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Associate
Banking Diploma — Option Subject Management of Information Technology |
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| Objective To provide non-specialists with a sound knowledge and understanding of information technology (IT) and its application to the financial services industry. |
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| SYLLABUS | ||
| 1. | Computer
Systems in the Organisation The importance of IT in business, and in particular the financial services industry. Its effect upon the organisation and the people who work in it. You should be able to quote examples from the financial services industry to support any assertions made. |
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| 1.1 | Business: The effect of computer systems on the type of business carried out and the response of the business to opportunities and competition. | |
| 1.2 | Employees: The effects of compute systems on employees and their working environment; impact on employment patterns and on individual clerical and management functions. | |
| 1.3 | Management: The application of systems to support management effectiveness and decision making. Management of change as a result of implementing new systems. Achieving the business benefits from computer systems. | |
| 1.4 | Customers: The implications to the customer of the use of IT on the delivery of financial products and services. Impact of IT on the banker/customer relationship. | |
| 1.5 | Training: The importance of training in the effective use of IT and the dangers of inadequate training. | |
| 1.6 | Strategic Issues: Business planning and the importance of a coherent IT policy; evaluation and achievement of benefits of implementing computer systems. The use of IT in achieving competitive advantage. | |
| 2.
Information Processing and Computer Hardware You should have a sound grasp of: - the general principles involved in the processing of each type of information; - the basic operation of computer hardware; - types of software ranging from custom-written programs to general purpose off-the-shelf packages; - commercial application of systems used in banking and finance. |
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| 2.1 | Electronic
Office (Office Automation): Text processing: an understanding of the functionality
and application of typical word-processing and desk-top publishing systems. Spreadsheets: the principal features and common uses of spreadsheets. Communication: electronic mail and document transfer. Multi-media: merging of audio, visual and communication systems. |
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| 2.2 |
Data Processing: File-based systems - file types, files,
fields and records, access to files. Databases: use and application; function of Database Management Systems (DBMS); logical and physical views of data; extraction of data using query languages. On-line transaction processing and batch processing: differences, suitability for specific applications. |
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| 2.3 |
Decision Support Systems: The general principles of ‘knowledge-based’
systems, their use and capabilities. Executive information systems. The production and use of management information at strategic, tactical and operational levels. |
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| 2.4 | Computer
Hardware: Central processing unit (CPU): the purpose and functions
of the processor unit and its associated memory. Storage media: the types of magnetic and optical storage media, their advantages and disadvantages. Input and output devices: types of device, their characteristics and applications. Communication devices: transmission of data across analog and digital networks. |
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| 2.5 |
Computer systems and Networks Architecture of computer networks: local and wide area networks; distributed and centralised systems; client/server systems; micro, mini and mainframe computers. Systems software: the basic function of operating systems and environments. |
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| 3. |
Information Security You should have a sound understanding of the reasons for securing data and the general principles which apply when assessing risks and determining what security measures need to be taken. |
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| 3.1 |
Legislation: Data Protection Act 1984: its purpose, principles and responsibilities. Computer Misuse Act 1990: its purpose and application. |
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| 3.2 | Confidentiality: The classification of data, types of exposure, associated risks and methods of reducing or eliminating the risk. | |
| 3.3 | Availability: Maintaining computer system availability, assessment of the level of contingency and recovery required. Disaster recovery. | |
| 3.4 |
Integrity: Protecting system and data integrity from: Internal threats: software and hardware failures, data corruption during input, processing or transmission. External threats: accidental or deliberate misuse, hacking. |
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| 4. | Management
of Systems Development and Implementation You should have a sound grasp of the main processes involved in the development of systems to address business needs, the use of systems development methodologies and the management of projects. (Detailed knowledge of any specific methodology will not be expected.) |
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| 4.1 | Systems Development Cycle: The activities in each of the steps in the development and maintenance of systems, with emphasis on those steps where users are most heavily involved, including post-implementation reviews. | |
| 4.2 | Project Management: The definition of a project and its management, including an understanding of tools used to control projects, such as Gantt charts and network analysis. | |
| 4.3 | Business
Analysis: Business re-engineering: use of process mapping int he
understanding and analysis of improving delivery of products and services,
use of IT to re-engineer rather than just automate manual processes. User involvement: use of techniques such as joint application design and prototyping. Quality: measurement of quality in systems design and implementation. |
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THE EXAMINATION Time Allowed: Three hours. Examination
Format: Candidates are required to attempt five 20 mark questions
from a choice of eight. |
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