MIS Exam Study Guide

Chapter 5 — Data & Knowledge Management

Data Governance

Definition:
Data governance is the process of managing the availability, usability, integrity, and security of data in an organization.

Purpose:
Data governance ensures that data across the organization is:

• Accurate

• Consistent

• Secure

• Accessible to appropriate users

Problems Data Governance Solves:

• Data scattered across departments:

  • Central policies standardize storage and management.

• Multiple data sources:

  • Integrates and synchronizes data.

• Conflicting or duplicate data:

  • Establishes a single source of truth.

Important Strategy: Master Data Management (MDM)

Definition:
Master Data Management ensures a single consistent version of core organizational data.
Example:
A company ensures the same customer record exists across:

• CRM systems

• Sales databases

• Customer service systems

Data Hierarchy

Definition:
The data hierarchy describes how data is organized from the smallest unit to the largest.

Levels of Data Hierarchy:

• Bit:

  • Smallest unit of data, e.g., 0 or 1

• Byte:

  • Group of 8 bits, e.g., Letter "A"

• Field:

  • Single piece of information, e.g., Last Name

• Record:

  • Collection of related fields, e.g., Student record

• File:

  • Collection of records, e.g., Student database

• Database:

  • Collection of related files, e.g., University information system

Traditional File Systems vs Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Comparison Chart:

Relational Databases

Definition:
A relational database stores data in tables composed of rows and columns. Each table represents an entity (object or concept).

Components of Relational Databases:

• Table:

  • Collection of related data

• Row (record):

  • Individual data entry

• Column (field):

  • Specific attribute

Advantages:

• Easy data comparison

• Structured format

• Efficient querying with SQL

Disadvantages:

• Can become complex with many tables

• Large databases may have slow queries

Primary Key vs Foreign Key

Example Tables:
Students Table:

Enrollment Table:

Entity-Relationship Modeling (ER Modeling)

Definition:
ER modeling is the process of designing a database using entity-relationship diagrams (ERD).

Components of ER Modeling:

• Entity:

  • Object being stored

• Attribute:

  • Characteristics of the entity

• Relationship:

  • Connection between entities
    Example:
    Customer → places → Order

Normalization

Definition:
Normalization is the process of organizing data to minimize redundancy and improve data integrity.

Goals of Normalization:

• Reduce duplicate data

• Improve data accuracy

• Increase database efficiency
  Key Principle:
  Attributes in a table should depend only on the primary key.

SQL Query Basics

Definition:
SQL (Structured Query Language) retrieves data from relational databases.
Basic Syntax:

SELECT column FROM table WHERE condition;

Example:

SELECT Name FROM Students WHERE StudentID = 1001;

Database Joins

Definition:
A join combines records from multiple tables based on related columns.
Example:
Join on StudentID between Students table and Enrollment table.

Big Data

Definition:
Big Data refers to extremely large datasets that require advanced processing techniques.

The Three V's

• Social media posts

• IoT devices

• Transaction logs

Data Warehouse vs Data Mart

Comparison Chart:

• Data Warehouse → Entire company sales data

• Data Mart → Marketing department data

Data Lakes and Lakehouses

Data Lake:
Storage system for raw structured and unstructured data.
Examples:

• Videos

• Sensor data

• Logs
  Data Lakehouse:
  Hybrid system combining:

• Data lake flexibility

• Data warehouse structure
  Benefits:

• Analytics

• Machine learning

• Large-scale storage

Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

Definition:
Systems that capture, store, and distribute organizational knowledge. Knowledge is also called intellectual capital.

What Constitutes Knowledge?

Definition:
Knowledge is information combined with experience, context, and insight.
Example:

• Information: Sales data

• Knowledge: Knowing why sales increased

Tacit vs Explicit Knowledge

Crowdsourcing

Definition:
Crowdsourcing involves collecting ideas, services, or information from large groups of people online.
Examples:

• Wikipedia

• Open-source software

• Customer idea platforms

Benefits:

• Large pool of expertise

• Faster innovation

Chapter 6 — Telecommunications & Networking

What Is a Computer Network?

Definition:
A computer network is a system that connects multiple devices so they can share data and resources.

