IS

Information Systems

In plain language

All the computers, software, networks and people a company uses to collect, store and share information.

The metaphor

Like the plumbing and wiring of a building: mostly out of sight, and everything depends on it.

Going deeper

How it works

Includes hardware, software, data, networks and the people who run them.
Covers the systems for sales, accounting, email and customer records.
Security work protects the whole set, not any one piece.
Companies often have an IS or IT department; small firms use an outside provider.

vCIO helps map what a company runs and what protects it.

In practice

An owner lists every system that holds customer data.
An insurer asks for an overview of all information systems.
A new hire's setup touches email, files, the phone system and the accounting tool.

Is this the same as IT?

Close. IT usually means the technology itself. IS includes the people, processes and data that use it.

Where WILDCARD handles this

✨

vCIO

Related terms

Used on

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