Integrated Professional Skills in Digital Age

This report discusses the importance of collaboration tools, advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing, privacy and security challenges in cyber security and the importance of crypto currency for businesses in the digital age. It identifies two collaboration tools, Slack and Zoom, and how they have helped businesses to survive the current pandemic. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing and its suitable applications in improving digitalisation. Furthermore, it highlights the privacy and security challenges in cyber security and possible measures that can be taken. Lastly, it discusses the importance of crypto currency for businesses.

Integrated Professional
Skills in Digital Age
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAINBODY....................................................................................................................................4
1

Collaboration in workplace has significantly gained importance in recent times, especially
during pandemic. Identify any TWO collaboration tools and discuss how they have helped
businesses to survive the current pandemic reducing the physical contact among the
participants..................................................................................................................................4
Cloud computing, cloud storage and e-commerce are becoming the new normal even in
industries that, before the pandemic, seemed decades away from digitalisation. Discuss
advantages, disadvantages, suitability, and applications of cloud storage and computing in
improving digitalisation..............................................................................................................5
As the global pandemic upended work and home routines, cyber attackers pounced. The year
2020 holds valuable lessons for cyber security as many workers enter hybrid arrangements,
with home office becoming at least a partial fixture. No matter, what post-pandemic world
looks like, protecting people – wherever and however they work – will be an ongoing
challenge. Identify privacy and security challenges and discuss what possible measures could
be taken. .....................................................................................................................................8
Discuss the importance of crypto currency for businesses. What is your opinion on adopting
crypto currency such as Bit coin for businesses?......................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
2

INTRODUCTION
The concept of information and communication technology refers to the wider aspect of
information technology that included overall communication technologies along with internet,
wireless networking, video-conferencing and other media applications. These application enable
a user to access as well as store and transmit information in a digital form. The utilization of
information and communication helps in enhancing the overall computer networking at a global
level. In addition to this, it helps in accelerating economic development (Information and
communication technologies). The following report will highlight collaborative tool that help
business to survive the current pandemic and reduce the physical contact among individuals. In
addition to this, it will discuss the concept of cloud computing and its advantage as well as
disadvantage in improving digitalisation. Moreover the report will focus on discussing cyber
attacks and how individuals have face privacy and security challenges. Furthermore, it will
highlight the importance of crypto currency for business as well.
MAINBODY
Collaboration in workplace has significantly gained importance in recent times, especially during
pandemic. Identify any TWO collaboration tools and discuss how they have helped
businesses to survive the current pandemic reducing the physical contact among the
participants.
The situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the overall
performance of business around the world. This has made it crucial for organization to adopt
methods as well as techniques that will allow in developing effective communication channels in
order to enable them in conducting business activities. The restriction caused by the pandemic
has force the business to shift their operations online with employees working form home in
order to reduce the spread of the virus and abide by the set restrictions (Levius, Safa and Weeks.,
2018). This has made it vital for various business to utilize collaboration tools in order to gain
assistance and ensure that business operations stay highly productive as well as performance in
an optimal manner. In addition to this, the collaboration tools also provide assistance in reducing
the physical contact among employees (Collaboration Tools). Given below are two collaboration
tools and how they help business to survive the current pandemic situation:
Slack:
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This collaboration tool is effective in developing enhanced communication channels over
the internet and serves as a single place for messaging along with transferring files. It can be
refereed as a instant messaging systems with various feature that help in optimizing its ability to
help in communication over the internet. It allows the feature of group message as well as
personal message in order to maintain privacy. This tool has been effective for businesses as it
allows the management to communicate with their employees and provide vital guidance as well
as direction in order to maintain efficiency within business operation. Moreover, it reduces the
overall aspect of contact as employee are able to share file and documents trough the Internet
which further improves efficiency due to enhanced speed of transferring files. Apart form just
communicating about work the collaboration tool allows the employee to be in touch with each
other that helps in keeping the employee motived and develop a better team work. Through this
collaboration tool a business is able to ensure that it is connected with its employees and help
them provide essential support during the pandemic to keep their work functional as well as
productive. Furthermore, the collaboration tool has a simple interface which provides assistance
to individuals who have less technical knowledge. The tool maintains its efficiency relative to
the size of an organization which is helpful in providing assistance to both small and large scale
organizations (What is Slack and Why do People Love it).
