LITE Chapter 5

LITE Matters
AN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL IN MST 101D* [LIVING IN

THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ERA]
DEO STEPHANIE R. ANGELES

CHRISTIAN A. CARACTA
AGAPE A. EUSEBIO
ARCEL F. GALVEZ
AUBREY ROSE T. GAN
ROSALIE S. VILLAFUERTE
AUTHORS
SECOND EDITION
2021
LITE MATTERS 2021
CHAPTER FIVE DURATION

3 HOURS
TOPICS
1. Recent and Emerging Technologies
2. Grand Challenges of ICT
ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 1

LITE MATTERS 2021
LESSON 5.1
RECENT AND EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES
INTRODUCTION
In today's day and age, technology has been rising at a rate that the world has never
even seen before. New innovations are being made every day, ideas being patented, and
creations by brilliant minds that are being shown to the world, most of which used to only be
possible through the imagination. With technology being the skeleton of every system being
made nowadays, it is only right for inventors to look ahead and embrace this marvel, which is
technology. Along with this are the current trends that people will have to embrace in order to
fully utilize the ever-growing state of technology. Let us look at some examples of recent and
emerging technologies and see how they affect our way of living.
THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT)
“IoT is the future towards artificial Intelligence and complete automation of the physically
existing world.”
In Chapter 1, we use the term Internet of Things (IoT) to refer to devices – sensors
(devices that measure or sense their surroundings) and actuators (devices that change or
control their surroundings) that can be accessed and controlled over the Internet. Now we will
delve more on what really IoT is.
Figure 1 -- Illustration of a home using a centralized wireless router to connect a set of wireless IoT devices.
Figure 2 -- Illustration of a large home using a repeater plus a centralized wireless router to span a large
distance.

LITE MATTERS 2021
Figure 3 -- Illustration of a mesh network in which each IoT device agrees to forward packets between the wireless
router and other devices.
Short History
The term “Internet of Things” (IoT) was first used in 1999 by British technology pioneer
Kevin Ashton to describe a system in which objects in the physical world could be connected
to the Internet by sensors. Ashton coined the term to illustrate the power of connecting Radio-
Frequency Identification (RFID) tags used in corporate supply chains to the Internet in order
to count and track goods without the need for human intervention. Today, the Internet of
Things has become a popular term for describing scenarios in which Internet connectivity and
computing capability extend to a variety of objects, devices, sensors, and everyday items.
How does IoT work?
a. Artificial Intelligence – IoT essentially makes

virtually anything “smart”, meaning it enhances
every aspect of life with the power of data
collection, artificial intelligence algorithms, and
networks. This can mean something as simple as
enhancing your refrigerator and cabinets to
detect when milk and your favorite cereal run
low, and to then place an order with your
preferred grocery.

LITE MATTERS 2021
b. Sensors – Data is first collected from the environment

for the IoT system to begin processing. It is collected by
sensors in devices that can measure observable
occurrences or changes in the environment. The kind of
data being measured by the device depends on its
function: It can be a person’s pulse in the case of a
fitness tracker or the distance of the nearest object in
that of an autonomous vehicle.
c. Actuators – A device that controls a mechanical

or electrical mechanism is known as an actuator.
For example, when a fire occurs in a large
building, actuators are used to close a set of fire
doors to keep the fire from spreading. Similarly,
when a user runs an app that starts their car
remotely, a system in the car uses actuators to
perform the required actions.
** Often, actuators are combined with sensors. For example,
consider a remote-control surveillance camera that shows the user
video and allows the user to turn the camera and control the zoom.
Primarily, the camera acts as a sensor that takes video of its
environment and delivers the video to the user. However, actuators
are used to turn the camera and change the zoom.
d. Connectivity – New enabling technologies for

networking, and specifically IoT networking, mean
networks are no longer exclusively tied to major
providers. Network scans exist on a much smaller and
cheaper scale while still being practical. IoT creates
these small networks between its system devices.
e. Active Engagement – Much of today's interaction with connected technology happens

through passive engagement. IoT introduces a new paradigm for active content,
product, or service engagement.

LITE MATTERS 2021
f. Small Devices – Devices, as predicted, have become

smaller, cheaper, and more powerful over time. IoT
exploits purpose-built small devices to deliver its
precision, scalability, and versatility.
IoT Advantages
a. Data – The more the information, the easier it is

to make the right decision. Knowing what to get
from the grocery while you are out, without
having to check on your own, not only saves time
but is convenient as well.
b. Tracking - The computers keep a track both on the

quality and the viability of things at home. Knowing the
expiration date of products before one consumes them
improves safety and quality of life. Also, you will never
run out of anything when you need it at the last moment.
c. Time – The amount of time saved in monitoring

and the number of trips done otherwise would be
tremendous.
d. Money – The financial aspect is the best advantage.

