Integrated Professional Skills in the Digital Age: Collaboration Tools, Cloud Computing, Data Security, and Russia's Sovereign Internet

CFPBUS006 INTEGRATED
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Table of Contents.
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Importance of collaboration tool during pandemic......................................................................3
Advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage or computing...................................................5
Identify privacy and security challenges and discuss what possible measures could be taken...7
Benefits and limitations of own internet in Russia......................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
In the modern business world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is very
significant in the development and performance of an organisation. ICT is an umbrella term,
refers to the different technological tools and resources used to share, store, create, exchange or
transmit information (Bahrini, R. and Qaffas, A. A., 2019). The report will discuss the
importance of collaboration tools which have help the businesses to survive during the Covid-19
pandemic. Further, the report will analyse the advantages, disadvantages, suitability and
application of cloud storage and computing in improving digitalisation. The report will identify
the challenges to the privacy & security and measures to control them which sees a marginal rise
during and after pandemic. Lastly, it will discuss the benefits and limitations of the network
which Russia is trying to develop to disconnect from the global internet due to the Ukraine's
conflict.
Importance of collaboration tool during pandemic
Collaboration tools are the software programmes, apps or platforms which is useful for a
company and its workforce to streamline their work and perform together in an effective and
efficient manner. Before pandemic, many enterprises resisted remote work and collaboration
tools due to afraid of being less productive (Sasangohar, F. and et.al., 2020). But after 2020,
organisations forced operating remotely because of the lockdown and collaboration technology
importance can further be elaborated as:
 Reduced costs: One of the key important justification of the tool is to reduce the cost of
travel for face-to-face conversation. Due to the regional and international restrictions
during pandemic taught companies how they can permanently move to online mode in
regard to certain corporate meetings, conferences and conventions which helps to cut the
cost.
 Greater agility: Another essential importance of the tools are that due to the online
format, performance gets done faster as meetings are conducted more simply and
quickly. Meeting can be scheduled according to everyone's availability from wherever
they are working.
 Boost team morale: It is an important aspect of collaboration tool as each employee's
work is being acknowledged rather than lost in the emails. Due to this, workforce can be
able to generate new ideas and enable them to communicate knowledge which is

comparatively easier to inspire. For example, Shared document comment's which is
visible to others may spark an idea in another.
 Remote collaboration is easier: It is another importance which helps many businesses
to embrace online mode for the very first time. Perhaps, it was easier for them to
communicate with their colleagues globally. One of the best example would be
PleaseReview tool used by WHO's to conduct an assembly during pandemic and it was
attended by hundreds. It was first-ever digital assembly.
 Better customer engagement: This is one more importance of the tool for the
companies. Many organisations started offering channels which includes the texting,
video or calling sessions to deliver the customer care support experience in a better way.
It also helps to keep the check with their competitors.
Covid-19 pandemic has not only affected the working place but has a great impact on
how they work. The companies were able to communicate with their executives and employees
during pandemic with the help of collaboration tools. The major used tools are:
 MS Teams: It is a workplace product that is introduced by Microsoft due to pandemic
which allows virtual working possible. It comprised of various functions like chat &
video conferencing, file storage, file sharing with PowerPoint, Excel, Word and
OneNote (McNett, M., 2020). It offered remote work environment with effective
traditional method of communication while meeting security needs. Further, benefits
which during pandemic for business to keep alive are employees were able to connect
with colleagues through high-quality video and audio facilities which allow an
individual to work in a team. The chat feature allowed employees to be engaged and
connected rather than being felt isolated. Co-authoring supports help to prevent the
employee's from frustration and can perform face-to-face discussion over doubts in
document. Centralized communication, Supporting group formation and recorded
events & meetings are other advantages of using MS Teams which saves the businesses
from drowning.
 Zoom: No industry except pharmaceutical was immune from the pandemic impact and
some were able to survive while other's failed to. Companies who were able to adapt
the change and had opted for collaboration tool may have survived. Zoom, being a
video conferencing service witnessed a sharp rise in the usage. This tool was an