Integrated Professional Skills in Digital Age

This paper analyzes the role of ICT in pandemic situations, collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Trello, Slack, cloud storage, cloud computing, privacy, and security challenges faced by businesses.

Integrated
Professional Skills in
Digital Age

Abstract
This paper analyses about the information communication technology (ICT) ,
its roles and requirement in the pandemic situation. This will basically provides the
general information regarding the collaboration tools such as, Microsoft teams,
trello, slack, air table, web-ex meetings etc. which have played a great role in
connecting people , providing informations, and spreading general awareness also.
With great uses, comes disadvantages too, which are also analysed below. Moving
further, this report contains the term cloud storage, its uses, suitability and other
features. It is the most effective tool used to store files in. cloud computing and
privacy and security is also highlighted in this report. As privacy is the basic
requirement for every business organisation, its importance is also discussed over
here. As threats are the common issue faced by the networking sites and the business
organisations, some protective measures are also provided by this report, including
this, the challenges and benefits of the private internet local to a specific country are
debated over here. And at last, a brief conclusion is provided, so as to make the
research more specific and clear.

Table of Contents
Abstract.................................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY.......................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW OF COLLABORATION TOOLS..........................................................4
Analysis and Discussion..................................................................................................................6
Privacy and security during pandemics ..........................................................................................7
Private VS Public internet ...............................................................................................................7
Conclusion............................................................................................................................................8
References ...........................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Information and communication technology is a type oof instrument which is used to create,
store, transfer and exchange of information. It plays an important role in operating a business- helps
in creating smooth connects among the employees, workers, suppliers and customers, useful to
maintain the inventory in the organisation, to manage the organisation's information system,
important for ensuring good customer relationship management (Magerakis and Habib, 2021). It is
helpful for taking various business decisions related to the finance of the company, sales, trends in
market, etc. During COVID 19, ICT helps business to keep connected, provide distributed services,
helps in fulfilling business needs and helps in conducting virtual education system. This report will
also discuss various elements related to modern business technologies which are being rapidly
integrated into companies nowadays such as cloud computing and cloud storage which are seeing
widespread adoption rates recently. Key discussion will also be held in regards to the various
privacy and security challenges that businesses face such as hacking and phishing along with the
threat of sensitive data leaks and there will also be discussion held on the drawbacks and benefits of
private and public networks.
MAIN BODY
LITERATURE REVIEW OF COLLABORATION TOOLS
Collaboration tools are instruments like apps or software programmes which used by
business teams and groups to connect with each other for their business objectives. They could be
technological like zoom and Skype and non- technological like newspapers, whiteboards, etc. These
tools are like whiteboards present in the conference room where employees sit around for meetings.
These are helpful in increasing the the efficiency and effectiveness, it also boosts productivity and
satisfaction of employees. According to the opinion of Lauren Reed, 2020 these tools are very
helpful in connecting to people as it is easy to create an account and schedule meeting (10 Benefits
of Zoom for Small Businesses, According to This CTO, 2022). The benefits of connecting through
these platforms is that you can easily share your ideas and helps in connecting large groups without
physical office space, it also helps in keeping business organised, they mostly they ask for
permission before sharing your files other people. Collaboration tools helps in keeping information
secure and safe by providing safety policies. They are easy and affordable and people use
collaboration tool as a troubleshooting, as it also allows you to switch your calls into video calls.
Time is an important factor for a business, it helps in attaining our goals timely. When employees
connect with each other they are working for saving the time in organisation, so that the
organisational goal can easily and efficiently get achieve. They also have feature of virtual
background and has strong administrative dashboard which is helpful to analyse issues that may
occurs during meetings and also gives better understanding that how users are holding meetings. No
technical advice is required in order to use these tools, it is very easy to operate. It allows users to
connect virtually through video conferencing, audio conferencing, webinars, meeting recordings,
live chats. So, using collaboration tools is important for smooth working of the organisation.
Cloud storage is a service which allows you to save and backup your data on internet, now you do
not need to purchase any server, external hard drives, or memory sticks to carry your data from one
place to another. The three basic use of cloud storage is to store all types of information and can
access on it through computer or mobile phone with an internet connection. You can also share files
with many people at the same time and if your computer ever is lost, stolen or get damaged you can
get it back as cloud storage is also allows you to back up your data. Aleksandar Kochovaski, 2022
states that cloud storage makes sharing of files easy and keep them encrypted. Files remain stored in
cloud storage for life time and can backup up your data, if you lose it (The Risks and Benefits of
Cloud Storage in 2022, 2022). But you can store data in it to certain limit, after that payment is