This technology could replace humans who are in
charge of monitoring and maintaining supplies.

LITE MATTERS 2021
IoT Disadvantages
a. Compatibility – As of now, there is no standard
for tagging and monitoring with sensors. A
uniform concept like the USB or Bluetooth is
required which should not be that difficult to do.
b. Complexity – There are several

opportunities for failure with complex
systems. For example, both you and your
spouse may receive messages that the milk
is over and both of you may end up buying
the same. That leaves you with double the
quantity required. Or there is a software bug
causing the printer to order ink multiple times
when it requires a single cartridge.
c. Privacy/Security – Privacy is a big issue with IoT. All the data must be encrypted so
that data about your financial status or how much milk you consume is not common
knowledge at the workplace or with your friends.
d. Safety – There is a chance that the software can be hacked, and your personal
information misused. The possibilities are endless. Your prescription being changed,
or your account details being hacked could put you at risk. Hence, all the safety risks
become the consumer’s responsibility.

LITE MATTERS 2021
IoT Applications
a. Human – Devices (wearables and ingestible) to monitor and maintain human health
and wellness, disease management, increased fitness, higher productivity.
b. Home – Home controllers and security systems.
c. Factories – Places with repetitive work routines, including hospitals and farms;
operating efficiencies, optimizing equipment use and inventory.

LITE MATTERS 2021
d. Vehicles – Vehicles including cars, trucks, ships, aircraft, and trains; condition-based
maintenance, usage-based design, presales analytics.
e. Offices – Energy management and security in office buildings; improved productivity,

including for mobile employees.
Future of IoT (some latest technology trends)
a. Making the houses and cities smart

In the early years, when told
about the IoT smart home projects,
people discarded the idea by examining
the complexity and difficulty of the idea.
But now, after the development of
technology, the same people are not able
to resist the charm of the projects.
The level of IoT app development
projects is scaling new heights day by
day. Intelligent thermostats and smart
lighting are the things that not only
preserve energy but also decrease the
bill amount and contribute to the great
reason why many people are choosing
IoT devices in 2019 and beyond.
Taking the idea of IoT to the city level opens completely new horizons. Better
Traffic management, congestion-free road, less polluted cities, high level of security,
all this will add up to the need of IoT to be implemented to a larger scale to achieve
the goals of smart cities.

LITE MATTERS 2021
These cities will be highly sensitive to minimal data changes. They will generate
alarms and warnings upon the slightest detection of problems.
With the help of mobile apps, we can connect the small IoT technology-based
programs of smart home projects with the owner’s mobile phone. This will not only
make the task more comfortable but with the help of advanced development
techniques, these can become controllable globally by just entering a few details on
your mobile phones.
b. Better Healthcare
With the availability of extensive data range, the healthcare results will improve.
The recently attended workshop revealed that companies are already working over IoT
technologies that identify and collect data over cancer, images readings change in
body parameters at different stages of the disease to develop a technology that will
determine the development of cancerous cells in the body at very early stages. This
will not only help with new medication but will also help in the prevention of disease
and ensure a longer life of the patient. Many other such technologies will come and
thrive in the coming years in the market of medicine.

LITE MATTERS 2021
c. Taking data analysis to a new level

Remembering a scene from a famous sci-fi movie Interstellar, due to lack of
experimental data, the thesis was not completed until it was made available. IoT will
serve the same purpose. In the time that will come, we will see a significant trend taking
place amidst IoT and connected world.
The expectation is that the individuals, as well as the corporations, will be able
to get assistance for the decisions they need help for, from the single unit comprising
of IoT and AI with the world. AI can quickly identify trends, thus making IoT able to
collect extensive data with better precision and accuracy.
This collected data can be analyzed on the frequency of events occurring for
better outcomes, thus directing our lives and decisions to a path of ultimate success.
d. A.I. & Big Data

There are many clients and devices related to the industry that has an immense
amount of data to analyze as well as process and which is only going to expand in the
future. And these clients and devices are connected to IoT along with data
transmission. Very advanced techniques are required to handle such an enormous
amount of data which can be done by merging the artificial intelligence with big data
and IoT. And this seems to be quite promising when it comes to working with such a
large amount of data.

