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IT architects: what's in a name



IT architect is a relatively new profession. Because it's so new, there is little consensus about the names of architects.

Names I found on the Internet are (among others): 

  • Enterprise architect
  • Information architect
  • Software architect
  • Infrastructure architect
  • Security architect
  • Project architect
  • Systems architect
  • Application architect

Of course, no one knows exactly what these people do and what their exact expertise is.

I use the following terminology, that was proposed by the Dutch GIA (Genootschap voor Informatie Architecten) and the SCIA (Society for the Certification of Information Architects):

  • Information architect – This architect uses information as a production factor. These are the people that know what information a company uses, and how to use this information to improve businesses.
  • IT-Business architect – These people are concerned with the alignment of the IT environment which contains information, with the business.
  • IT architect – These people can architect IT infrastructures.

The GIA and the SCIA are working on a so-called BOK, a Body Of Knowledge, with the skills of these architects, so it will be clear to everyone what to expect from a certain architect.



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About Sjaak Laan

Sjaak Laan

I am 45 years old and married with Angelina. We have 3 children of 12, 7 and 5 years old. We live in The Netherlands, in a place called Drachten

I work for Logica as Principal IT Architect. I have 20 years IT experience.

I own the following certificates:

ITAC Master Certified IT Architect

CISSP_logo CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)


TOGAF8_Certified_web TOGAF Certified Architect



I am a member of the:


I manage my business contacts using Linkedin.


I can be reached through sjaak.laan [ a t ] gmail [dot] com.

This site states my opinion only, and not nessecarily the opinion of my employer or of the clients I work for.