required for the storage and you may also face issues related to security and privacy with some
providers. It has feature of sync, to use it you need to download a cloud app called client sync and
log in. If the app is installed on multiple devices, the files will sync immediately across all device,
which means you don't have to download or upload files manually and you can also easily share
files by finding files in your cloud account and share it. But there are some disadvantages of using
cloud storage, they are dependent on internet connections and also have extra costs for uploading
and downloading files. Cloud storage does not have best support, mostly when you are using a free
version of cloud provide, they provide knowledge base. Your data is also not on your physical
storage while using cloud provider.
In accordance with Steve Ranger, 2022, cloud computing is related to the delivery of
computing services which includes servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and
intelligence on the internet (What is cloud computing? Everything you need to know about the cloud
explained, 2022). It can be of two type public and and private. It is famous option for the people
who are engaged in a business due to several reasons like for cost saving increasing productivity,
speed, efficiency, performance and safety. Firms can avoid its upfront costs and lengthy
procurements by using cloud computing as it only have to pay for resources they will consume and
also the maintenance of their own IT structure is not necessary, it just have to pay for what they are
using and when they are using. It helps in ensuring business continuity, speed digital
transformation, improve defence attitude, decrease expenses related to IT. It also reduces the costs
of purchasing hardware and software and setting up and they provide self service and o demand
large amount of resources can be provisioned in a minute. It provides you the benefit of ability to
scale elasticity which means delivering right amount of IT sources for example more or less
computing power, storage, bandwidth when it is needed and from the right geographic location.
Some providers offer a wide set of policies, technologies and control which helps in saving your
data. Cloud computing is used in day to day online activities like sending mails, editing documents,
watching movies and televisions, listening to music, playing games or saving photos and other
important files. It is likely that cloud computing is making it all possible behind the scenes. It is
suitable for development of application and testing, desktop clouds and productivity are better off
with the clouds. The applications of cloud computing are art, business, data storage and back up,
education, entertainment, management, social (Vartholomatou, Pendaraki and Tsagkanos, 2021).
The control over the personal information is known as privacy and to secure that
information is known as security. But there is a risk related to privacy as hacking is increasing
nowadays, some business have little technological defences, they are less aware about the threats
and also have less time and sources to incur in cyber safety. The difference between data privacy
and data security comes down to who and what your data is being protected from, security can be
defined as protecting data from malicious threat, while privacy is more about using data
responsibility. This make them easier target for hackers in comparison to the big business. Joel
Witts, 2022 has discussed regarding the cyber security threat, he mentioned that some major
challenges like phishing attacks, it is related to the attempts made by the hackers to steal the
customer's money or their identity by getting them to bring out their personal information as lot of
personal information is stored online and in company's database (Privacy vs. Security: What’s the
Difference?, 2022). There are various things by the privacy and security of a business get affected
and hackers can easily get accessed to it like malware attack, ransomware, weak password, insider
threat which allows hackers to attack the privacy of the customers. For a business it is important to
maintain the safety and keep privacy of their customer as it ensures the firms goodwill in the eyes of
the customers. If organisation does not values their customer's privacy then there will be risk of
losing the valuable relationship between two. Organisation which offers customer's privacy as their
utmost priority improves their brand value. Company needs maintain the privacy of their customer's
personal information for supporting personal ethics and loyalty. There are requirements that state
organizations that fail to comply with laws and regulations regarding data privacy may face