Zoom meeting:
The Zoom meeting collaboration tool is a cloud-based video conference service that
allows individuals and organizations to hold virtual meeting with others. It tool has the capability
to establish both video or audio-only or both communication channels while conducting live
chats and it enables the user to record those sessions as well. The collaboration tool has been a
vital aspect in the COVID-19 pandemic as it has helped business organization to hold meetings
with their employees and provide them with essential information as well as direction to
maintain their performance and productivity relative to business task. The collaboration tool
allows a business to hold both one-on-one meetings as well as group video conferences which
allows the management to ensure it is able to connect with each of its employee in an efficient
manner (Cardoso and et. al., 2020). Furthermore, it allows the ability to share screen while helps
in presentation. The tool also provides the feature of recording a meeting which is useful for
employee and the management to reflect upon what was said and discussed in the meeting. This
tool has allows business to maintain a sense of communication with its employees along with the
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ability to conduct activities through digital platform in order to keep employee motived to work
and maintain their performance. Although the collaboration tool various packages that a business
will be required to purchase in order to utilize all the features which can be a negative aspect as
small business might not prefer to use the tool (What is Zoom and How doe it work).
Cloud computing, cloud storage and e-commerce are becoming the new normal even in
industries that, before the pandemic, seemed decades away from digitalisation. Discuss
advantages, disadvantages, suitability, and applications of cloud storage and computing in
improving digitalisation.
The concept of cloud computing allow a business to gain a way through which it can
manage its computing resource online. The concept has evolved over years and can be described
as a third party for a business relative to its storage and computing needs. The 'Cloud' refers to
the internet and the operations 'in the could' describes the way through which the information is
stored and accesses via internet connections. Moreover, cloud computing allows a business to
gain access to information through virtual means which helps in establishing flexibility and
develops a global path to access data at any time. Given below are advantage and disadvantage
of cloud computing along with its suitable application in improving digitalisation.
Advantages:
Back-up and restore data:
The concept of cloud computing allows an organization to back-up and store its data in a
safe manner along with the ability of retrieving deleted data. This helps a business to keep its
data secure and ensure that all the information stored in kept in a structured and systematic
manner.
Improves collaboration:
Trough cloud computing an organization is able to enhance its collaboration operation as
various individuals are able to access the overall data stored. This allows a business to ensure
that it is able to transfer and receive vital data in an efficient manner which improves its
productivity (Sarachuk and Magdalena., 2020).
Low maintenance cost:
Cloud computing relatively requires low level of maintenance which helps a business to
reduce its cost of operations. This helps a business to ensure it is able to run its organizational
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operations in a cost efficient manner without compromising on its performance as well as
productivity.
Ultimate storage capacity:
The cloud computing allow the advantage to a business by making large amount of
storage accessible to the organization. This helps a business to ensure that it is able to store its
data in a structured and secure manner without then concern of running out of space for storage.
Disadvantages:
Internet connectivity:
The aspect of internet connection is a major disadvantage of cloud computing as it
requires access to interned in order to fulfil it intended purpose. An organization can face
challenges if it does not have effective connection to the internet as it will result in low level of
productivity as well as performance in storing and transferring vital data (Advantages and
Disadvantage of cloud computing).
Vendor lock-in:
The aspect of vendor lock-in is a major disadvantage of cloud computing as various
organization can face issues while transferring their service from one vendor to the others. This
is due to other vendors using different platform that can cause issues in moving from one cloud
to another.
Security:
The concept of cloud based computing operates on the internet which makes it prone to
cyber attacks. This can be disadvantageous for organization that have sensitive data relative to
their operations or their customers. This aspect can lead to failure of business operations as well
as leak of sensitive information (Ahmad and Miskon., 2019).
Limited control:
The aspect of control is a disadvantage of cloud based computing as the overall control
lies in the hand of the service provide which can reduce the overall performance of the business
operations in transferring information and data. This makes it vital for a business to chose a
service provider that is aligned with their business goals.
Suitable application:
Business application:
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In the modern-era along with the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic it has become
crucial for each business to have some form of loud based computing in order to ensure it is able
to keep its data secure and stored in a well structured manner. It allows the business to attain
tools that are vital for sales, service along with marketing and e-commerce.
Management application:
The cloud based computing offers various cloud management tools to an organization
which helps the management to manage various activities such as resource development, data
integration along with disaster recover. This helps a management of the business to gain
administrative control over the platform and enhance its overall performance and productivity
(Cloud Computing applications).
