Integrated Professional Skills in Digital Age (Distinction Criteria)

This report discusses the impact of collaboration tools, cloud computing, privacy and security challenges, and crypto currency in the digital age. It covers the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies and their suitability and applicability in various fields. The report also highlights the privacy and security challenges that come with the growing use of the internet.

Integrated Professional
Skills in Digital Age
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY .................................................................................................................................3
Collaboration tools and their significance..................................................................................3
Cloud storage and computing.....................................................................................................5
Privacy and security challenges..................................................................................................8
Importance of crypto currency....................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................11
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REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Information technology is gaining immense significance due to the advancements and
convenience it allows to the people. Growing use of information systems in businesses helps
them in expansion maximising profitability margins of a business entity. In recent years, mostly
every business have adopted digital marketing tools and techniques to grow their market and for
the purpose of increasing brand awareness. The development of enhanced digitalisation allows
businesses and corporations to enlarge their networking areas and extend the dimensions of their
progress. The following report involves the discussion regarding impact of collaboration tools
and techniques to promote business activities. It also explains the relevance of cloud computing
and e-commerce activities in encouraging the process of digitalisation. The growing online
activities also give rise to the cyber attackers indicating invasion of privacy and breaching of
security. Additionally, this report discuss the importance of crypto currency in the course of a
business entity.
MAIN BODY
Collaboration tools and their significance
A collaboration tool helps in integrating the efforts of individuals in order to achieve
common organisational goals. Collaboration tools can be both tangible and non-tangible assets
that includes software providing technological assistance. The use of these tools facilitate
communication and exchange of ideas through processes that connect people without being
present in the same place (Sankaran, Müller and Drouin, 2020). There are various collaboration
tools which promotes connection through online networking platforms two of which are
discussed below:
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft teams is a communication facilitating platform developed by Microsoft by
extending the Microsoft family. Teams provide various options to access interaction and allow
ideas to interchange across various geographical boundaries. Teams helped businesses to
conduct their operations online through delivering of ideas and services to sustain their entities in
the tough times of pandemic. Teams is showing emerging significance in numerous fileds
including educational institutions, medical departments, financial isntitutions and government
organisations. Teams has offered numerous benefits to businesses and provided ease in
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conducting business meetings. Following are the advantages and significance of Microsoft teams
in facilitating business functions. Assist in strong communication: Microsoft Teams helps in connecting various
boundaries including remote areas. It reduce the need of physical contact between people
and simplify the interaction proeccess by providing convenience. Microsoft teams helped
in sustenance of business entities by preventing discontinuation of operations of
corporations. Easily accessible: Microsoft Teams can be accessed from any device including mobile
phones. It does not limit its usage by the need of any hardware or software, teams offers
maximum convenience to its users (Jussila and et.al., 2021). It supports its access on
windows, mac, android as well as IOS as long as it is supported by an internet
connection. Options enabling ease in scheduling: Microsoft Teams has the option which sync
scheduled appointments with other team members regarding which discussion took place
in seperate chat threads. Ms teams helped in making plans and stratgeies through
discussing in meetings. It also has the option where necessary documents can be
uploaded in meetings. For instance, educational institutions uploaded exam paper while
conducting online exam meetings. Works as a digital workplace: MS teams serve as a digital workplace where members of
an organisation can avail the options of video caliing, voice chatting, post assignmemnts,
accomplish targets and make use of many more options. It allows interface
communication of multiple members at a time and act like a saviour providing assistance
in tough conditions of lockdown.
 Increased productivity while ensuring low costs: Collaboration tools like ms teams
helped businesses to save various costs that incur in physical workplace like electricity
and employees maintenance costs, it also reduce expenses for employees like
transportation expenses spent in going to workplace (Hill, 2021). It ensures high
productivity as employees work with efficiency at their homes along with the redcution
in various expenses.
Social Media
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In recent years, everyone is familiar with the relevance and significance of social media
platforms. It serve as an excellent collaboration tool by promoting high interaction and strong
communication to a greater extent. There are various platforms of social media which allows
interchange of ideas and expand business opportunities for better growth (Abdel-Basset, Abdle-
Fatah and Sangaiah, 2019). Following are the platforms provided by social media and their
relevance in helping business to sustain in tough times of pandemic. Instagram: Instagram is filled with millions of business accounts which are conducting
their operations online. Instagram shopping is gaining wide recognition these days which
ensured compliance with social distancing criteria and adopted delivery practices
ensuring high safety measures. Due to maximum engagement of people on instagram,
marketing and brand promotion has become easy for online businesses. These online
brands identify bloggers through analysing who maintain high reach and pay for the
purpose of brand promotion. Thus, instagram provides emerging and existing businesses
new opportunities to expend dimensions of their operations by maximising interaction. You tube: You tube is a source of steady income for entrepreneurs and businesses which
shows increased usage during pandemic as people were relying on youtube to cope with
boredom and had ample of time to engage themselves in using You tube. You tube ads
serve as a major advantage to businesses in maintaining their presence and existence in
minds of audience. It acts as a great platforms where various individuals display their
ideas in the form of creative content and presentation.
