Chapter 7: Big Problems, Big Data: The Critical Role of IT During an Era of Pandemic Disruption

The harrowing effects of COVID-19 provides a daily reminder of the frailty of life. As COVID-19 reached epidemic levels throughout the world, information technology (IT) professionals worked diligently to support medical experts to inform people, prevent its spread, identify better treatments, and find long-term cures. Big data software and systems stepped up to the plate, providing IT infrastructure and services to support the mammoth pandemic response. Medical experts throughout the world have acted tirelessly to help treat patients but also identify how to prevent deaths and find effective vaccinations. Behind the scenes, IT professionals are supplying the medical community with the computing resources necessary to fulfill their roles more proficiently. In this chapter, we will outline examples of how IT is supporting healthcare amidst the pandemic but also its ability to support future demands during catastrophic events.