Examples of Shared Resources:

• Files

• Printers

• Internet connection

LAN vs WAN

Comparison Chart:

Enterprise Network

Definition:
An enterprise network connects multiple LANs within an organization using a backbone WAN.

Purpose of Enterprise Network:

• Connect branch offices

• Share corporate resources

• Enable enterprise applications

Software Defined Networks (SDN)

Definition:
SDN centralizes network control using software. Instead of each device controlling traffic independently, a central controller manages data flow.

Benefits of SDN:

• Easier network management

• Faster configuration

• Improved security

TCP/IP Basic Functions

Definition:
TCP/IP is the protocol suite that powers the Internet.
Functions:

• Data transmission

• Packet routing

• Error detection

• Connection management

Four Layers of the TCP/IP Model

Which Layer Uses HTTP?

Definition:
HTTP operates in the Application Layer.
Message:
HTTP = Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
Used to transfer web pages between browsers and servers.

TCP Three-Way Handshake (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK)

Process:
This process establishes a connection between client and server.

1. Step 1: SYN

   • Client sends SYN packet requesting a connection.

2. Step 2: SYN-ACK

   • Server replies with SYN-ACK acknowledging the request.

3. Step 3: ACK

   • Client sends ACK confirming connection.

   • Connection is now established.

Internet vs Intranet vs Extranet

WWW vs Internet

• Internet = Roads

• WWW = Cars driving on the roads

Surface Web, Deep Web, Dark Web

• Surface → News sites

• Deep → University databases

• Dark → Tor marketplaces

Chapter 7 & 8 — E-Commerce, Mobile Commerce & IoT

Definition of E-Commerce

Definition:
E-Commerce is the buying, selling, transferring, or exchanging of products, services, or information via computer networks.

E-Commerce Revenue Models

Forward vs Reverse Auction

FinTech

Definition:
Financial Technology (FinTech) companies use technology to deliver financial services.
Examples:

• Mobile banking

• Online trading

• Payment apps
  Implication:
  FinTech companies can act as marketplace intermediaries connecting buyers and sellers.
  Examples:

• PayPal

• Robinhood

• Stripe

Payment Gateways

Definition:
A payment gateway securely processes online payments.

Functions:

• Encrypts payment data

• Authorizes transactions

• Communicates with banks
  Example:
  Stripe processes a credit card payment during checkout.

Blockchain

Definition:
A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers.

Characteristics:

• Decentralized

• Tamper-resistant

• Transparent
  Example:
  Cryptocurrency transactions.

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Definition:
A short-range wireless communication technology allowing devices to exchange data when close together (a few centimeters).

Uses:

• Contactless payments

• Mobile wallets

• Transit passes

Core Technology Behind Mobile Wallets

Definition:
Mobile wallets primarily use NFC (Near Field Communication).
Examples:

• Apple Pay

• Google Pay

Bluetooth (Personal Area Network)

Definition:
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used in Personal Area Networks (PANs).
Range:
Approximately 10–100 feet.
Examples:

• Wireless headphones

• Smartwatches

• Keyboard connections

Mobile Computing — Five Major Attributes

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Definition:
RFID uses radio waves to identify and track objects with embedded tags.

Components of RFID:

• RFID tag

• RFID reader

• Database system
  Examples:

• Retail inventory tracking

• Warehouse logistics

• Toll road systems

Evil Twin Attack

Definition:
An Evil Twin Attack occurs when a hacker creates a fake Wi-Fi access point that looks legitimate.

Goal:
To trick users into connecting and steal passwords or data.
Example:
Fake "Starbucks Wi-Fi" network.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Definition:
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices connected to the Internet that can collect and exchange data automatically.
Devices have:

• Unique identifiers

• Sensors

• Network connectivity

IoT Scenario Example (School / Work):
Example Scenario:
A smart campus building uses IoT devices.
Sensors detect:

• Classroom occupancy

• Lighting levels

• Temperature
  System Automatically:

• Adjusts HVAC

• Turns off lights in empty rooms

• Tracks energy usage
  Benefits:

• Lower energy costs

• Better comfort

• Improved efficiency