 Whatsapp and Facebook: These social media helped small scale and medium entreprises
as well as sole proprietors to conduct business activities online during pandemic and post
pandemic conditions. Along with this, it works as an brilliant collaboration tools for
small organisations where group interaction is mainly done through whatsapp group
chats and video calls.
Cloud storage and computing
Cloud computing is a software that works as a digital infrastructutre which helps in data
storage and keep track of necessary information useful to users (Ponmagal and et.al., 2020).
Cloud computing is used widely by organisations and corporations for numerous purpose like
data storage, backup, recovery, developing software, analysing data and other functions like that.
Cloud is used by mostly everyone these days, people are making use of cloud computing without
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even knowing. Whoever is engaged in usage of email, youtube or ever avail the option of data
backup using internet, they are involved in application of cloud computing. Cloud computing has
became a popular concept in the digitally-oriented world where internet is being used massively
by everyone.
Advantages of cloud computing Helps in data recovery and backup: Data stored on cloud cannot be lost as it can always
recovered through back up. Organisations maintains lot of information and it gets dificult
to save all such information without having threat of losing it. Thanks to cloud
computing, individuals and organisational structures frequently use cloud for the purpose
of restoring data. Make collaboration more effecctive: Cloud provide the facility of shared storage that
allow group of individuals to easily exchange information which is useful in various
business organisations (Wang, Zhong and Li, 2021). It assist in processes of interaction
among employees with maximum ease and effectiveness. Encourage sustainable practices: It is not possible for organisations to claim that they
are contibuting in enviromental friendly practices through just having a recycle bin. The
present conditions prevailing in the environment demands real time effective processes
which actually provides assistance in ensuring sustainabiltiy. Effecient processes like
Cloud computing do not need any physical assests which implies no resources are being
depleted. Automation of upgradation: Cloud computing facilitate automated processes for the
purpose of software update and saves the time of organisations by investing in training
and efforts of IT department. It automatically update and upgrade its services and formats
implying betterment and save efforts of others.
 Ease in sorting data and provide insights: In this tech freak world, everyone is familiar
with the relevance of data. It is diffciult for Large and complex organisations to manage
their data manually without any assistance (Negi, and et.al., 2021). Organisations need
their data sorted so they can formulate plans and strategies through identifying and
analysing important data. Cloud computing offer tracking mechanisms and make
summarised reports that helps organisation to get basic idea about all of their relevant
data.
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Disadvantages of cloud computing Restricted control: The execution of cloud based processes is fully owned and managed
by the providers of services. Hence it limits the control of user in the functioning of
systems in cloud infrastructure. Security issues and posing threat of hackers: Although cloud computing ensures highest
security protocols in execution of its functions and services. The use of cloud storage
includes exposing a lot of valuable information and sensitive data by organisations to the
service provider (Sharma, Sengupta and Suri, 2019) There always exist chances of
hackers attacks and may leads to miuse of information for gaining some misleading
advantage against an organisation. Internet connection: The features of cloud computing cannot be accessed without
availability of good internet services. It requires internet connectivity if someone wants
to access stored information and data. Without internet, one cannot access the data they
stored on cloud storage. The problem of low bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the limit of maximum data which
can be transmitted with the help of an internet connection in a specific period of time.
Often, it happens that transmission capacity is restricted by the cloud service provider. In
that case, to make use of internet services additional cost have to be incurred which could
be costly.
 Technical difficulties: Technical issues are always likely to happen when working within
digital infrastructure. The service provider may face several issues regarding low
connectivity and other errors (Putney and et.al., 2019).Therefore, proper maintenance of
these software could be serve as a issue.
Suitability and applicability of cloud storage
 Cloud could be beneficial for the purpose of collaborating among social media and
various applications. The applications which promote social networking could make
effective use of cloud computing because it includes sharing of data in massive amounts.
 Developing applications and testing them could be effective with the applicability of
cloud. It requires low investment and help various kinds of organisations with enhanced
development. Cloud computing is capable of offering multiple advantages to mobile
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applications. Mobile applications could be installed and benefitted from fast speed and
flexibility as well development features offered through cloud computing services.
 Applications like calenders, word processors, blogging systems, e-learning and other
mobile applications are able to perform better with effective usage of cloud computing.
