended to activate the actions required by a faulty. Like all information technology, essential information technology will use its report generator system
to best manage the process and services. Also essential information technology contains the transport network and information storage whether they are local or spread-out or a TCP/IP network like the Internet. Last but not least, essential information technology must have an essential infrastructure, in an exceptionally good functioning state, to support communications, transport and storage.
Normally functioning of essential information technology is highly invisible. It becomes visible to the public but only if there is a significant problem and the situation has escalated to critical.
Part II available in the March Newsletter