In a growing number of companies, information is a key component of the business. It is rare to find a company that isn’t dependent on information or processing information of some sort. To accomplish the task of adequate protection for information resources, the issue must be raised as a board level activity like other critical governance functions. IT Governance is the responsibility of the board of directors and executive management. It must be an integral and transparent part of enterprise governance. It consists of leadership, organisational structures and processes that safe guard information.

IT Governance is the heart of corporate governance. According to a recent survey by CISR, of more than 250 companies, companies with about average IT Governance had on average 20% higher return on assets than companies with poor IT governance. In our effective solution and services, the basic outcomes of effective IT governance includes:

An effective IT Governance framework is an integral part of existing corporate governance and reporting frameworks, which ensure that IT capabilities are understood, managed and are responsive to the demands of the business environment. IT Governance should be fully supported by executive management and deployed throughout the organisation to ensure that:

• IT is aligned with business strategy, goals and objectives, adding value to the business
• Appropriate and effective processes are in place to monitor, manage and report on IT and IT risks
• IT is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations
• The entire organisation understands its IT responsibilities including security and privacy.
• Demands on IT are managed and met in an efficient, cost effective and consistent manner.

• Existing IT quality initiatives are adequately considered, including ISO17799, ITIL, CMMI, COSO and COBIT.

As part of our IT Controls Reviews, we advise on all aspects of this critical function, from the alignment of IT with business strategy, to good management practices. Our team works with management and the IT department to develop and strengthen IT Governance framework. The team has real-world experience supported by theoretical understanding of the governance models that exist today.