Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo

Agile methodology
framework used to guide project management, primarily by dividing projects into phases, or sprints
American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
global organization that provides training and certification to help professionals in IS and other technological industries provide security for people, property, and information
application control
control that is built into a system and includes features such as firewalls, encryption, and access control
application software
program that enables computers to perform specific tasks
business analysis
understanding what a business needs to avoid or solve a problem or to take advantage of an opportunity
competency
ability to apply specific skills, experience, and personal skills to do a job in an effective and efficient manner
competency model
framework that identifies the competencies required for employees to effectively perform their job
control
policy or procedure that ensures an information system functions effectively, efficiently, and securely
Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies (COBIT)
framework that develops and maintains an information system using five processes: Evaluate, Direct, and Monitor (EDM); Align, Plan, and Organize (APO); Build, Acquire, and Implement (BAI); Deliver, Service, and Support (DSS); and Monitor, Evaluate, and Assess (MEA)
data
raw facts and figures that are processed and turned into meaningful information
data capture
process of gathering data from various sources, such as customers and financial records, and inputting this data into an information system
data dissemination
process of distributing and sharing information, such as reports, videos, photographs, and other information system outputs
data processing
using calculations, manipulations, and analysis to transform data into useful information
data storage
process of maintaining the data and information of a system in a location that is secure, reliable, and accessible to authorized users
decision support system (DSS)
system that assists in decision-making by providing interactive tools and access to data analysis
digital media
content developed, stored, and distributed via mobile devices—such as news stories, blogs, videos, and online games—as well as the hardware—flash drives, DVDs, and digital computers—used to store and share this media
enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
type of information system used by everyone in an organization to integrate various business processes and functions across an organization such as human resource management and inventory control
enterprise system
software package an organization uses to automate and coordinate operations, solve the organization’s problems, and monitor organizational performance
environment
factors such as physical location and network capabilities that affect an information system and help determine how it operates
executive information system (EIS)
(also, strategic information system, or SIS) system that supports the strategic information needs of top executives
Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA)
sets guidelines and standards for security that organizations are required to meet to minimize the possibility that data will be stolen, lost, or misused
feedback
information that users provide to managers about an information system’s functionality
field of information systems (IS)
dynamic industry, evolving and depending on technological advancements, that intersects with business, computer science, and management, playing a critical role in enhancing organizational efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness
framework
structured set of guidelines and best practices that is used to guide the process of developing, implementing, managing, or maintaining a business process, policy, system, or procedure
general control
process that outlines how an information system is to be used and includes requirements such as routine password updates
global innovation
processes used to collaborate across international borders in designing and developing new goods and services for the global marketplace
globalization
process of businesses and other organizations interacting on a global scale
hardware
physical devices such as computers, servers, networks, and storage devices that are used to collect, process, and store data
industry standard
policy, procedure, or requirement widely used and supported in an industry to promote efficiency and quality in goods and services
information
raw data that have been processed and manipulated to give context and meaning
information system
set of interconnected components that integrate the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of data, information, and digital products
information technology
field that reviews how computers and other technology can be used to process, store, retrieve, and share information
Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
comprehensive framework of documentation that discusses best practices for managing information technology
input
data that are collected and entered into the system by users or automatically when transactions occur
IS2020
competency model that provides guidance and standards that undergraduate IS programs should meet to ensure students are prepared for careers in IS
ISO/IEC 27001
worldwide standard established by the International Organization for Standardization that defines the requirements information systems must satisfy to provide adequate security for any system
management information system (MIS)
system that provides middle managers with reports and summaries to support decision-making
McKinsey 7-S Framework
focuses on how an organization can be efficient and effective with interaction and coordination of its staff, structure, strategy, skills, systems, style, and shared values
operating system (OS)
functions as a computer’s manager by operating a computer’s memory and other hardware resources such as disk storage; provides the interface that users need to work with a computer and manages a computer’s application software programs
output
data or information that a system generates and provides to users
procedure
set of instructions and rules that governs the use of the hardware, software, and data components in information systems
processing
performance of tasks in order to make data useful in a system
qualitative data
nonnumerical information
quantitative data
numerical information
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
provides a comprehensive skills and competency framework in a common language for the IT industry
social media
any type of electronic communication tool that enables users to establish online communities where they share content, including personal messages, ideas, photographs, and videos
software
programs and applications that run on computer hardware, enabling users to perform specific tasks
The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)
standard that promotes best practices for information systems and other technology
transaction processing system (TPS)
system that handles day-to-day transactions such as order processing and payroll
Waterfall
structured, linear framework used to guide project management
Zachman Framework
provides a structure for developing and organizing the artifacts of enterprise architecture, including data and documents
Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/foundations-information-systems/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/foundations-information-systems/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Mar 11, 2025 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.