CPA Foundation Level

Information Communication Technology flashcards

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Complete Flashcard Reference

Review every card in this deck. Open any card to reveal its answer. The first 10 are free; the other 39 come with the subject.

What is the difference between a bit and a byte, and how do storage units step up?

A bit is a single binary digit, 0 or 1. A byte is eight bits and is the unit used for storage. On product labels units step up by 1,000: kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes. Operating systems often report capacity in binary steps of 1,024, so an installed drive looks slightly smaller than its label. That is convention, not a fault.

What are the core functions of an operating system?

Process management: scheduling what runs and when. Memory management: allocating RAM among running programs. File management: organising data storage. Device management: coordinating hardware peripherals. Providing a user interface.

What is the difference between a relative and an absolute cell reference?

A relative reference (B4) adjusts when the formula is copied, which is what you want when a calculation repeats down a column. An absolute reference ($B$1) fixes the column and row, so it keeps pointing at the same cell, which is needed when every row must use one value such as a rate held in one cell.

How do you estimate how long a file takes to send over a network link?

1. Convert the file size to bits: megabytes x 8 = megabits. 2. Divide by the link speed in megabits per second. Example: 500 MB x 8 = 4,000 Mb, and 4,000 / 20 Mbps = 200 seconds. Allow for sharing: ten users on the same 20 Mbps link get about 2 Mbps each. Forgetting the factor of 8 makes the estimate eight times too fast.

How do IaaS, PaaS and SaaS differ?

IaaS: the provider supplies servers and storage; the customer manages everything above them. PaaS: the provider also manages the operating environment; the customer only builds and runs applications. SaaS: the provider delivers a complete application, used through a browser. The further along the scale, the less the customer must manage and the less control it keeps.

Which control matches each of the main data security threats?

Malware (viruses, worms, ransomware): antivirus software and safe usage practices. Unauthorised access and hacking: strong authentication, firewalls and access controls. Phishing and social engineering: user awareness training and verification procedures. Physical theft or damage: physical security, and encryption so a stolen device reveals nothing.

What does each level of the information systems pyramid do, from the base up?

TPS: records routine, day-to-day business transactions. MIS: summarises TPS data into regular reports for middle managers. DSS: provides analytical tools for semi-structured decisions. EIS: gives senior management a high-level, summarised view of performance. Each level depends on the one below, so poor transaction data undermines every report built on it.

What are the e-commerce models, with an example of each?

B2C, business to consumer: an online retail store. B2B, business to business: a wholesale supplier platform. C2C, consumer to consumer: an online marketplace between individuals, which takes a fee. C2B, consumer to business: a freelancer offering services to companies. Business to government: firms supplying public bodies, increasingly through electronic procurement.

Compare the four methods of changing over to a new system on risk and cost.

Direct: old system off, new one on. Highest risk (no fallback), lowest cost. Parallel: old and new run together until the new is proven. Lowest risk, highest cost (double the work). Pilot: one branch or department first. Moderate risk, as failure is contained; moderate cost. Phased: one module at a time. Moderate risk, as each part is proven before the next; moderate cost.

What are the main legal issues raised by information systems in Kenya?

Data protection: how personal data is collected, used and stored (Kenya's Data Protection Act). Intellectual property: protecting software and digital content from unauthorised copying. Cybercrime: unauthorised access, data theft and computer fraud (Kenya's Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act). Contract law as applied to electronic transactions.

What are the four categories of computer hardware, with examples?