Since then the Internet has been growing, getting faster, and finding its way into more and more peoples lives every day. .

             Over 2.7 trillion e-mail messages alone were sent in 1997 (Nickels,Mchugh 508). Keeping that in mind it is easy to see why we need managers in order to keep this information from cluttering up systems and getting lost in the hectic world today. Therefore there is a new breed of manager, a information systems manager, one that can keep the flow of information in and out of a corporation flowing with a minimal breakdown. Information that corporations rely on a day to day basis.

             There are basically three types of networks in use today. Internet, Intranet and the extranet. Most people are aware of and use the first I will talk about, the Internet. The internet is a series of computers and computer networks that are linked together through one large, what is often called "superhighway," in which users can look at almost any information that they are given access to in their own home or office. There are some regulations, as I will speak about later, but there isn"t someone constantly looking over your shoulder and information is usually very easy to come by. An Intranet is usually a company wide network closed to the public in which people within the company are the only ones who have access to this information. Intranets are used to send interoffice mail, forms, and other information which once had to be written out and sent throughout the corporation wasting valuable time and paper. Extranets are semiprivate networks that allow others from outside different corporations to access to certain information as needed to accomplish tasks or so others can collaborate on different problems. This is allowing more people to access information that they might need at their office from their home or even another country. But with this freedom also comes the threat of others who hack their way into certain information that is not meant to be seen by those outside of the corporation.