Even in businesses where technology isn't the main focus, IT is one of the sectors that demands the most attention and dedication from managers. Due to technological advancements, this sector is responsible for the efficient exchange of information, in addition to ensuring the security of data stored by companies. In this sense, effective IT governance helps companies devise practices, methods, and processes that make their activities even more efficient and help the business achieve all its goals .
However, IT Governance and IT Management are still often confused concepts , and it's important to understand how these two factors work in practice. To understand this distinction, we can use as a reference the information provided by one of the most widely used management tools worldwide, COBIT (Control Objectives Information and Related Technology).
Based on the logic of this principle, we can see that developing a strategic plan is completely different from executing it—that is, we separate idealization from practice. While IT governance is a process under the responsibility of a business's executive departments, IT management is the responsibility of the managers responsible for the department.
Thus, we can understand IT governance as the strategic part of developing goals for the IT area , while management is responsible for executing the tasks and activities that help achieve these objectives. Thus, we can understand the following as the main responsibilities of IT governance:
- Determine and evaluate the sector's objectives;
- Monitor performance and compliance with standards;
- Bring greater prioritization of the paths necessary for more assertive decision-making;
- Ensure that all stakeholder needs and conditions are duly observed.
IT management is responsible for planning, developing, executing, and monitoring the department's activities to achieve defined goals. Learn more about this professional's role in this video:
The challenges of implementing efficient IT governance
The main challenges to implementing IT governance lie in the company's organizational culture. This is because corporate culture encompasses everything from project structuring to the best practices that should be applied throughout the processes.
To overcome this obstacle, companies must invest in employee training to ensure more efficient internal communication and smarter change implementation . Some companies prefer to rely on specialized consulting services to identify key issues and overcome these challenges.
One way to determine the main challenges of implementing IT governance is through performance indicators. However, it's important to understand that when a problem arises, the solution isn't always to change the process. It's necessary to investigate potential gaps in understanding and the need for changes in organizational culture.
To successfully implement effective IT governance, a company needs to have effective monitoring mechanisms in place that help increase learning and ensure continuous process improvement.
Signs that your company needs IT governance
It's easy to identify the need for an IT governance process within your company. Therefore, it's important to pay attention to factors such as:
Has your company ever suffered a security breach?
Cybersecurity is much more than using software and tools to block cybercriminal attacks . Having security tools is pointless if the company doesn't adopt a comprehensive approach to protecting its data.
Overconfidence and a lack of proper policy can be extremely damaging. If your company has ever suffered a security breach , it's a clear sign that implementing IT governance is necessary.
Your company wants to grow
Business expansion requires much more than just a larger space. All management policies within the company need to adapt to this new stage of growth, and this includes its IT department. Due to the growing demand for fast and efficient connections and a shift toward more secure actions, it's crucial to have a more assertive and intelligent management process.
Your company cannot resolve emergencies
We know that, with the rise of cyberattacks, it's crucial for companies to have an action plan capable of confronting threats and mitigating damage. To ensure a competitive edge, it's essential that your business has an action protocol capable of dealing with various types of threats sensibly and transparently.
What tools are essential for IT governance?
Also known as frameworks, the tools used in IT governance consist of a set of procedures, methods, and practices that enable differentiated IT management.
These tools help companies access more realistic data about their processes, as well as providing benefits such as:
- Creation of strategies with efficient targeting ;
- Avoid failures;
- Reduce risks;
- Enable more efficient collaboration between employees;
- Deliver guidelines and action plans for greater efficiency.
Among the main tools used for IT governance today, we can mention:
COBIT
COBIT – Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies, is one of the most widely used IT governance frameworks worldwide . It is based on five core principles:
- Evaluate, direct and monitor;
- Align, plan and organize;
- Build, acquire and implement;
- Deliver services and support;
- Monitor, evaluate.
The main focus of this tool is to transform a business's goals and objectives into reality. Providing efficient process management and greater control over information technology in a simplified manner, COBIT demonstrates what should be done in the sector.
ITIL
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a comprehensive library with a set of practices for efficient process management. One of the main objectives of this tool is to prioritize efficient process management and a high-quality customer experience.
Like COBIT, it's a framework widely used by companies of all sizes. It consists of five books:
- Service strategies;
- Service design;
- Service transition;
- Service operation;
- Continuous service improvement.
By bringing more flexibility, it can provide a more functional infrastructure for the company.
GSTI
IT Information Management is a tool that facilitates interaction and adds value and benefits across company departments . It helps define a more functional coordination and collaboration structure to foster teamwork.
This tool has three basic pillars:
- People;
- Processes;
- And tools.
SCRUM
This technique is designed for companies that need to foster team collaboration across multiple tasks and is used in projects that require the management of multiple activities simultaneously. This tool is based on Sprints, which consist of planning meetings held at specific intervals (usually 1 to 4 weeks).
Each sprint defines the agenda, tasks, and objectives that must be met for the company to achieve project success. Each sprint features well-defined procedures, forecasting, and control.
Step-by-step guide to creating an effective IT governance implementation plan
As we've seen in other articles on our blog, IT governance, while directly related to the Information Technology sector, can bring many benefits to the company as a whole. By implementing this process, the company optimizes productivity and improves data security . Its implementation must follow some important steps, such as:
Adoption of security policies
Given the serious consequences that data theft and leaks can cause in the corporate environment, it's crucial that companies know how to protect themselves. Security policies help establish appropriate parameters for increasing information security.
Use encryption
Adopting encryption is highly recommended to ensure an extra layer of protection for data stored and handled within your business. It consists of a set of techniques that make data unreadable to unauthorized users.
Encryption is one of the most recommended methods for companies looking to avoid the risks of information leaks and theft.
Have a confidentiality policy
Within a company, managers and employees must be fully aware of the importance of keeping data confidential and adhering to a pre-established security policy. Creating a confidentiality policy is essential to ensure that all users understand the importance of this and comply with the established rules.
Employees need to be educated on the importance of information confidentiality and be aware of best practices to ensure data security.
Use technological tools
Many online traps can make a company's data and information vulnerable, causing immense damage to the business. Therefore, it's essential that businesses have the right tools and resources, such as Lumiun Box , which enables intelligent and effective access control , reduces the incidence of information leaks, increases access control, and increases team productivity.
Controlling internet access within your company involves much more than simply blocking unproductive websites. Access control allows your company to manage its resources more intelligently and keep your employees focused on what's truly important to your business strategy.
Risk management
This is another fundamental step in implementing effective IT governance in your company. This stage identifies all vulnerabilities that could lead to incidents , and analyzes all possible solutions to be applied based on specific situations.
This way, the company can reduce the impact of unforeseen events and ensure rapid management in the event of incidents.
Count on results and performance indicators
The smartest way to determine whether your company's efficient IT governance implementation is meeting expectations is through performance indicators. Therefore, the company needs to know what the objectives are and whether the results delivered are in line with expectations.
These indicators help determine whether the process is being followed according to the established plan, so that your own team can answer important questions, such as: what problems are causing an impact, how these problems can be solved, and what project to start next.
Looking for a more efficient tool to contribute to effective IT governance? Contact us and find out how Lumiun Box can help you!
