“Trifecta” refers to the first three winners in a race. With respect to Information Technology, the trifecta in IT are hardware, software, network.
What are these elements, and how does your IT team maintain them?
Three elements of Trifecta IT
Network
In the IT world, network describes two or more computers linked via telephone lines, cables, infrared beams, radio waves, or satellites. These computers are connected for the purpose of sharing files, electronic communications, or other resources such as printers.
Networks fall into two categories - local area networks (LAN) or wide area networks (WAN). A LAN refers to several computers or network devices connected and residing in the same building. A WAN, however, connects several LANs over a broad geographic area and may be a public or private network. A familiar example of a WAN is the Internet.
Your private LAN and your connection to the Internet support your information technology activities and enable your employees to communicate, collaborate, and access important company information. Your access to the Internet allows you to connect with your vendors, distributors, and clients. Hackers attempt to break into your network to disrupt activities, steal data, or plant malicious viruses designed to attack your system. Your IT team must be diligent, using the latest cybersecurity tools to thwart these mischievous threats.
Software
The software simply includes the instructions and data that direct the processing on your computers. These instructions - programs and applications - reside on your computers and other smart devices - phones and tablets. Operating system software works as the interface between other applications residing on these devices.
Most applications are written in a high-level programming language, a language with similar characteristics to human communication. This high-level language is translated into machine language, a lower-level form of instructions easily understood by the computer. The software applications, as well as the programming languages, evolve, keeping your IT team busy applying the latest program revisions.
With the rise in cyber-criminal activity, your anti-malware applications, software that detects and deflects malicious viruses, plays a critical role in your IT infrastructure. Your IT team protects and
manage your data security and privacy of precious software by keeping these security applications updated to identify the latest threats.
Hardware
The physical devices directed by the software fall into the category of hardware. Hardware includes all the servers, desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones on which your business relies. Hardware like software ages. Your IT team must keep abreast of the latest models to ensure your network is running efficiently as well as identify devices nearing the end of their useful lives.
Support
Maintaining hardware,
upgrading software, and keeping a hand on the pulse of cybersecurity threats requires a highly trained, skillful, and vigilant IT team. Consider enlisting the help of a managed service provider (MSP) like JMA Consulting whose licensed professionals can design, implement, and ensure your IT infrastructure - network, software, and hardware - run effectively, efficiently, and securely.
