IT Architecture For Dummies

A solid introduction to the practices, plans, and skills required for developing a smart system architecture

Information architecture combines IT skills with business skills in order to align the IT structure of an organization with the mission, goals, and objectives of its business. This friendly introduction to IT architecture walks you through the myriad issues and complex decisions that many organizations face when setting up IT systems to work in sync with business procedures.

Veteran IT professional and author Kirk Hausman explains the business value behind IT architecture and provides you with an action plan for implementing IT architecture procedures in an organization. You‘ll explore the many challenges that organizations face as they attempt to use technology to enhance their business‘s productivity so that you can gain a solid understanding of the elements that are required to plan and create an architecture that meets specific business goals.

• Defines IT architecture as a blend of IT skills and business skills that focuses on business optimization, business architecture, performance management, and organizational structure
• Uncovers and examines every topic within IT architecture including network, system, data, services, application, and more
• Addresses the challenges that organizations face when attempting to use information technology to enable profitability and business continuity

While companies look to technology more than ever to enhance productivity, you should look to IT Architecture For Dummies for guidance in this field.

From the back cover:

Get a handle on enterprise architecture and develop a strategy for success

An enterprise network is a complex creature. This book breaks it down into simpler bites. You‘ll understand the parts, what they mean to your company, how to make technology match your business goals, and how to create an enterprise culture. Then you‘ll get help with long–term planning, managing security, and getting the most from your technology.

• Know the game and the players — understand enterprise components, the management roles involved, and the impact of platform selection

• What IT can do — learn to align technology with organizational goals and explore regulatory compliance and risk management practices

• Who you are — examine the fundamental aspects of identity management and how to develop an enterprise culture

• Nuts and bolts — look at the elements of a distributed network, its resources, and how to establish long–term operational strategies

• Increase technology‘s value — through virtualization, high–performance computing, Green IT strategies, and other practices

• Keep your guard up — create effective disaster recovery solutions and develop a sound game plan against the ever–changing threats to interconnected systems

Open the book and find:

• Tasks, roles, and tools of IT architecture

• Risk and compliance issues for management

• Tips for reducing complexity

• Identity and access management strategies

• Effective communication methods

• How to plan for the mobile enterprise

• When green is profitable

• What to consider when planning technology updates

Learn to:

• Create an Enterprise IT strategy that meets business objectives

• Work with each layer of the technology stack

• Support organizational structure and processes

• Develop an action plan for implementation

About the Author:

Kalani Kirk Hausman is a specialist in enterprise architecture, security, information assurance, business continuity, and regulatory compliance.

Susan L. Cook is a Senior IT Policy and Security Programs Administrator and a former compliance auditor. Both are employed by Texas A&M University.