The Concept of Standards

Standards are established norms or requirements in the field of technology.
They ensure compatibility, interoperability and safety among software and electronic devices.
Standards can be set by international organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or national bodies like the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Various Types of Standards

Technical standards ensure that hardware and software products can work together.
Procedural standards guide how tasks are performed within the industry.
Ethical standards establish the moral responsibilities of individuals and organisations within the technology industry.
Legal standards are guided by legislation and determine the legal responsibilities of entities in the industry.

Standards ensure that different computer systems and software can interact and function together.
They help in maintaining quality, safety and efficiency of products and processes.
Standards can help in reducing waste and improving environmental sustainability.
They create an environment where innovation can thrive, by providing a basis on which new technologies can be developed.
Standards ensure all manufacturers are on a level playing field, as they all need to comply with the same regulations.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS are standards that govern how information is transferred on the World Wide Web.
Wi-Fi standards (such as 802.11ac or 802.11n) have been created to ensure all wireless network devices operate on the same principles.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard that regulates how computers connect to peripheral devices.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a standard for creating web pages.

Compliance with standards can be costly for smaller businesses as it often requires significant investment in infrastructure and training.
The landscape of technology changes rapidly and it can be difficult for standards to keep up with innovation.
Interpretation of standards can be subject to different interpretations leading to inconsistency.
Compliance requires continuous monitoring and adjustments, which can be time and labour intensive for organisations.