LITE MATTERS 2021
ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION (RPA)
“Our technology improved ever since and becomes more innovative as time passes
by. RPA will be more advanced as the A.I. and Machine Learning to be more powerful
in the future that it’ll make our lives easier and more efficient.”
The institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPAAI)
defined robotic process automation (RPA) as “the application of technology allows employees
in a company to figure computer software or a “robot” to capture and interpret existing
applications for processing the transaction, manipulating data, triggering responses and
communicating with other digital systems” (Institute for Robotic Process Automation & Artificial
Intelligence, 2018, para. 3).
It is a technology used for software tools that functions partially or fully automate
human activities that are manual, rule-based, and is repetitive. It works by replicating the
actions of an actual human that interacts with one or many software applications to perform
different tasks such as data entry, process standard transactions, or respond to simple
customer service queries.
All of this said, in practice there are severe limitations on what a robotic process automation
tool can do. It must be scripted/programmed to perform a repetitive task. To do that a subject
matter expert who really understands how the work is done manually must be employed to
map out those steps.
In addition, the data sources and destinations need to be highly structured and
unchanging – robotic process automation tools do not deal with quirks, errors, exceptions or
the normal mess of human interactions well at all.
Short History
One of the said first steps toward the innovation would eventually lead to the creation
of RPA was Machine Learning. It is widely credited that the name was first coined in 1959 by
Arthur Samuel, A pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence who at the time was working for
infamous computer company, IBM. Machine learning started as a scientific endevour aimed
at creating artificial intelligence.
In 1960s, they combined artificial intelligence with the interactions between computers
and human languages. The goal is to help computers understand and process human
language more accurately since computers does not have the same understanding of natural
language that humans do.
Then in 1990s, there were a few more key developments. One of those was screen
scraping software.

LITE MATTERS 2021
By the early 2000s simple RPA was developed; however, it remained relatively
unknown for some time– it was not until 2015 when RPA began to enter the mainstream.
How does RPA works?
Log into any application Connect to system APIs Copy and Paste data
Extract and process structured

and semi structured content from
Move files and folders documents, PDFs, emails, and
Read and write database
forms
Open emails and

Scrape data from the web Make calculations
attachments
Categories
PROBOTS KNOWBOTS CHATBOTS

are bots that follow simple, are bots that search the internet are virtual agents who can
repeatable rules to process to gather and store user- respond to customer queries in
data. specified information. real time.

LITE MATTERS 2021
Pros and Cons
PROS CONS
• Improved Efficiency • Monetary Expense

• Greater Productivity • Lack of Technical Ability
• Elimination of Human Error • Major Change
• Cost Savings • Redundancy
• Lower Turnover
RPA Uses
RPA can support this manual process and complete it without

Data Migration
introducing human error.
Claims Administration RPA is used to claim and process claims.
RPA can help diminish the workload of the human help desk by
Help Desk
taking care of straightforward, repetitive issues.
It consolidates information of customers. So, the agents have all

Call Centre Operations the information they need from multiple systems to provide
exemplary service.
RPA ensures that every employee is onboarded according to

On Boarding Employees the established process and that they receive all the information
required to comply with company guidelines.
RPA is used on administrative tasks such as updating the

customer relationship management (CRM) system, setting up
Supports Sales Process
the client in the billing system, and inputting data into sales
metrics and monitoring systems.
Bots can gather all details such as insurance information,

Scheduling System appointment request, location preferences and more to make
appointment scheduling more efficient.
RPA gathers information and documents, doing credit and

Credit Card Applications background cheques, and ultimately deciding if the applicant is
worthy of receiving credit and issuing the actual card.
Pulling Data from Multiple RPA tech can help make it happen by scraping data off
Sites for Best Deals websites, comparing it and showing you the best deal.
Most companies require their employees to input details on

Expense Management expense reports such as business name, data and amounts that
an RPA bot can automatically extract from submitted receipts.

LITE MATTERS 2021
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
“By allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied, Blockchain

technology created the backbone of a new type of internet.”
Looking back in Chapter 1, a blockchain is a decentralized (i.e., no one is regulating

or controlling it), distributed, and oftentimes public, digital ledger consisting of records called
blocks that is used to record transactions across many computers so that any involved block
cannot be altered retroactively, without the alteration of all subsequent blocks. It is a system
of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat
the system.
Transaction Process

LITE MATTERS 2021
The blockchain is an undeniably ingenious invention – the brainchild of a person or

group of people known by the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto. As a web infrastructure, you
do not need to know about the blockchain for it to be useful in your life.
The reason why the blockchain has gained so much admiration is that:
a. It is not owned by a single entity; hence it is decentralized.
b. The data is cryptographically stored inside.
c. The blockchain is immutable, so no one can tamper with the data that is inside the
blockchain.
d. The blockchain is transparent so one can track the data if they want to.
3 Pillars of Blockchain Technology

