Isaca CGEIT Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT Exam Exam Practice Test

The success of an enterprise’s IT governance framework is ultimately measured by the extent to which it enables the achievement of enterprise goals and objectives. One of the key aspects of IT governance is ensuring that IT investments are aligned with business needs and deliver value to the enterprise. Therefore, a high percentage of IT investments delivering expected benefits indicates that the IT governance framework is effective and successful. References :=

• CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.1: Introduction to GEIT, Subsection 1.1.2: Benefits of GEIT, Page 9
• CGEIT Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.1: Introduction to GEIT, Subsection 1.1.2: Benefits of GEIT, Page 9
• Developing an effective IT governance framework - Wavestone1

This is a barrier to strategic alignment of business and IT, as it creates inconsistency and fragmentation in the IT governance process across the enterprise. Strategic alignment of business and IT is the degree of fit and integration among business strategy, IT strategy, business infrastructure, and IT infrastructure1. It helps to ensure that IT supports and enables the achievement of the enterprise’s goals and objectives, and delivers value to the stakeholders1. To achieve strategic alignment, an enterprise needs to have a coherent and coordinated IT governance process that aligns IT with business goals, optimizes IT investments and resources, manages IT risks and opportunities, and measures IT performance and benefits1. However, if each business unit has its own steering committee for IT investment and prioritization, this may result in conflicting or competing IT priorities, duplication or waste of IT resources, lack of communication or collaboration among IT stakeholders, or misalignment of IT services and capabilities with business needs and expectations1. Therefore, each business unit having its own steering committee for IT investment and prioritization is a barrier to strategic alignment of business and IT.

The other options are not barriers to strategic alignment of business and IT, as they are possible enablers or indicators of strategic alignment. Uniform portfolio management is the process of selecting, prioritizing, balancing, and monitoring the IT investments and initiatives that support the enterprise’s strategic objectives and deliver value to the stakeholders2. Uniform portfolio management can help to align IT with business goals, optimize resource allocation, manage risks and dependencies, and measure performance and benefits2. IT being the exclusive provider of IT services to the business units can help to ensure that the IT services are consistent, reliable, secure, and compliant with the enterprise’s standards and policies3. The enterprise’s CIO being a member of the executive committee can help to demonstrate the strategic importance and contribution of IT to the enterprise’s success, as well as facilitate the communication and collaboration between IT and business leaders4.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are metrics that help measure the performance of IT service delivery and align it with the business goals and stakeholder expectations. KPIs can help the IT governance committee to monitor, evaluate and improve the availability, quality and efficiency of the web-facing infrastructure. KPIs can also help identify and address any issues or risks that may affect the service level agreements (SLAs) or customer satisfaction. KPIs should be established before implementing other measures such as web operations procedures, business continuity plans (BCPs) or customer survey processes, as they provide the basis for setting objectives, targets and benchmarks for these measures. References: ISACA, Performance Measurement Metrics for IT Governance, page 11. datapine, Top 20 IT KPIs - Explore The Best IT KPI Examples & IT Metrics

According to the CGEIT exam guide, the IT strategy committee should ensure that the IT strategic plan is aligned with the business needs and goals of the enterprise. Therefore, before initiating the development of an IT strategic plan, the committee members should be apprised of the business needs and understand the expectations and requirements of the stakeholders. References: CGEIT Exam Candidate Guide, page 13. CGEIT Certification

 This should be the first thing that executive leadership does to address the concern of quality issues in their software products, as it helps to identify and understand the underlying factors and causes that led to the quality problems1. A root cause analysis is a systematic process of investigating a problem or incident by asking a series of questions, such as why, how, what, where, and when, until the root cause or causes are found1. By requiring a root cause analysis and reviewing the results, executive leadership can gain insight into the nature and extent of the quality issues, as well as their impact on the market reputation and customer satisfaction ratings. They can also use the results to devise and implement corrective and preventive actions to resolve the quality issues and prevent them from recurring1.

The other options are not as important or effective as requiring a root cause analysis and reviewing the results, as they are either specific solutions or outcomes of the root cause analysis, but not comprehensive steps. Allocating budget to hire more software and quality assurance specialists may help to improve the software development and testing process, but it may not address the root cause or causes of the quality issues, which could be related to other factors, such as requirements, design, tools, methods, or culture2. Implementing a software development life cycle (SDLC) framework may help to standardize and optimize the software development process, but it may not address the root cause or causes of the quality issues, which could be related to other factors, such as communication, collaboration, feedback, or training3. Mandating more robust software testing prior to release may help to detect and fix more defects before launching the software products, but it may not address the root cause or causes of the quality issues, which could be related to other factors, such as scope creep, change management, or quality assurance

The most significant challenge faced by an enterprise when establishing information stewardship is the lack of role clarity and specific responsibilities, as this can lead to confusion, duplication, inconsistency, or omission of tasks and activities related to information governance. Information stewardship is the role of providing day-to-day operational support using data, such as defining and implementing data policies, standards, and procedures; monitoring and reporting on data compliance and performance; and collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure data quality, integrity, and security1. Information stewardship requires clear and consistent definition of the scope, objectives, and expectations of the role, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the information stewards and their relationship with other data owners, users, or scientists1. Without role clarity and specific responsibilities, information stewardship may not be effective or efficient in achieving the desired outcomes or benefits of information governance.