monetary fines and violation of these laws can result in punishment.
Analysis and Discussion
Collaboration tools
Skype- Skype launched in 2003 and it is the software which enables the world's
conversation with millions of people and businesses and they are using this app for connecting
with new people. They provide variety of services to their users like 'personal needs and offers
premium plan with additional features and also improve the feature which is based on business
solution. This is a free app – based communication tool and it has the internet telephony services
provider which offer free services (Noonan, 2012).
Features of Skype
Skype translate- This features help to doing conversation with different people in different
language to communicate each other.
Screen sharing- It means Share the desktop screen to other device to share the information which
helps in productivity and training.
End- to-end encryption- Chat and meet with other people without worrying about unwanted
disturbance in call .
In pandemic thousands of peoples are isolated they want ' to keep in touch' with people ' so
they have to turn in social networking sites such as Facebook , Instagram, Skype, Zoom etc. This
collaboration tools help the people to interact with others and also company take advantage of these
situation for example Microsoft teams also grab this opportunity and try to attract the millions of
new users for hoping to keep connected with colleagues, friends and family while working from
home the company demand also increase in pandemic 40 million people are using Skype app the
company said it's seen a 220% increasing in Skype- to- Skype calls (Nami, Marandi and
Sotoudehnama, 2018).
Zoom – It is a cloud- based video conferencing services which can use to virtually meet
with others by doing video calls and they conducting live chats and recording features also to
view later. 500 companies reportedly used Zoom in 2019 and during 2020 it hit and increase
greater height the racking up 227 per cent growth over the year.
Features of Zoom
One-on-one meetings- In this feature people can host the unlimited meetings which are free of
cost which makes zoom an economical option for business communication.
Recording- This feature is very helpful for students and teachers in pandemic because they can
record their secessions or events in advance .
Screen sharing – If we meet the large groups and share any information to all user' so we have a
option to share the screen with them so they can see.
Group video conformances- This feature help the user to host the and add the multiple
participant in one video conferencing up to 40 minutes and 100 participant in free of cost.
In pandemic in COVID-19 situation forced many small business far away to their work '
Zoom and other web conferencing are providing an opportunity for small business to explore new
ways of operation and growing. The pandemic improve the way of small business in positive ways.

Zoom and other technologies try to provide ways to small business to stay connected to their clients
and co- workers during the pandemic.
Privacy and security during pandemics
The biggest cyber security threats that small business and companies face in pandemics.
They need to be aware of the threats and try to protect themselves against them.
Phishing Attacks- This the biggest and most damaging threat which facing by small businesses .
This is a type of social engineering attack which used to steal user data, personal details and credit
card numbers. “The most common phishing attack is fake emails”' this phishing mails might ask
the user to open an attachment or call a fake customer care number, and these mails include a sense
of urgency after this they steal your personal data (Amin, 2012).
Malware Attacks- This is the second biggest threat facing by businesses and company and they
have variety of cyber threats are trojans and viruses. This is a term of code that the hacker create to
gain access to networks, destroy data on phone or computer and steal data. It usually comes from
malicious website downland or spam emails which connected to other devices. This attacks are
particularly damaging for small business the reason is lack of device protection, lack of knowledge.
Weak passwords- Many small business are using week password in multiple cloud and which is
based on services which require different accounts. These services contain personal data and
financial information. ,this cause help the hacker to know the password and stole the personal
data.
The measures that businesses must use to protect or prevent their business from cyber crime
are listed below.
Create Secure networks- The firm has to create a system security plan which helps to keep their
data secure.
Update password – The firms must ensure that their passwords are updated at all times and are
complex enough to not let hackers enter their system easily. Having strong passwords which are
enforced through multiple encryptions are necessary for the purpose of having a secure digital and
information system.
Educate employees- The company need to focus of their employees and educate them to learn
cyber- security and provide proper training to protect the company against the cyber crime.
Identify the risk – Firstly the company need to identify the risk then create the list and understand
the problem then try to solve them and ensure that technology of the company is latest versions of
application, web browser and operating system . This help to give more protection and privacy to
the company (Herrera-Joancomartí and Pérez-Solà, 2016).
Private VS Public internet
Private internet- This network is based on that network that uses in private address space of IP
addresses . These address are commonly used for office, small business, enterprise. This network is
used within a private network to connect securely to other device with the same network and each
device with the same network has a unique private IP address.
Benefits of private network- There are the factors of private network are listed blow.