LITE MATTERS 2021
How is Blockchain Used?
As we now know, blocks on Bitcoin’s blockchain store data about monetary

transactions. But it turns out that blockchain is a reliable way of storing data about other types
of transactions, as well.
Some companies that have already incorporated blockchain include Walmart, Pfizer,
AIG, Siemens, Unilever, and a host of others. For example, IBM has created its Food Trust
blockchain to trace the journey that food products take to get to its locations.
a. Smart Contracts – Distributed ledger technology enable the coding

of simple contracts that will execute when specified conditions are
met.
b. Cryptocurrencies – Blockchain forms the bedrock for

cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It allows cryptocurrencies to operate
without the need for a central authority. This not only reduces risk
but also eliminates many of the processing and transaction fees.
c. The Sharing Economy – By enabling peer-to-peer payments, the

blockchain opens the door to direct interaction between parties a
truly decentralized sharing economy result.
d. Crowdfunding – Blockchains take this interest to the next level,

potentially creating crowd-sourced venture capital funds.
e. Governance – distributed database technology could bring full

transparency to elections or any other kind of poll taking.
f. Supply Chain Auditing – Distributed ledgers provide an easy

way to certify that the backstories of the things we buy are
genuine.
g. File Storage – Decentralizing file storage on the internet brings clear

benefits. Distributing data throughout the network protects files from
getting hacked or lost.

LITE MATTERS 2021
h. Prediction Markets – Blockchains are a “wisdom of the crowd”

technology that will no doubt find other applications in the years
to come.
i. Protection of Intellectual Property – Smart contracts can protect

copyright and automate the sale of creative works online, eliminating
the risk of file copying and redistribution.
j. IoT – The network-controlled management of certain types of

electronic devices – for instance, the monitoring of air
temperature in a storage facility.
k. Identity Management – Having a secure identity will also be

important for online interactions — for instance, in the sharing
economy.
l. Data Management – In future, users will have the ability to

manage and sell the data their online activity generates.
m. Land Title Registration – Blockchains can make all kinds of record-

keeping more efficient. Property titles are a case in point. Tend to be
susceptible to fraud, as well as costly and labor-intensive to
administer.
n. Stock Trading – The potential for added efficiency in share

settlement makes a strong use case for blockchains in stock
trading.

LITE MATTERS 2021
Pros and Cons
PROS CONS
• Improved accuracy by removing • Significant technology cost

human involvement in verification. associated with mining Bitcoin.
• Cost reductions by eliminating third- • Low transactions per second
party verification. • History of use in illicit activities
• Decentralization makes it harder to • Regulation
tamper with.
• Transactions are secure, private,
and efficient.
• Transparent technology
• Provides a banking alternative and
way to secure personal information
for citizens of countries with
unstable or underdeveloped
governments
What’s Next for Blockchain?
First proposed as a research project in 1991, Blockchain is comfortably settling into its
late twenties. Like most millennials its age, blockchain has seen its fair share of public scrutiny
over the last two decades, with businesses around the world speculating about what the
technology is capable of and where it’s headed in the years to come.
With many practical applications for the technology already being implemented and
explored, blockchain is finally making a name for itself at age twenty-seven, in no small part
because of bitcoin and cryptocurrency. As a buzzword on the tongue of every investor in the
nation, blockchain stands to make business and government operations more accurate,
efficient, secure, and cheap with fewer middlemen.
As we prepare to head into the third decade of blockchain, it is no longer a question of

"if" legacy companies will catch on to the technology—it is a question of "when”.

LITE MATTERS 2021
EDGE COMPUTING & CLOUD COMPUTING
“I don’t need a hard disk in my computer if I can get to the server faster… carrying
around these non-connected computers is byzantine by comparison.”
– Steve Jobs, late chairman of Apple (1997)
Edge Computing
Edge computing brings data storage and compute power closer to the device or data
source where it is most needed. Information is not processed on the cloud filtered through
distant data centers; instead, the cloud comes to you. This distribution eliminates lag-time and
saves bandwidth. The processes include computing and storage, and networking.
Edge Computing is an alternative approach to the cloud environment as opposed to

the “Internet of Things.” It is about processing real-time data near the data source, which is
considered the ‘edge’ of the network. It is about running applications as physically close as
possible to the site where the data is being generated instead of a centralized cloud or data
center or data storage location.
For example, if a vehicle automatically calculates fuel consumption, sensors based on

data received directly from the sensors, the computer performing that action is called an Edge
computing device or simply “edge device”.

LITE MATTERS 2021
Advantages of Using Edge Computing
a. Improved Performance – Besides

collecting data for transmission to the
cloud, edge computing also
processes, analyses, and performs
necessary actions on the collected
data locally. Since these processes
are completed in milliseconds, it has
become essential in optimizing
technical data, no matter what the
operations may be.
b. Reducing Operational Costs – it has a

significantly less bandwidth requirement and less
latency. By applying edge computing, a valuable
continuum from the device to the cloud is
created, which can handle the massive amounts
of data generated.
Examples of Edge Computing
a. Autonomous Vehicles – Self-driven or AI-

powered cars and other vehicles require a
massive volume of data from their surroundings
to work correctly in real-time.
b. Streaming Services – Services like Netflix,

Disney+ and Amazon Prime all create a heavy load
on network infrastructure. Edge computing helps
create a smoother experience via edge caching –
this is when popular content is cached in facilities
located closer to end-users for easier and quicker
access.
c. Smart Homes – Similar to streaming services,

the growing popularity of smart homes poses a
problem. Processing information closer to the
source means less latency and quicker
response times in emergency scenarios.

