What is COBIT?

These days, nothing works without high-performance, secure, and reliable IT. The greater its role in a company’s processes, the more pressing the question becomes: How professional and up-to-date is the organizational structure and management of this—often highly complex—IT?

This is where COBIT (short for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) comes into play. It is considered the most internationally recognized framework for IT governance and management. COBIT owes its strong reputation in no small part to its origins: The framework, developed by the International Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), is based on concepts from several recognized frameworks, best practices, and standards. These include prominent ones such as COSO, ITIL, PRINCE2, ISO 38500, and ISO 27000.

COBIT focuses primarily on what is required to achieve appropriate governance and efficient IT management, rather than on the “how.” At the same time, the framework views the subject as a whole. It defines IT as much more than the narrowly defined area of a company that deals with the hardware and software used on a daily basis: namely, everything related to information and the technologies associated with it.

COBIT with Clear Objectives 

COBIT 5 defines a total of 37 governance and management objectives, which are expanded to 40 in COBIT 2019. A company should successfully implement these requirements within its organization to ensure that all business processes run smoothly. The framework integrates IT and process objectives with corporate objectives into a unified strategy. It provides metrics and capability assessment models, transparently identifies individual tasks and responsibilities on both the corporate and IT sides, and emphasizes the importance of the “human factor” for the success of all governance and management activities.

With its governance and management objectives, COBIT provides users with guidelines for an internal organizational structure. This enables companies to make progress and continue to develop in several areas at once:

• Effective and innovative use of IT increases its value to the company.
• Reliable and efficient use of technology enables operational excellence.
• IT-related risks are kept at an acceptable level.
• The costs of IT services and technologies can be optimized.
• The ever-increasing legal and regulatory requirements are met.

Purpose and Objectives

COBIT aims to help organizations effectively govern and manage their IT resources in order to achieve business objectives, manage IT risks, comply with relevant laws and regulations, and generate value from their IT investments. It offers a comprehensive approach that addresses both business and IT objectives by bridging the gap between business goals and IT goals.

Structure and Components

COBIT consists of several components that work together to provide comprehensive guidelines for IT governance and management:

• Principles: COBIT is based on a set of principles that are central to IT governance. These principles help organizations design their IT to meet their business needs.

• Processes: The framework defines a set of processes within a structured model that helps organize and monitor the key activities of IT governance and IT management.

• Control Objectives: For each process, there are specific objectives that must be achieved to ensure that IT contributes effectively and efficiently to the achievement of business objectives.

• Maturity Models: COBIT includes maturity models that enable organizations to assess the maturity level of their IT processes and identify areas for improvement.

• Guidelines and Metrics: The framework provides guidelines and metrics for measuring and managing the performance of IT processes.

Versions

COBIT has undergone several versions to keep pace with the changing requirements of IT governance. The latest version, COBIT 2019, builds on previous versions and incorporates new insights and practices that address current trends and challenges in the field of IT governance. COBIT 2019 offers a more flexible approach and enables organizations to adapt the framework to their specific needs and contexts.

Application

COBIT is used worldwide by companies of all sizes and across all industries to establish effective IT governance. It is particularly valued in sectors where clear IT structures and controls are critical, such as financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies.

In summary, COBIT is an essential framework for organizations that want to optimize their IT governance and the management of their IT resources in order to achieve their business objectives more effectively and maximize the value of their IT investments.

Training and Certifications

ISACA offers various training and certification programs for COBIT, designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply and utilize COBIT within their organizations. These programs are designed for a range of roles and experience levels, from those new to IT governance to experienced professionals. Here are some of the key qualifications and certifications offered in connection with COBIT:

COBIT 2019 Foundation

• Target audience: Beginners and others interested in gaining a basic understanding of COBIT 2019 and its application.
• Content: The fundamentals of COBIT 2019, including its principles, governance framework components, and performance management. Participants will learn how COBIT can be applied in their organization to improve IT governance and management.

COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation

• Target audience: Individuals who already have a basic understanding of COBIT and would like to learn how to design and implement a customized governance system for their organization.
• Content: In-depth insights into the planning, implementation, and optimization of a governance system based on COBIT 2019. This course focuses on how to adapt COBIT 2019 practices to specific business objectives and priorities.

COBIT 2019 Bridge

• Target audience: Professionals who already hold COBIT 5 certification and wish to update their knowledge to the latest version, COBIT 2019.
• Content: An overview of the changes and new features in COBIT 2019 compared to COBIT 5. This course helps participants quickly become familiar with the new concepts and tools.

Specialized Courses and Workshops

In addition to these certification courses, ISACA also offers specialized courses and workshops that focus on specific aspects of COBIT or on the application of COBIT in specific industries or technology areas. These offerings vary depending on needs and interests and may cover topics such as risk management, information security, and compliance using COBIT principles.

ISACA Membership and Other Resources

As ISACA members, professionals have access to a wide range of resources, including industry research, white papers, and case studies, which can further deepen their understanding and practical application of COBIT. ISACA also offers forums and conferences that provide valuable networking and learning opportunities.

These training and certification programs are designed to expand the skills of IT and business professionals so that they can effectively apply the principles and practices of COBIT to improve IT governance and IT management within their organizations. Specific course content, prerequisites, and certification requirements may vary by program; therefore, it is recommended to check the current details and offerings directly on the ISACA website or with authorized training partners.

About the COBIT 2019 Training Courses