Even in businesses where the focus of action is not technology, the IT area is one of the sectors that demands the most attention and dedication from managers. Due to the advancement of technology, this sector is responsible for the efficient exchange of information, in addition to ensuring the security of data stored by companies. In this sense, efficient IT governance helps the company think about practices, methods and processes that make its activities even more efficient, and help the business achieve all its goals .
However, IT Governance and IT Management are still very confused concepts , and it is necessary to understand how these two factors work in practice. So that we can understand this distinction, we can use as a reference the information provided by one of the most used management tools around the world, COBIT (Control Objectives Information and Related Technology).
Based on the logic of this principle, we can see that the elaboration of a strategic plan differs completely from its execution, that is, we separate idealization from practice. While IT governance is a process that is the responsibility of the executive sectors of a business, IT management is the responsibility of the managers responsible for the sector.
In this way, 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. In this way, we can understand the following obligations 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, building, executing and monitoring the sector's activities, in order to achieve the defined goals. Better understand the role of this professional with this video:
The challenges of implementing efficient IT governance
The main challenges for implementing IT governance lie in the company's organizational culture. This is because the company's culture involves everything from the structuring of projects to the good practices that must be applied during the processes.
To avoid this obstacle, it is important that the company invests in training its employees, as a way of providing more efficient internal communication and implementing changes in a more intelligent way . Some companies prefer to rely on a specialized consultancy service to identify the main problems and overcome these challenges.
One way to determine the main problems in implementing IT governance is through performance indicators. However, it is important to know that, when a problem occurs, the solution does not always lie in changing the process, and it is necessary to investigate possible gaps in understanding and the need for changes in the organizational culture.
To be successful in implementing efficient IT governance, the company needs to have efficient monitoring mechanisms that help increase learning and ensure that processes are continually improved.
Signs that your company needs IT governance
It is very easy to identify the need for an IT governance process within your company. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to some factors such as:
Has your company ever suffered a security breach?
Cybersecurity is much more than the use of software and tools to block cybercriminal attacks . There is no point in having security tools if the company does not adopt a complete approach that allows the protection of your data.
Overconfidence and lack of adequate policy can be extremely harmful. If your company has already suffered some type of security breach , it is a clear sign that it is necessary to implement IT governance within the business.
Your company wants to grow
Expanding a business 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 sector. Due to the growing demand for fast and efficient connections, and safer exchange of actions, it is important to have a more assertive and intelligent management process.
Your company is unable to resolve emergencies
We know that, with the growth of cyber attacks, it is very important that the company has an action plan capable of facing threats and mitigating damage. To guarantee a competitive advantage, it is essential that your business has an action protocol capable of dealing with different types of threats in a sensible and transparent way.
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 allow for differentiated IT management.
These tools help the company have access to more realistic data about processes, in addition to guaranteeing advantages such as:
- Creation of strategies with efficient targeting ;
- Avoid failures;
- Reduce risks;
- Allow 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 used IT governance frameworks around the world . It is based on five central principles, which are:
- 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 the transformation of a business’s goals and objectives into reality. Bringing efficient process management and greater control of information technology in a simplified way, COBIT shows what should be done in the sector.
ITIL
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a complete library with a set of practices for efficient process management. One of the main objectives of this tool is to value efficient process management and quality in the customer experience.
Like COBIT, it is a Framework widely used by companies of different sizes. It consists of five books which are:
- 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.
ITSM
IT information management is a tool that helps in interaction and adds values and benefits between areas of the company . It helps to define a more functional coordination and collaboration structure in order to promote teamwork.
This tool has three basic pillars:
- People;
- Law Suit;
- And tools.
SCRUM
This technique is aimed at companies that need to encourage team collaboration between different tasks, and is used in projects that require the management of several activities at the same time. This tool is based on Sprints, which consist of planning meetings held at specific intervals (generally 1 to 4 weeks).
In each of these sprints, agendas, tasks and objectives are defined that must be achieved for the company to achieve the success of a project. Each sprint features well-defined procedures, forecasting and control.
Step-by-step guide to creating an efficient IT governance implementation plan
As we have seen in other materials on our blog, IT governance, although directly related to the Information Technology sector, can bring many benefits to the company as a whole. By implementing this process, the company optimizes the sector's productivity and brings more security to its data . Its implementation must follow some important steps, such as:
Adoption of security policies
Given the serious consequences that can be caused by theft and leakage of data in the business environment, it is very important that the company knows how to protect itself. Security policies help to establish an appropriate parameter to increase information security.
Use encryption
Adopting encryption is highly recommended to ensure an extra layer of protection for data stored and handled in the 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 seeking to avoid the risks of information leakage and theft.
Have a confidentiality policy
Within a company, managers and employees must be fully aware of the importance of keeping data confidential and complying with 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 guided about the importance of information confidentiality and must be aware of the best practices to ensure data security.
Use technological tools
Many traps on the internet can make a company's data and information vulnerable and cause immense damage to the business. For this reason, it is essential that the business has adequate tools and resources such as Lumiun Box , which allows intelligent and effective access control , reducing the incidence of information leaks, increasing access control and team productivity.
Controlling internet access within your company is much more than just blocking unproductive websites. Access control allows the company to manage its resources more intelligently and keep its employees focused on what is really important for the business strategy.
Risk management
This is another fundamental step for implementing efficient IT governance in your company. In this stage, all vulnerability points that could favor incidents are identified and an analysis is made of all possible solutions to be applied according to specific situations.
This way, the company is able to reduce the impact of unforeseen events and ensure quick management in the event of incidents.
Have result and performance indicators
The smartest way to know whether the implementation of efficient IT governance within your company is in line with expectations is through performance indicators. For this reason, the company needs to know what the objectives are to be achieved and whether the results delivered are in line with expectations.
These indicators help to discover whether the process is being followed according to the established planning, so that your own team can answer important questions, such as: what problems are causing an impact, how can these problems be resolved and what the next project to be started.
Are you looking for a more efficient tool to contribute to efficient IT governance? Get in touch and discover how Lumiun Box can help you!