LITE MATTERS 2021
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing revolves around large, centralized servers stored in data centers.
After data is created on an end device, that data travels to that central server for processing.
Cloud computing refers to the use of various services such as software development
platforms, storage, servers, and other software through internet connectivity. Vendors for
cloud computing have three common characteristics which are mentioned below:
• Services are scalable.

• A user must pay the expenses of the services used, which can include memory,
processing time, and bandwidth.
• Cloud vendors manage the back-end of the application.
Service Models
Cloud computing services can be deployed in terms of business models, which can
differ depending on specific requirements. Some of the conventional service models employed
are described in brief below.
a. Platform as a Service or PaaS – PaaS allows consumers to purchase access to

platforms, allowing them to deploy their software and applications on the cloud. The
consumer does not manage the operating systems or the network access.
b. Software as a Service or SaaS – also known as cloud application services, it

represents the most utilized option for businesses in the cloud market. SaaS utilizes
the internet to deliver applications, which are managed by a third-party vendor, to its
users.

LITE MATTERS 2021
c. Infrastructure as a Service or IaaS – Here, consumers can control and manage the
operating systems, applications, network connectivity, and storage, without controlling
the cloud themselves.
Deployment Models
Just like the service models, cloud computing deployment models also depend on
requirements. There are four main deployment models, each of which has its characteristics.
a. Community Cloud – these infrastructures allow a cloud to be shared among several

organizations with shared interests and similar requirements. As a result, this limits
capital expenditure costs as it is shared among the many organizations using them.
These operations may be conducted with a third party on the premises or 100% in-
house.
b. Private Cloud – these are deployed, maintained, and operated solely for specific
organizations.
c. Public Cloud – these can be used by the public on a commercial basis but owned by
a cloud service provider. A consumer can thus, develop and deploy a service without
the substantial financial resources required in other deployment options.
d. Hybrid Cloud: This type of cloud infrastructure consists of several different types of
clouds. However, these clouds have the capability to allow data and applications to
move from one cloud to another. Hybrid Clouds can be a combination of private and
public clouds, as well.

LITE MATTERS 2021
Benefits of Using Cloud Computing
Despite the many challenges faced by Cloud Computing, there are many benefits of
the cloud as well.
✓ Scalability/Flexibility – allows companies to start with a small deployment of

clouds and expand reasonably rapidly and efficiently. Scaling back can also be
done quickly if the situation demands it.
✓ Reliability – Services using multiple redundant sites support business
continuity and disaster recovery.
✓ Optimal Performance – it run through secure local data centers that our
Systems Administrators regularly maintain.
✓ Maintenance – The Cloud service providers themselves conduct system
maintenance.
✓ Mobile Accessibility – Cloud computing also supports Mobile accessibility to
a higher degree which makes it a very simple process to share information
across the globe.
✓ Cost Saving – By using Cloud computing, companies can significantly reduce
both their capital and operational expenditures when it comes to expanding
their computing capabilities.
5G TECHNOLOGY
5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G,
2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect
virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices.
5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-
low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more
uniform user experience to more users. Higher performance and improved efficiency empower
new user experiences and connects new industries.

LITE MATTERS 2021
A Sneak Peek at the Other Mobile Network Generations
First generation - 1G
✓ 1980s: 1G delivered analog voice.

Second generation - 2G
✓ Early 1990s: 2G introduced digital voice

(e.g., CDMA- Code Division Multiple
Access).
Third generation - 3G
✓ Early 2000s: 3G brought mobile data (e.g.,

CDMA2000).
Fourth generation - 4G LTE
✓ 2010s: 4G LTE ushered in the era of mobile

broadband.
1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G all led to 5G, which is designed to provide more connectivity than
was ever available before.
With high speeds, superior reliability, and negligible latency, 5G will expand the mobile
ecosystem into new realms. 5G will impact every industry, making safer transportation, remote
healthcare, precision agriculture, digitized logistics — and more — a reality.
How fast is 5G? 5G is designed to deliver peak data

rates up to 20 Gbps. But 5G is about more than just how fast
it is. In addition to higher peak data rates, 5G is designed to
provide much more network capacity by expanding into new
spectrum, such as mmWave.
5G can also deliver much lower latency for a more

immediate response and can provide an overall more
uniform user experience so that the data rates stay
consistently high – even when users are moving around.
5G is already here today, and global operators started launching new 5G networks in
early 2019. Also, all major phone manufacturers are commercializing 5G phones. And soon,
even more people may be able to access 5G.