 Multimedia and batch applications are highly suitable for making effective use of cloud
computing and gets benefitted from its services (Pousttchi and Dehnert, 2018).
Privacy and security challenges
Increasing digitalisation and emerging use of internet served as a saviour and offered
relief for the purpose of sustenance of business organisations. However, it also comes with
various threats and challenges that can increase the fradualent practices of cyber attackers.
Following are some major privacy and security challenges that need immediate attention. Fraudalent activities regarding finance: Online practices of conducting business
activities frequently face the threat of financial frauds. Hackers and imposters
wrongfully conceive sensitive data and personal details from individuals who are less
aware. Cyber attackers obtain individual's bank informations and passwords which can
be used against them. The growing use of online payment options posed a major threat
for individuals as well as business organisations. Various applications and game apps
ask for access to media and are capable of obtaining personal information which can be
used for exploiting their financial resources. Financial frauds cannot be stopped but
people can become more aware regarding them and take precautionary measures. Make
sure to never share OTPs and bank details with anyone unless a person is fully aware
about methods and processes of online payments. Spamming and phising attacks: Individuals frequently recieve mails and text messages
where imposters make false pretence as a offiicial business owner and fool customers by
securing transactions. They decieve audience and recieve payments and do not deliver
the service or product. Despite being businesses attempting to grow awareness regarding
these misleading practices, innocent and less aware customers are most likely to get in
trap of these cyber attackers. To prevent exploitation from imposters, individuals must
carefully evaluate authentication and identity of a business account. They should
perform transactions with only verified and genuine business accounts.
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 Malicious software: Hackers are capable of inserting malware on organisational IT
structures without them realising it. This may leads to virus attacks and imposed danger
on the systems of customers and other users who access organisational websites and
their online services. These malicious programms slow down the working of computer
systems and are capable of deleting data containing sensitive or personal information. To
avoid virus attacks one should be careful while downloading files from unknown sites
and if any virus attack is anticipated then one should ensure data backup to prevent data
loss (Jacobi and Brenner, 2018) Promote manipulative actions: Social media platforms allows interaction and provides
ease in interchange of ideas in promoting marketing functions. However, social media
could make appearances deceptive and might manipulate customers by fabricating
quality and designs. Social media marketing make effective use of modern visuals and
vibrant graphics which attracts audience while reality is quite different from what is
being presented. Social media manipulate individuals therefore people are suggested not
to blindly trust brands and should go through their content to check authencity and
originality.
 Invasion of privacy: The growing use of internet is highly synonymous to privacy
invasion. Mostly every application that supports business activities needs access to users
media and requires personal information. Hence, it is not at all possible to engage in use
of digital platforms while maintaining absolute privacy concerns of individuals.
Sometimes individuals make use of private information wrongfully to deal with personal
grudges or simply to gain distrusting advantages. Moreover, mostly every website an
individual visits it uses cookies to track information and invades privacy. Private
browsing serve as a convenient option for those who are extremely concerned regareding
their personal activities.
Importance of crypto currency
Cryptocurrency is a type of virtual currency which is defined by its digital presence and
performs transactions using cryptography. Cryptography is a technical study which only allow
sender and receiver of a message to access the delivered content (Yue, Zhang and Zhang, 2021).
A cryptocurrency is encrypted decentralised system which implies security and serve as a record
of transactions like buying, selling and transferring. Cryptocurrencies are supported through
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cryptographic codes that are managed in mining process where computer based networks ensure
processes and secure transactions. Examples of some popular cryptocurrencies includes Bitcoin,
Monero, Litecoin and Ether etc. Cryptocurrencies are gaining popularity and those who have
engaged in the usage of cryptocurrencies benefitted from it. The concept of using
cryptocurrencies affected economic world on international level and impacted upon various
factors of financial aspects. Cryptocurrencies are capable of offering high security because it
process transactions using extremely complex cryptographic algorithms which provides high
encryption (Raimundo Júnior and et.al., 2020).
Cryptocurrencies is a method of making payments for the purpose of exchanging goods
and services online. The creation of these currencies mostly called tokens are adopted by
numerous businesses facilitating secure transactions of goods and services. First of all, original
currency had to be exchanged for allowing the usage of cryptocurrencies introduced by business
entities. The system followed by these currencies is decentralised process which maintains
transactions across many computers. This technique provides highest and maximum security to
the occurence of a transaction. The adoptiom of cryptocurrencies comes with numerous
opportunities and advantages which are likely to increase the magnitude of success for an
organisation. However, the introduction of these currencies in businesses requires critical
evaluation and thorough analysis. Businesses must have a clear understanding before
encouraging usage of cryptocurrencies. Following points should be considered while adopting
the usage of these currencies.
