IT Systems Implementation, Database Design, and Network Fundamentals

System Implementation Strategies

Methods for switching from an old system to a new one: parallel, direct cutover, pilot, phased.

Parallel Implementation

Old and new systems run at the same time; safest but most expensive.

Direct Cutover Implementation

Old system stops and new system starts immediately; fastest but riskiest.

Pilot Implementation

New system is rolled out to one department or location first.

Phased Implementation

New system is introduced in stages or modules.

Degrees of Organizational Change

Levels of business transformation: automation, rationalization, BPR, paradigm shift.

Automation

Using technology to speed up existing processes without changing them.

Rationalization

Streamlining processes to remove inefficiencies.

Business Process Reengineering

Radical redesign of business processes from scratch.

Paradigm Shift

Complete change in business model or strategy.

Entity

A thing you store data about in a database (e.g., Student, Course).

Attribute

A property or characteristic of an entity (e.g., Name, GPA).

Primary Key

A field that uniquely identifies a record in a table.

Foreign Key

A primary key from another table used to create relationships.

1:1 Relationship

One record in A matches one record in B; usually merged into one table.

1:N Relationship

One record in A relates to many in B; foreign key goes on the many side.

M:N Relationship

Many records in A relate to many in B; requires an intersection table.

Intersection Table

A table created to resolve an M:N relationship; contains foreign keys from both tables.

Normalization

Process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve integrity.

First Normal Form

Remove repeating groups; each field holds one value.

Second Normal Form

Remove fields dependent on only part of a composite key.

Third Normal Form

Remove fields dependent on other non-key fields.

Query

A question you ask a database to return specific records.

Select Query

Retrieves data that matches criteria.

Crosstab Query

Summarizes data in rows and columns.

Make Table Query

Creates a new table from query results.

Update Query

Changes data in existing records based on criteria.

Append Query

Adds records to an existing table.

Delete Query

Removes records that match criteria.

Wildcard *

Represents many characters or none in a query.

Wildcard ?

Represents a single character in a query.

Like Operator

Used for pattern matching in queries.

Between Operator

Used to specify a range of values.

Null

Indicates a missing value.

Not Null

Indicates a value is present.

IIF Function

Conditional expression: IIF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false).

Concatenation

Combining fields or text using the & operator.

Unmatched Query

Finds records in one table with no matching record in another.

Parameterized Query

Prompts the user for input each time the query runs.

Network Interface Card

Hardware that connects a computer to a network.

Hub

Sends data to all devices on a network; outdated.

Switch

Sends data only to the intended device; faster and more secure.

Router

Connects networks and routes data between them.

Twisted Pair Cable

Common Ethernet cable; inexpensive and flexible.

Coaxial Cable

Shielded cable used in cable TV and older networks.

Fiber Optic Cable

Uses light to transmit data; fastest and most secure.

LAN

Local Area Network; covers a small area like a building.

MAN

Metropolitan Area Network; covers a city.

WAN

Wide Area Network; covers large geographic areas.

IP Address

Numerical label assigned to devices on a network.

DNS

System that translates domain names into IP addresses.

Protocol

Rules for communication between devices (e.g., TCP/IP).

Ethics

Principles guiding behavior toward others.

Intellectual Property

Creative work protected by copyright or licensing.

Copyright

Legal protection for expressions of ideas.

Fair Use Doctrine

Allows limited use of copyrighted material for teaching or new work.

Pirated Software

Unauthorized use or distribution of software.

Counterfeit Software

Fake software sold as legitimate.

Data Breach

Unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Threat Actor

Person or group responsible for a cyberattack.

Phishing

Fraudulent attempt to obtain information by pretending to be a trusted source.

Spear Phishing

Targeted phishing attack aimed at a specific person.

Social Engineering

Manipulating people into revealing information or performing actions.

Password Best Practices

Use MFA, long passphrases, unique passwords, and password managers.

CIA Triad

Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability.

Confidentiality

Ensuring only authorized users access information.

Integrity

Ensuring information is accurate and unaltered.

Availability

Ensuring information is accessible when needed.

Virus

Malicious software that attaches to files and spreads when executed.

Worm

Self-spreading malware that moves across networks.

Trojan Horse

Malicious software hidden inside legitimate software.

Spyware

Software that secretly tracks user activity.

Keylogger

Records keystrokes and mouse clicks.

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts files and demands payment.

DDoS Attack

Flooding a system with traffic to crash or slow it.

Authentication

Verifying identity using passwords, MFA, or biometrics.

Authorization

Determining what a user is allowed to access.

Firewall

Hardware or software that filters network traffic.

Intrusion Detection System

Monitors network for suspicious activity.

Encryption

Scrambling data so only authorized users can read it.

Plaintext

Readable, unencrypted data.

Ciphertext

Encrypted, unreadable data.

Cipher

Method used to encrypt or decrypt data.

Key

Secret value used in encryption and decryption.

Public Key Encryption

Uses a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt.

Backup

Copy of data used to restore information after loss.

Full Backup

Copies all data.

Incremental Backup

Copies only data changed since the last backup.

Salesforce Object

Table that stores data in Salesforce.

List View

Filtered view of records; similar to a query.

Page Layout

Controls how fields appear on a record page.

Report

Summarizes and presents data.

Dashboard

Visual display of multiple reports.

Flow Builder

Salesforce automation tool for advanced logic.

SDLC

Systems Development Life Cycle; structured method for building systems.

Systems Analysis

Gathering and documenting business requirements.

Systems Design

Creating the technical blueprint for a system.

Programming

Writing code and building system components.

Testing

Ensuring the system works correctly.

Maintenance

Supporting and updating the system after implementation.