LITE MATTERS 2021
e-LEARNING / BLENDED LEARNING
Definitions from Oxford Languages:
Learning conducted via electronic media,

typically on the internet. E-learning is learning
utilizing electronic technologies to access
educational curriculum outside of a traditional
classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course,
program or degree delivered completely
online.
The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion
children are out of the classroom. As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the
distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.
Research suggest that online learning has been shown to

increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning
the changes corona virus have caused might here to stay.
What does this mean for the future of learning?
While some believe that the unplanned and rapid move to

online learning – with no training, insufficient bandwidth, and
little preparation – will result in a poor user experience that is
unconducive to sustained growth, others believe that a new
hybrid model of education will emerge, with significant benefits.

LITE MATTERS 2021
OTHERS
a. Mobile Apps
Mobile applications have only grown in
popularity over the past few years, and this year,
they are surfacing in bigger and better ways.
Brands and industries all over the world are
trying to find ways in which one can improve their
work using mobile apps and through the
implementation of new resources that can make
working on the go more efficient.
b. Virtual Reality
The gaming industry has always been one
that has experienced growth alongside the
field of information technology, and
virtual reality has taken this one step
further, giving customers the very
epitome of digital experience. Virtual
reality gaming has already started to
become popular due to new
technology, which improves the way the industry can grow.
c. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is another approach to
‘artificial experiences’ that individuals are now
being given access to. This has improved the
way the field has been able to develop. AR is
seeing a lot more applicability outside the
gaming industry as well and is something that
is seeing more implementation as compared
to virtual reality.

LITE MATTERS 2021
d. Cyber Security
With the growth of digital mediums
and technology, the potential
threats that people can face are
only rising. Because of this,
cybersecurity has had to grow
extensively over the past few
years, simply to stay in touch with
the growth that is being
experienced. Industries all over the
world also realize the importance of investing in cybersecurity, which is why the field
is experiencing growth at such a rapid pace.
e. Predictive Analytics Implementations

Predictive Analytics is the process of analyzing
large volumes of data to be able to come to a
conclusion regarding the possible outcomes that a
situation might have. Market analysts see this as an
incredibly valuable tool for brands to note whether
they should be moving in a particular direction or
not. This has proven to be an incredibly efficient
method of analysis and saves the industry an
incredible amount of money in the process.
f. Quantum Computing Applications

Quantum Computing is a process of conducting complex
equations and processes to perform several complex
tasks or process large volumes of information with
absolute ease. This has proven to be incredibly beneficial
for a variety of different industries, which is why it is seeing
a massive amount of growth.
g. Open-Source Solutions
Open-Source programs give users access to some of the
main files and framework in a particular program, enabling
them to modify it with absolute ease. As more and more
users become technologically proficient, giving them the
option to work with applications themselves is proving to be
incredibly beneficial.

LITE MATTERS 2021
LESSON 5.22
RECENT AND EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES
There are a number of problems that I.T has been facing over the past couple of years
1. IoT Security
A whopping 82 percent of organizations feel challenged in their efforts to fully identify and
secure devices connected to a company’s network via the Internet of Things (IoT), according
to research cited by CIO.
Gone are the days when the chief issue facing IT was concerns with end-users struggling
to understand their systems or wrestling with their passwords. Now concerns lie much more
with the potential outside that shouldn’t be inside.
More than half of IT executives, 54 percent, are anxious about the security of their systems.
Cybersecurity threats are very real, and IT heads feel them to be. Cyber threats to an IoT
system have the potential to disable company systems and impact business performance.
2. Retraining of IT Personnel
Because of constant forward-thinking and innovation in the field, IT professionals need to

essentially always be training. Chances are, the systems and apps they know will be
upgraded, replaced and outmoded several times over.
Back in the day, many firms expected their people to pursue retraining on their own. Now,
that’s less expected, simply because platform complexity has increased. IT professionals
accept that retraining should be a company responsibility.
But how to find the time for retraining? IT heads feel challenged in this as well. As a result,
it sometimes doesn’t happen enough. In fact, 40 percent of IT professionals believe they’re
not getting the training they should be.
3. Data Overload
Massive quantities of data available has led to data overload everywhere, and nowhere is
this more true than in IT departments.
Data overload is likely to always be with us, at least for the foreseeable future. Why?
Because data streams are superabundant and likely to be only increasing from here.
Since data overload itself can’t be fought, the key is to manage it well. How? Know your
company’s key performance metrics, and follow the data that pertain to them, which can drive
improvement on the metrics. In other words, if improving cybersecurity is a goal, identify and
utilize the data that can augment cybersecurity.