As the global pandemic upended work and home routines, cyber attackers pounced. The year
2020 holds valuable lessons for cyber security as many workers enter hybrid arrangements,
with home office becoming at least a partial fixture. No matter, what post-pandemic world
looks like, protecting people – wherever and however they work – will be an ongoing
challenge. Identify privacy and security challenges and discuss what possible measures
could be taken.
The situation of COVID-19 pandemic has cause various organization to setup their
business operations online along with their employee working from home and utilizing digital
technology in order to work. This makes both the organization and its employee vulnerable to
cyber attacks by hacker who can steal or harm data which would result in personal and
professional damage to an individual or an organization. This marks its vital to understand the
concept of cyber security and how it functions in order to protect important data which can be
used in a malicious manner. Given bellow are various privacy and security challenges of Internet
relative to working employees and an organization along with what possible measures can be
established in order to negate the situation of a cyber attack (Pratt and Cakula., 2021).
Challenges of privacy and security:
Spying and snooping:
The aspect of being spied and snooped on the internet is a big treat for employees of an
organization as there are number of trackers for various purposes that keep record of search
history as well as track online activities through various means. It provide a hacker with a clawer
picture of who an individuals is and their interest. This can be harmful for an organization as
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sensitive information of their employee can be leaked by hacker which will have a negative
impact on both personal and professional life on an employee.
Information Mishandling:
The employee when accessing the cloud based service of the organization can
unintentionally provide personal information to get access to service. The websites store cookies
and save personal information that can later be used for various purposes. This mishandling of
personal information if employees can lead to major consequences relative to banking and
finances. This can negative impact the performance and productivity of the employees if they
feel unsafe functioning on the interned while performance organization tasks.
Location tracking:
The internet and digital aspect provides the challenge to both the employees and the
organization through location tracking which can disclose the location of institution as well as its
employees. This is a major challenge relative to privacy and is extremely vital for an
organization that have sensitive data relative to its employee or customers along with itself.
Effective measures to overcome challenges:
Utilizing VPN:
There are various methods to negate the challenges of privacy and security in the online
world of the internet, but the most successful and effective way is through a VPN as to provide
the ability to an individual or an organization to encrypt its online activities which involves
encoding all the information and transferring it in between the client and host site. This leaves no
change of snooping as well as spying. In addition to this, it also provides the ability to hide
geographical location.
Keep systems up-to-date:
It is vital for an organization to keep its systems to up-to-date in order to ensure that any
laps in security as well as security bugs are fixed in an effective manner. There are various online
tools that can provide assistance in identifying threats in the overall system of a business and
provides optimal solution that will enhance the security as well as performance of the business
systems. This will allow a business to ensure it is safe from hackers as well as trackers that can
steal sensitive information. In addition to this, the upkeep of systems allow a business to keep
improving its security systems that ensure reduction in the chances of any form of breach relative
to security in the future (Link, Kowal and Qureshi., 2020).
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Use Anti-virus:
In order to avoid the challenges related to privacy and security of an organization and its
employees over the internet it is crucial for a business to use a strong Anti-virus programs that
will keep the devices as well as cloud service free form malware along with spyware, viruses
along with trojans. In addition to this, an effective anti-virus will allow a business to keep its
systems up-to-date and provide instant notification if any form of disturbance is identified in the
systems of the business (Major internet Privacy Issues and How to Avoid Them).
Discuss the importance of crypto currency for businesses. What is your opinion on adopting
crypto currency such as Bit coin for businesses?
There are certain benefits of having crypto currency for business and it is defined into following
manner:
In this digital world, crypto currency such as bit coin is in trend in this world of business
so its necessary that businesses have to think about using crypto currency in this world of
busineess. There are various kinds of businesses who are using crypto currency in the form of
investment, operational and transactional purposes as well. There are some dangers attached with
it but also there are some strong incentives as well(Bação and et.al., 2018).The use of crypto
currency within the business can give access to new demographic groups and also support in
terms of spurring internal awareness in the company for this new technology. The use of crypto
currency can also enable the access to new capital and liquidity pools through traditional
investments which have been tokenised and to new asset classes as well. Within the business,
crypto currency also furnishes certain options that are simply not available with fiat currency.
