The field IT Operations and Hardware is of interest to professionals with a job profile that matches or is close to

• Responsibles for operating IT systems and applications. This includes the planning, procurement and installation, maintenance/enhancement and eventually decommissioning of IT infrastructure and the buildings and energy supplies necessary. IT infrastructure is hardware, networks but also platform software like the operating systems, drivers, etc.
  They may also be responsible for the security and safety of the operated IT solutions. Security meaning that the IT solutions are not harmed from outside and safety meaning that the IT solutions do not harm the outside, be they users, environment or other possible people that come in contact.
  A special topic related to Software Engineering is assuring the security and safety while developing and deploying builds for the secure and safe production environment.
   
• Hardware Engineers design specfic electronic devices or components that meet detailed requirements. 

The Networks and Cloud Services (NETCLOSE) Group is focused on three central pillars of the current technology landscape: cloud computing, computer networks, and resiliency. These interconnected pillars play a crucial role in the modern digital landscape. Cloud computing continues revolutionizing the way businesses and individuals store, access, and process data, ensuring seamless collaboration, data availability, and accessibility. Computer networks are the backbone of the digital world, facilitating the transmission of data and communication between devices and systems. Lastly, resiliency refers to a system's ability to withstand and recover from adverse events, whether they be natural disasters, cyberattacks, or hardware failures. In the digital realm, downtime can be costly, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage.

The NETCLOSE Group provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, experience, and know-how among practitioners, expert and novice alike, in the areas mentioned above. Central to this task is the regular organization of expert talks providing an insight into the state of the art in these technologies and promoting a direct exchange among group members.

The group Green IT supports sustainability and ecology goals with the proper use of IT, especially when operating IT solutions in data centers. Green IT has developed a tool to assess potential for improvement towards these goals in your company. An introduction to the goals and concepts can be found here.