LITE MATTERS 2021
4. Workload
Both IT staff and decision-makers are overwhelmed with work demands. It’s sort of a
chicken and egg scenario—decision-makers are using increasing workloads as an excuse not
to authorize training, and staff are struggling to complete assignments because they lack the
proper skills. Either way, time that was previously designated toward skills development is
now being used to catch up on an increasing backlog of work.
Workload concerns are the highest they’ve been in the history of our IT Skills and Salary
Report. It’s the number one training inhibitor, as IT professionals believe mounting Workloads
limit the amount of time they can spend out of office or in a training course.
Better manager oversight and strategy is required to address this issue. Automation may
also be a solution as a means to reduce time-consuming tasks that are not high priority.
5. Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity challenge is two-fold:
• Cyberattacks are growing in size and sophistication

• Millions of cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled
Organizations cannot take IT security lightly. An analysis of worldwide identity and access
management by the International Data Corporation (IDC) revealed that 55% of consumers
would switch platforms or providers due to the threat of a data breach, and 78% would switch
if a breach impacted them directly.1 Customers aren’t willing to put their data at risk.
The problem is there aren’t enough IT professionals with cybersecurity expertise. Forty
percent of IT decision-makers say they have cybersecurity skills gaps on their teams. It’s also
identified as the most challenging hiring area in IT.
There isn’t an immediate solution to this problem, but a long-term fix is to build your cyber
workforce from the inside. Invest in cybersecurity training and upskill your current staff. Hiring
and outsourcing isn’t always a viable (or cheap) solution. Current IT professionals who know
the industry are more appropriate to transition into successful cybersecurity professionals.
6. Skills Gaps
Over 80% of North American IT departments have skills gaps. Globally, IT skills gaps have
increased by 155% in three years. They can no longer be ignored, especially as a lack of
necessary skills can be credited for increased employee stress, development and deployment
delays, and increased operating costs.
According to IT decision-makers, skills gaps will cost employers up to 416 hours and over
$22,000 per employee, per year. You would think those numbers would motivate organizations
to increase skill development opportunities for employees, but that isn’t always the case. Less
than 60% of decision-makers say their organizations offer formal training for technical
employees, down one percent from the previous year. This tells us that organizations aren’t
serious enough about skill development.

LITE MATTERS 2021
The time to act is now—skills gaps will only grow and further debilitate IT departments
unless actions are taken. Strategic and continual training is the antidote. That’s the good news.
The uphill battle is conveying the value to management and securing budget to ensure
employees receive continual training. IT professionals need better support. If organizations do
not invest in their employees’ skills now, they will pay for it down the road.
7. Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is latest disrupter. It has led to technology no longer providing a

sustained competitive advantage. It now plays a supporting role to people with the right skills.
Expertise is needed now more than ever to manage and implement all of the new
technologies.
But it’s not that simple. As discussed above, IT departments are suffering from gaps in
critical skills areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing and DevOps. Even IT professionals
who are offered professional development opportunities are struggling to keep up. The rate of
technological change is outpacing training.
IT professionals and departments are falling behind—they are failing to meet business
objectives and seize market opportunities. While continual training is part of the equation,
prioritizing skill needs is even more of a priority. That’s why we created the Skills Development
Index™ to help IT professionals rank their most critical skill needs and determine which type
of training to pursue. Informal training has its merits, especially when on-the-fly knowledge
must be acquired, but when a high-value project is on the line, more formal learning is the
better option.
8. Cloud Computing
Cloud is the top investment area worldwide for IT departments. Organizations require an
infusion of cloud skills to match their monetary investment in cloud platforms. Much like
cybersecurity, cloud professionals are in high demand and short supply. According to IT
decision-makers, cloud computing is the second most challenging hiring area in the world.
The opportunities of cloud computing are impossible to ignore. Cloud is the ultimate
enabler, opening new channels of revenue by leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence
(AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). But professionals are needed to capitalize on this
technology, and currently, there aren’t enough of them.
Despite the worker shortage, organizations are all-in on cloud solutions. In fact, more than
50% of organizations use more than one cloud provider. It’s not unique for an organization to
require cloud skills in AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. And generic cloud computing
expertise isn’t enough, especially if you’re an engineer or architect. It’s imperative that cloud
professionals have current skill sets and train on the platforms they engage with regularly.