 Introduction of such currencies will enhance the knowledge and understanding of the
functioning of decentralised systems followed by cryptocurrencies. Increasing awareness
of technological transformation will benefit a company in improvement of its position in
the market (Shaydullina, 2018). Current trends shows possibility of development of
central bank digital currencies and therefore better understanding of such systems helps
in improving performance of an organisation.
 In recent years, the prefernces of using cryptocurrencies by stakeholders and clients is
emerging faster. Such vendors prefer execution of business functions through application
of cryptocurrencies. Therefore, businesses are considering the idea of their adoption to
prepare themselves for fulfiling transactions.
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 The use of these currencies ensures the prevention of freezing assets which cannot be
readily converted into cash as well as bank accounts which could happen due to political
disruption in case of real currencies. Cryptocurrencies follow decentralised system which
ensures their availability in numerous locations all over the world and can be accessed
whenever they are required.
 The concept of cryptocurrencies are becoming familiar in recent years due to growing
awareness and significance of digitalisation. Previously only those who are regularly
engaged in activities conducted on online platforms are aware about the applicability of
such currencies (Romanchenko and et.al., 2018). Now, their growing emergence provides
businesses with many opportunies and exposure if implemented in business's systems.
 Despite being the numerous benefits that these currencies offers, small scale business
enterprises are suggested to take precautions and critically examine the current conditons.
The value of such currencies are tend to fluctuate and are likely to create crisis in case it
happens.
CONCLUSION
As per the view of respective report, it has been concluded that implementation of
collaboration tools helped businesses and corporations to sustain during the tough times of
pandemic. Collaboration tools facilitates convenience in communication and assist interaction of
multiple people at a time. It has been analysed that cloud computing and storage is an excellent
application based software which has numerous benefits but have some risk factors associated
with it. This report concludes that with the increasing relevance of digitalisation and internet,
there are also various challenges lying in the transformation process of digitalisation. Internet
services give rise to security and privacy risks which have become hard to deal with. It has been
concluded that adoption of cryptocurrencies requires thoughtful analysis and few risks associated
with it, but is very effective and have potential generating outcomes.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abdel-Basset, M., Abdle-Fatah, L. and Sangaiah, A.K., 2019. An improved Lévy based whale
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Hill, B., 2021. Creative collaboration in the cloud: Using Splice Studio and Audiomovers to
enhance online music education outcomes. Perfect Beat, 21(2), pp.173-181.
Jacobi, R. and Brenner, E., 2018. How large corporations survive digitalization. In Digital
marketplaces unleashed (pp. 83-97). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Jussila, J. and et.al., 2021. Virtual Hackathons—A Novel Approach for University-Industry
Collaboration. In Research and Innovation Forum 2020: Disruptive Technologies in
Times of Change (pp. 247-257). Springer International Publishing.
Negi, S. and et.al., 2021. CMODLB: an efficient load balancing approach in cloud computing
environment. The Journal of Supercomputing, pp.1-53.
Ponmagal, R.S. and et.al., 2020. Optimized virtual network function provisioning technique for
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Pousttchi, K. and Dehnert, M., 2018. Exploring the digitalization impact on consumer decision-
making in retail banking. Electronic Markets, 28(3), pp.265-286.
Putney, J.M. and et.al., 2019. Teaching note—Implementation of online client simulation to train
and assess screening and brief intervention skills. Journal of Social Work
Education, 55(1), pp.194-201.
Raimundo Júnior, G.D.S. and et.al., 2020. Market stress and herding: a new approach to the
cryptocurrency market. Journal of Behavioral Finance, pp.1-15.
Romanchenko, O. and et.al., 2018, October. Approach of estimation of the fair value of assets on
a cryptocurrency market. In The 2018 International Conference on Digital Science (pp.
245-253). Springer, Cham.
Sankaran, S., Müller, R. and Drouin, N., 2020. Investigating collaboration in project
management research: using action research as a meta-methodology. International
Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Sharma, P., Sengupta, J. and Suri, P.K., 2019. Survey of intrusion detection techniques and
architectures in cloud computing. International Journal of High Performance Computing
and Networking, 13(2), pp.184-198.
Shaydullina, V., 2018. Cryptocurrency as New Economic and Legal Phenomenon. Vestnik
universiteta, (2), pp.137-142.
Wang, D., Zhong, D. and Li, L., 2021. A comprehensive study of the role of cloud computing on
the information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) processes. Library Hi Tech.
Yue, W., Zhang, S. and Zhang, Q., 2021. Asymmetric news effects on cryptocurrency liquidity:
An Event study perspective. Finance Research Letters, 41, p.101799.
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