WGU C182 Introduction to IT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS UPDATED 2026
Information Technology - The technology used in creating, maintaining, and making information
accessible.
IT Professional Roles - Administration and Support
System Administrator - Maintains all aspects of the system including hardware, software, and
programming.
Network Administrator - In charge of all aspects of the computer network
Database Administrator - Focuses on the design, development, and support of database
management systems (DBMSs).
Security Administrator - Installs, configures, and administers firewall security to protect systems
and proactively work to stop intrusions.
Web Administrator - Installs, configures, maintains, secures, and troubleshoots web severs.
Support IT Professionals - Help desk and training.
Information - Processed data.
,DIKW Hierarchy - Defines the transition of data to information from knowledge to wisdom.
(Data Information Knowledge Wisdom)
Data in DIKW - The input directly received by the user (or computer). It is generally not usable
until it has been converted into a relevant form.
Information in DIKW - Having been inferred from data; one or more processes have been
applied to the data to transform it into a more useful form.
Knowledge in DIKW - Information that has been put to use; information placed into a context.
Refined information such that the user of the knowledge is able to call forth only relevant
portions of information when needed.
Wisdom in DIKW - Provides a social setting to knowledge; an understanding of the "why". Can
only come by having both knowledge and experience.
Information Systems - A collection of data and information used to support the management of
an organization. Also refers to the technical components and human resources that enable the
assembly, storage, and processing of data and the delivery of information. This has existed for a
lot longer than computers.
Characteristics of Quality Data - Relevance - the data being used must apply directly to the
decision being made
Timely - data must be efficient and must be provided in a timely manner
Thorough - the data must be complete
Accurate - data should be captured only once, where possible and should be captured as close
to the point of activity as possible.
, Reliable - data should reflect stable and consistent data collection processes across collections
points and over time
IPOS - The Input-Procession-Output-Storage Cycle
Input - Raw data is entered by the user.
Processing - Raw data is organized or structured for usefulness.
Output - Information is output so user can see results.
Storage - Processed information is stored for permanent record.
Computer System - A collection of components that work together to meet the needs of the
user; typically categorized as either hardware, software, networks, or users.
Hardware - Physical components of a computer system which include the system unit and its
components and peripheral devices; tangible aspects of the computer.
Software - Computer programs that tell the computer what to do--how to execute commands
and process information
Network - A collection of computers and resources connected by various media so that they can
communicate with each other.
User - Those who use a computer.
ANSWERS UPDATED 2026
Information Technology - The technology used in creating, maintaining, and making information
accessible.
IT Professional Roles - Administration and Support
System Administrator - Maintains all aspects of the system including hardware, software, and
programming.
Network Administrator - In charge of all aspects of the computer network
Database Administrator - Focuses on the design, development, and support of database
management systems (DBMSs).
Security Administrator - Installs, configures, and administers firewall security to protect systems
and proactively work to stop intrusions.
Web Administrator - Installs, configures, maintains, secures, and troubleshoots web severs.
Support IT Professionals - Help desk and training.
Information - Processed data.
,DIKW Hierarchy - Defines the transition of data to information from knowledge to wisdom.
(Data Information Knowledge Wisdom)
Data in DIKW - The input directly received by the user (or computer). It is generally not usable
until it has been converted into a relevant form.
Information in DIKW - Having been inferred from data; one or more processes have been
applied to the data to transform it into a more useful form.
Knowledge in DIKW - Information that has been put to use; information placed into a context.
Refined information such that the user of the knowledge is able to call forth only relevant
portions of information when needed.
Wisdom in DIKW - Provides a social setting to knowledge; an understanding of the "why". Can
only come by having both knowledge and experience.
Information Systems - A collection of data and information used to support the management of
an organization. Also refers to the technical components and human resources that enable the
assembly, storage, and processing of data and the delivery of information. This has existed for a
lot longer than computers.
Characteristics of Quality Data - Relevance - the data being used must apply directly to the
decision being made
Timely - data must be efficient and must be provided in a timely manner
Thorough - the data must be complete
Accurate - data should be captured only once, where possible and should be captured as close
to the point of activity as possible.
, Reliable - data should reflect stable and consistent data collection processes across collections
points and over time
IPOS - The Input-Procession-Output-Storage Cycle
Input - Raw data is entered by the user.
Processing - Raw data is organized or structured for usefulness.
Output - Information is output so user can see results.
Storage - Processed information is stored for permanent record.
Computer System - A collection of components that work together to meet the needs of the
user; typically categorized as either hardware, software, networks, or users.
Hardware - Physical components of a computer system which include the system unit and its
components and peripheral devices; tangible aspects of the computer.
Software - Computer programs that tell the computer what to do--how to execute commands
and process information
Network - A collection of computers and resources connected by various media so that they can
communicate with each other.
User - Those who use a computer.