LITE MATTERS 2021
9. Analytics and Data Management
Aside from cybersecurity and cloud computing, this is the biggest skill gap area for IT
departments. Organizations are struggling to manage a wealth of new data. By 2025, IDC
estimates the world will create and replicate 163 zettabytes (ZB) of data, 10 times the number
that was created in 2016. New data is constantly accumulating, creating a host of storage and
security risks that must be addressed. IT professionals are desperately needed to manage
this data growth, but the problem has exacerbated because qualified individuals are difficult
to come by.
It’s not enough to accumulate this data. Organizations need analysts and critical thinkers
to create a culture of information, enabling data-driven decisions to inform almost all business
activities.
The good news is most cloud platforms, such as AWS and GCP, allow you to capture,
process, store and analyze data all in one place. The key now is to upskill and certify
professionals on the technologies and services associated with these platforms.
10. Automation
Since workload is the biggest challenge for IT professionals, finding ways to automate
more mundane and time-consuming tasks such as email sends and social media posting is
crucial.
But companies are now looking to automate larger and more business-critical tasks, such
as cyberattack response, log monitoring and ERP integration.
Automation’s role in cybersecurity is certainly growing. It’s a tool that should be used to
predict cyber threats and implement responses more quickly than can be accomplished
manually.
Hackers are using automation to execute their attacks, so it’s time to bring the fight back
to them. Automation allows attackers to move quickly, so organizations demand a faster
detection and response time.
Automation is also useful in cloud migration. For organizations moving to the cloud, many
of the migration tasks, such as manual configuration, can be automated, which reduces
migration time from days to minutes.

LITE MATTERS 2021
REFERENCES
Comer, D.E. (2019) The Internet Book: Everything You Need to Know about Computer
Networking and How the Internet Works (5th ed.). CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group
https://www.aiim.org/What-is-Robotic-Process-Automation
https://ayehu.com/pros-cons-robotic-process-automation/
https://www.infoworld.com/article/3230383/intro-to-robotic-process-automation.html
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/RPA#:~:text=Robotic%20process%20automation
%20(RPA)%20is,maintenance%20of%20records%20and%20transactions.
https://www.uipath.com/rpa/robotic-process-automation
https://phoenixnap.com/blog/edge-computing-vs-cloud-computing
https://www.educba.com/example-of-cloud-computing//
https://www.netcov.com/what-is-cloud-computing/
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/blockchain.asp
https://www.qualcomm.com/5g/what-is-
5g#:~:text=A%3A%205G%20is%20the%205th,machines%2C%20objects%2C%20and%20d
evices.
https://linchpinseo.com/trends-in-the-information-technology-industry/
https://www.netcov.com/what-is-cloud-computing/
https://www.bmc.com/blogs/saas-vs-paas-vs-iaas-whats-the-difference-and-how-to-choose/
https://nescoresource.com/blogs/details/the-biggest-issues-facing-it-today-/180/
https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/resources/resource-library/articles/12-challenges-
facing-it-professionals/

LITE Chapter 5

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

LITE Chapter 5

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

LITE Matters

AN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL IN MST 101D* [LIVING IN

DEO STEPHANIE R. ANGELES

CHAPTER FIVE DURATION

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 1

THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT)

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 2

How does IoT work?

a. Artificial Intelligence – IoT essentially makes

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 3

b. Sensors – Data is first collected from the environment

c. Actuators – A device that controls a mechanical

d. Connectivity – New enabling technologies for

e. Active Engagement – Much of today's interaction with connected technology happens

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 4

f. Small Devices – Devices, as predicted, have become

a. Data – The more the information, the easier it is

b. Tracking - The computers keep a track both on the

c. Time – The amount of time saved in monitoring

d. Money – The financial aspect is the best advantage.

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 5

b. Complexity – There are several

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 6

b. Home – Home controllers and security systems.

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 7

e. Offices – Energy management and security in office buildings; improved productivity,

Future of IoT (some latest technology trends)

a. Making the houses and cities smart

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 8

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 9

c. Taking data analysis to a new level

d. A.I. & Big Data

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 10

ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION (RPA)

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 11

How does RPA works?

Extract and process structured

Open emails and

PROBOTS KNOWBOTS CHATBOTS

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 12

Pros and Cons

• Improved Efficiency • Monetary Expense

RPA can support this manual process and complete it without

Claims Administration RPA is used to claim and process claims.

It consolidates information of customers. So, the agents have all

RPA ensures that every employee is onboarded according to

RPA is used on administrative tasks such as updating the

Bots can gather all details such as insurance information,

RPA gathers information and documents, doing credit and

Most companies require their employees to input details on

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 13

“By allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied, Blockchain

Looking back in Chapter 1, a blockchain is a decentralized (i.e., no one is regulating

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 14

The blockchain is an undeniably ingenious invention – the brainchild of a person or

3 Pillars of Blockchain Technology

ANGELES, CARACTA, EUSEBIO, GALVEZ, GAN, VILLAFUERTE 15

How is Blockchain Used?

As we now know, blocks on Bitcoin’s blockchain store data about monetary

a. Smart Contracts – Distributed ledger technology enable the coding

b. Cryptocurrencies – Blockchain forms the bedrock for

c. The Sharing Economy – By enabling peer-to-peer payments, the

d. Crowdfunding – Blockchains take this interest to the next level,

e. Governance – distributed database technology could bring full