With support of using crypto, there are many companies who can find important vendors
and clients as well. Crypto currency also act as effective alternative or balancing asset to cash ,
that may depreciate over time due to inflation. It is a currency which provides an avenue for
enhancing the host of more traditional treasury activities such as enabling real time, simple and
secure transfers of money. It also help in terms of strengthening control over the capital of the
enterprise and also manages the opportunities and risks of engaging in digital investments.
In my opinion adopting crypto currency for business such as bit coin can act as beneficial
parameter but it somewhere act as threat for the business. As it is a digital currency so it is not
legalised in every country and also there are very few countries where government has allowed
for doing business into crypto currency (Caliskan., 2020).There are various kinds of online
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frauds due to which business can come into the category of shortfall and they have to face loss
on a very large scale. It has been observed that there are always fluctuation in the value of bit
coin so somewhere businesses can face negative scenario also from the perspective of financial
parameter. Doing transactions into crypto currency at international level act as strong point and
can give advantage in terms of growth and development of business. In the overall manner, in
my opinion the businesses who have decided to use crypto currency into professional manner
then they have to keep track on the market so that they can do transactions in the favourable
situations of the market at international level. So its important that after doing proper research
and analysis businesses have to adopt for crypto currency like bitcoin in this competitive world.
CONCLUSION
From the above reports it has been concluded that, the internet communication
technology has played a vital role for businesses during the situation of COVID-19 pandemic. It
has provide essential support by establishing proper communication within the organization
through various collaboration tools such as Slack and Zoom. In addition to this, the report was
able to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of cloud based computing and how it plays an
important role through its suitable application within a business. Moreover, the report helped in
identifying the various challenges that are associated with the internet relative to cyber security
and methods through which its negative impact can be avoided. At last the report helped in
understand the concept of cryptocurrency and how adopting crypto currency such as bitcoin will
impact businesses.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals:
Ahmad, S. and Miskon, S., 2019, September. The adoption of business intelligence systems in
textile and apparel industry: Case studies. In International Conference of Reliable
Information and Communication Technology (pp. 12-23). Springer, Cham.
Bação and et.al., 2018. Information transmission between cryptocurrencies: does bitcoin rule the
cryptocurrency world?. Scientific Annals of Economics and Business, 65(2), pp.97-117.
Caliskan, K., 2020. Data money: The socio-technical infrastructure of cryptocurrency
blockchains. Economy and Society, 49(4), pp.540-561.
Cardoso and et. al., 2020. Data extraction and exploration tools for business intelligence.
In Fourth International Congress on Information and Communication Technology (pp.
489-497). Springer, Singapore.
Levius, S., Safa, M. and Weeks, K., 2018. Information and communication technology strategies
to improve international competitiveness in the wholesale and retail trade
sector. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 20(1). pp.128-138.
Link, G. J., Kowal, J. and Qureshi, S., 2020. Open source in development: Enabling business and
services. Information Systems Management, 37(1). pp.52-74.
Pratt, M. and Cakula, S., 2021. Motivation in a business company using technology-based
communication. Artificial Intelligence in Industry 4.0: A Collection of Innovative
Research Case-studies that are Reworking the Way We Look at Industry 4.0 Thanks to
Artificial Intelligence, pp.15-30.
Sarachuk, K. and Magdalena, M. B., 2020, January. Ict, economic effects and business patterns:
A text-mining of existing literature. In Proceedings of the 2020 the 3rd International
Conference on Computers in Management and Business (pp. 40-45).
Online:
Information and communication technologies.,.[Online]Available
through<http://aims.fao.org/information-and-communication-technologies-ict>
Collaboration Tools.,2021.[Online]Available
through<https://resources.workable.com/tutorial/collaboration-tools>
What is Slack and Why do People Love it.,2019.[Online]Available
through<https://www.howtogeek.com/428046/what-is-slack-and-why-do-people-love-it/>
What is Zoom and How doe it work.,2021.[Online]Available through<https://www.pocket-
lint.com/apps/news/151426-what-is-zoom-and-how-does-it-work-plus-tips-and-tricks>
Advantages and Disadvantage of cloud computing.,.[Online]Available
through<https://www.javatpoint.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-cloud-computing>
Cloud Computing applications.,.[Online]Available through<https://www.javatpoint.com/cloud-
computing-applications>
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Major internet Privacy Issues and How to Avoid Them.,2019.[Online]Available
through<https://securitytoday.com/Articles/2019/09/03/3-Major-Internet-Privacy-Issues-and-
How-to-Avoid-Them.aspx?Page=3>
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