ExpertThe Impact of Advances in Technology
Learning outcomes
- Understand Cloud computing, AI, Big Data, and Blockchain.
- Identify Cyber Attack threats and mitigations.
Modern Technologies
- Cloud Computing: Accessing servers, storage, and software over the internet (e.g., AWS). Converts capital expenditure (buying servers) into operational expenditure (monthly subscriptions).
- Big Data: Datasets so large they require advanced analytics. Defined by the 3 Vs: Volume (amount), Velocity (speed of data generation), and Variety (text, video, sensors).
- Blockchain: A decentralized, distributed public ledger. Transactions are recorded across many computers so that the record cannot be altered retroactively. Highly secure and transparent.
Which of the '3 Vs' of Big Data refers to the different types of data being collected, such as social media posts, video files, and sensor readings?
Blockchain is not just Crypto
While Bitcoin uses blockchain, blockchain itself is just a technology (a distributed ledger). It can be used for supply chain tracking, smart contracts, and secure medical records.
Cyber Security Threats
As tech advances, so do threats:
- Phishing: Fraudulent emails tricking users into revealing passwords.
- Ransomware: Malware that encrypts a company's data until a ransom is paid.
- DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): Flooding a website with traffic until it crashes.
An employee receives an email appearing to be from the CEO, asking them to urgently click a link and log in to verify their account. This is an example of:
Exam Focus
The best defense against Ransomware is having secure, offline backups. If your data is encrypted by hackers, you can just wipe the system and restore from the backup without paying the ransom.
What is a primary financial benefit of moving from on-premise servers to Cloud Computing?
Which technology is best described as a 'decentralized, distributed public ledger'?
A competitor hires a botnet to flood an e-commerce website with millions of fake requests, causing the site to crash during Black Friday. What type of attack is this?
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ACCA BT — Business & Technology Practice Exam 3
Premium mock exam replication for ACCA Business and Technology (BT). This exam mirrors live computer-based testing parameters, featuring 46 Objective Test Questions (Section A) and 6 Multi-Task Questions (Section B). It covers the complete syllabus: Business Organization, Structure & Governance, Technology & Regulation, Leadership, Personal Effectiveness, and Professional Ethics.