{"id":78553,"date":"2023-03-31T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=78553"},"modified":"2024-08-06T09:59:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T13:59:12","slug":"what-is-cobit-control-objectives-information-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/what-is-cobit-control-objectives-information-technology","title":{"rendered":"What Is COBIT (Control Objectives for Information Technology)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Control Objectives for Information Technology (COBIT) is a framework for IT management and governance. It helps IT managers and financial auditors to meet compliance regulations while minimizing risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post provides an overview of COBIT, its governance system properties, the evolution of COBIT, the benefits of implementing COBIT in your company, and how COBIT can integrate with other compliance standards. You\u2019ll also learn more about how you can leverage JumpCloud\u2019s open directory platform to implement COBIT in your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is COBIT?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

COBIT is an IT governance and management framework organizations can use to implement, monitor, and enhance their business processes. ISACA<\/a> initially published COBIT specifications in 1996 as a tool for guiding financial auditors to navigate IT environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ISACA is a global body of professionals that sets and develops IT governance, security, and audit controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1998, ISACA launched a more comprehensive iteration of the framework whose scope extended beyond audit controls. In the 2000s, the professional body released COBIT 3 and COBIT 4 versions, which provided the best management guidelines for cybersecurity. COBIT 5 was released in 2013 to provide a better framework for integrating with other International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-based standards, such as ISO 20000 and IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 19, the latest iteration of the framework, was launched in 2018. This version is a more generic and comprehensive framework that any organization \u2014 regardless of size or immediate goals \u2014 can use to address governance issues in a fast-paced IT environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 5 vs. COBIT 2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

 The COBIT framework has evolved to provide extra features and services when it comes to IT governance system principles. These principles allow organizations to set goals based on priorities and decision-making structures while monitoring performance and compliance against the set objectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s examine the differences between COBIT 5 and COBIT 19<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 5 Governance System Principles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are five basic governance system principles that COBIT 5 defines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting Stakeholder Needs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Organizations exist to generate value for their stakeholders. Whenever making decisions for your organization, for example, you need to consider which stakeholders stand to benefit from such decisions and which ones take the majority of risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covering the Enterprise End to End<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

COBIT\u2019s benefits aren\u2019t confined to IT; you can apply the COBIT 5 framework to the entire enterprise to maximize its value to the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying a Single Integrated Framework<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 5 is an integrated framework that covers all IT governance and management aspects affecting an entire organization\u2019s teams, employees, and departments. You can leverage this integrated approach to identify potential risks and threats to the company and design processes that operate more efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enabling a Holistic Approach<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 5 takes a holistic approach to the management and governance of IT, allowing organizations to achieve their goals through greater collaboration. The intention is to achieve higher productivity and generate more customer value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separating Governance from Management<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 5 differentiates IT governance from management, as these two elements encompass different activities. This distinction aligns the framework with other predefined guidelines, such as ISO 27000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 19 Governance System Principles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 19 extends the framework with a total of six governance system principles, as outlined below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provide Stakeholder Value<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Like \u201cmeeting stakeholder needs\u201d in COBIT 5, this governance system principle allows the framework to create value for stakeholders when implemented. You can leverage this principle to meet the conflicting requirements of different stakeholders by considering the benefits and risks associated with making decisions regarding IT governance and management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holistic Approach<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This principle recognizes that an enterprise governance system is built from many components. A successful enterprise governance system requires these components to work together seamlessly in a holistic manner to achieve the business\u2019s intended goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dynamic Governance System<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The COBIT 19 framework recognizes the need for an enterprise governance system to be dynamic and respond to unexpected challenges. For example, each time you change one or more design factors, such as a change in technology or strategy, you should also consider the impact of these changes on the Enterprise Governance of Information and Technology (EGIT). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governance Distinct From Management<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Like COBIT 5, the COBIT 19 framework isolates IT governance from management because they have various roles, responsibilities, and activities. For example, IT governance evaluates the stakeholder requirements and prioritizes them based on the organization\u2019s objectives. IT management monitors organization activities to ensure that they align with IT governance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tailored to Enterprise Needs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

COBIT 19 requires organizations to tailor their governance systems based on their needs and characteristics. You can use a set of design factors to customize and prioritize various governance system components to adapt to different organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

End-to-End Governance System<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The COBIT 19 framework recognizes the need for an end-to-end enterprise governance system comprising all organization functions, with a strong focus on IT functions. The framework can help achieve consistency and coverage when it comes to managing and governing IT operations within the organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of COBIT Implementation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The COBIT framework can help organizations of all sizes to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n