1 © 2007 Chapter 10 Information Technology and Systems Infrastructure Assessment

© 2007 EHR System Architecture Computing architecture refers to the technical building blocks that support the operation and use of a computer system Fundamental computer system architecture supports –Input/output –Processing –Storage

© 2007 Input/Output (I/O) Devices Also known as human-computer interfaces, because they are the connection between a human and the computing power of the application in the computer Input/output devices: Personal computers Workstations Desktops Laptops/Notebooks Tablets PDAs Smart phones Keyboards Display screens Navigational devices Optical character recognition (OCR) Document scanners Bar codes Voice/speech input Printers

© 2007 I/O Considerations Source of power –Cabled to electrical outlet or battery Network connectivity –Wired vs. wireless connectivity Portability –Consider size, weight, heat Computers on wheels (COW)* Wireless on wheels (WOW) Workstations on wheels (WOW) Screen (real estate) –Size and resolution Navigational devices –Consider ease of use and loss concerns * Not considered politically correct!

© 2007 Data Storage “Secondary” storage devices = drives –Secondary to primary storage in the computer’s processors Storage media –Magnetic tape –Magnetic disks –Optical disks –Flash drives/USB drives Storage configuration: RAID Storage area networks (SAN) Storage management

© 2007 Computer Categories Supercomputer Mainframe computer Minicomputers Microcomputers Portable microcomputers Handheld computers Network computers (thin clients)

© 2007 Communications and Network Architecture Two or more computers communicate makes a network –Client/server architecture: –Web services architecture:

© 2007 Network Configuration LAN WAN WLAN VPN Topology –Physical –Logical

© 2007 Network Components Network Operating System –Windows, Unix, or other Network Interface –NIC, LAN Adapters, wireless access card Transmission Medium –Hardwire cable, infrared light, radio frequencies Other devices –Hub –Bridge –Router switch –Gateway –Multiplexor –Modems

© 2007 Network Protocols Rules of the road OSI –Seven layers TCP/IP FTP HTTP

© 2007 Application Software Operating System (O/S) –Platform Application software (source code) –Makes applications perform their functions Application integration –Different applications which have been designed from the same platform to work together Application interface –Hardware, software, data definition, messaging protocols to exchange data between applications from different systems

© 2007 Standards Related Organizations HL7 DICOM NCPDP IEEE ANSI-ASC X12N ASTM HITSP

© 2007 Systems Reliability, Privacy & Security Reliability –Errors –Crashes –Performance problems Privacy and Security –HISPC –HIPAA Privacy Rule –HIPAA Security Rule –State data breach notification laws

© 2007 Security Risk Analysis Threats to security –Agents –Targets –Events Unauthorized access Modification, alteration, and destruction Denial of service Repudiation Vulnerabilities –Gaps that occur in administrative processes, physical facility, and technical infrastructure

© 2007 Security Controls Management support Applications and data criticality analysis Policies and procedures Information security official User responsibility Administrative, physical, and technical controls Training Ongoing auditing and monitoring

© 2007 Conclusion Information technology and systems infrastructure assessment –Describes current environment –Compares to standards/user needs –Evaluates technical requirements for new applications –Plans for acquisition of technology –Plans for technology obsolescence