Security- The internet have a full of great content , but it also contains fair and nasty applications
and user wants to protect their data. The private network is that not being connected to external
networks they help to protect their data safe and secure because this is based on IP address they
provide proper security and privacy to their users (Wagner, 2013).
Self- containment- This network are not being connected to external networks ' so they are not
facing any technical difficulties if they face any problem in the network with internally spread
viruses ' they can easily addressed the virus by serving the network and protect them.
Challenges of private network- There are the factors of private network are listed blow:
 Isolation- while the isolation the private network is increased security and it face difficulty
to go
 Heigh Maintenance costs, coverage limitations and low customization.
Public network – It implies that every one has the access to use this network it is a global system
of interconnected computer networks that helps to interchange the data for example – internet it is a
large scale public network which include thousands of devices and websites.
Benefits of public internet- There are the factors of Public network are listed blow
Convenience- This network allow to connect multiple users through the same network and its easy
to use and convenient for the users.
Mobility- It helps to carry out the work from any where and easily connect with the mobile
devises'
Challenges of public network – Factors of Public network are listed blow
Security – Due to this network it has heigh chances of being hacked easily and leak personal data.
Speed- This connection is more slower than wired connection because it allow to connect multiple
devise in the same network (Gattiker, Perlusz and Bohmann, 2000).
Conclusion
The above report went to detail regarding the meaning and significance of ICT business and
its roles which is based on during pandemics in details. It includes various information about
collaborations tools, uses and their advantages and disadvantages. There was discussion held on key
topics such as Cloud storage, Cloud Computing, Privacy and security in pandemics and difference
between private and public internet and their benefits and challenges. It has been concluded from
this report that addressing privacy and security issues is important for any company to survive.
References
Book and journals

Amin, S.M., 2012, July. Smart grid security, privacy, and resilient architectures: Opportunities and
challenges. In 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (pp. 1-2). IEEE.
Gattiker, U.E., Perlusz, S. and Bohmann, K., 2000. Using the Internet for B2B activities: a review
and future directions for research. Internet Research.
Herrera-Joancomartí, J. and Pérez-Solà, C., 2016, September. Privacy in bitcoin transactions: new
challenges from blockchain scalability solutions. In International Conference on Modeling
Decisions for Artificial Intelligence (pp. 26-44). Springer, Cham.
Magerakis, E. and Habib, A., 2021. Business strategy and environmental inefficiency. Journal of
Cleaner Production, 302, p.127014.
Nami, F., Marandi, S.S. and Sotoudehnama, E., 2018. Interaction in a discussion list: An exploration
of cognitive, social, and teaching presence in teachers’ online
collaborations. ReCALL, 30(3), pp.375-398.
Noonan, M., 2012. Managing manipulation: tools and challenges in creative collaborations with
intellectually-disabled people. Disability & Society, 27(7), pp.997-1009.
Vartholomatou, K., Pendaraki, K. and Tsagkanos, A., 2021. Corporate bonds, exchange rates and
business strategy. International Journal of Banking, Accounting and Finance, 12(2), pp.97-
117.
Wagner, B., 2013. Governing internet expression: How public and private regulation shape
expression governance. Journal of Information Technology & Politics, 10(4), pp.389-403.
Online referencing
What is cloud computing? Everything you need to know about the cloud explained, 2022
[online] available through < https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-cloud-computing-everything-
you-need-to-know-about-the-cloud/>
The Risks and Benefits of Cloud Storage in 2022, 2022 [online] available through
<https://www.cloudwards.net/the-risks-and-benefits-of-cloud-storage/>
10 Benefits of Zoom for Small Businesses, According to This CTO, 2022 [online] available through
< https://blog.zoom.us/10-benefits-of-zoom-for-small-businesses-according-to-this-cto/>
Privacy vs. Security: What’s the Difference?, 2022 [online] available through <
https://www.howtogeek.com/765272/privacy-vs-security-whats-the-difference/#:~:text=Privacy
%20refers%20to%20the%20control,protected%20your%20personal%20information%20is.>