Lack of documented policies and procedures, information requirements of regulatory authorities, and insufficient knowledge of IT practices and controls are also challenges faced by an enterprise when establishing information stewardship, but they are not the most significant challenge. Lack of documented policies and procedures is a challenge that can affect the standardization and improvement of information governance processes and activities, as well as the communication and enforcement of data rules and expectations. Information requirements of regulatory authorities are a challenge that can affect the compliance and accountability of information governance, as well as the protection and privacy of data. Insufficient knowledge of IT practices and controls is a challenge that can affect the technical skills and capabilities of information stewards, as well as their ability to use or integrate data systems or tools.

References := What is an Information Steward? | Informatica; What is an Information Steward, and Why You Should Care; What is an Information Steward, and Why You Should Care?.

 An IT balanced scorecard (BSC) is a framework that measures and manages the performance and value of IT in relation to the enterprise’s strategy, goals, and objectives. An IT BSC provides the most comprehensive insight into the effectiveness of IT, because it covers four perspectives that reflect the key aspects of IT: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. For each perspective, an IT BSC defines objectives, measures, targets, and initiatives that align with the enterprise’s vision and mission. An IT BSC also helps to balance the short-term and long-term outcomes of IT, as well as the leading and lagging indicators of IT performance. According to ISACA’s article on The IT Balanced Scorecard1, “the IT BSC is a powerful tool for demonstrating the contribution of IT to the business, communicating IT performance in business terms, and aligning IT with business strategy.” Furthermore, according to ISACA’s CGEIT Domain 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT2, “the IT BSC is a widely used framework for measuring and managing the performance of IT resources in relation to enterprise goals.” Therefore, an IT BSC is the best way to provide a comprehensive insight into the effectiveness of IT.

 As this is the first step to understand the scope, objectives, and expectations of the new direction, as well as to align the IT project portfolio with the business needs and priorities. Asking business stakeholders to discuss their vision can also help identify and address any gaps or issues in the current IT project portfolio, as well as to communicate and collaborate effectively with the business units.

Canceling projects with a net present value (NPV) below a defined threshold, conducting a risk assessment against the potential new services, and starting re-allocating budget to projects involving mobile or cloud are possible actions to take after asking business stakeholders to discuss their vision, but they are not the first step. Canceling projects with a low NPV may help free up some funds for the new direction, but it may also affect the existing or planned benefits or outcomes of those projects. Conducting a risk assessment can help evaluate the feasibility and impact of the new services, as well as identify and mitigate any threats or uncertainties. Starting re-allocating budget can help support and enable the new services, but it may also disrupt or compromise the current or ongoing projects. These actions should be based on a clear and shared understanding of the new strategy and its implications for the IT project portfolio.

 According to the CGEIT exam guide, the success of IT investments is measured by the extent to which they deliver the expected benefits to the enterprise and its stakeholders. Therefore, the percentage of IT investments that meet expected benefits is the best metric to indicate the success of IT investments. This metric reflects the alignment of IT with business objectives and strategies, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of IT processes and services. The other metrics are not directly related to the success of IT investments, but rather to the management and governance of IT. References: CGEIT Exam Candidate Guide, page 13. CGEIT Certification, Performance Measurement Metrics for IT Governance

 A SWOT analysis is a technique that analyzes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of an organization or a project. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors that can be controlled or influenced by the organization, while opportunities and threats are external factors that are influenced by the environment, market, or competitors1. Therefore, to identify opportunities and threats, it is most helpful to conduct a competitor analysis, which is a process of researching and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the competitors in the same industry or market2. A competitor analysis can help to identify the gaps, trends, and best practices in the market, and to discover potential areas for improvement, innovation, or differentiation2. According to ISACA’s CGEIT Domain 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT3, “the enterprise should analyze its external environment to identify opportunities and threats that may affect its ability to achieve its strategic objectives.” Furthermore, according to ISACA’s article on IT Strategy, “a competitor analysis can help to understand how the enterprise compares with its peers in terms of IT capabilities, performance, and value.” Therefore, a competitor analysis is the best way to identify opportunities and threats as part of IT strategy development.

Total cost of ownership (TCO) is the purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation over its lifespan1. TCO includes hardware and software acquisition, management and support, communications, end-user expenses and the opportunity cost of downtime, training and other productivity losses2. By considering TCO in investment decisions, an enterprise can avoid unexpected costs and optimize the value of its IT assets3. A policy to consider TCO in investment decisions can help the enterprise to plan ahead for the lease or purchase of IT infrastructure and software licenses, and avoid cost overruns due to lease extensions or other factors. References :=

• CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Value Optimization, Section 4.2: IT Value Delivery, Subsection 4.2.3: IT Resource Management, Page 123
• CGEIT Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 4: Value Optimization, Section 4.2: IT Value Delivery, Subsection 4.2.3: IT Resource Management, Page 123
• How to Calculate Total Cost of Ownership for Software - GetApp4
• Total Cost of Ownership: How It’s Calculated With Example - Investopedia1

 The requirements for security and privacy of information should be defined when issuing RFPs to ensure that potential vendors can meet the enterprise’s expectations and comply with relevant regulations. This will also help the enterprise to evaluate and compare the proposals based on the predefined criteria. References: CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version) or CGEIT Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.2: IT Investment Management, Subsection 3.2.2: IT Investment Selection, Page 97-98.

According to the CGEIT exam guide, ERM is the process of identifying, assessing, responding to and monitoring enterprise risks in alignment with the enterprise’s risk appetite and tolerance. ERM helps to ensure that the enterprise achieves its objectives and creates value for its stakeholders. To apply ERM practices consistently, IT staff need to have a common understanding of the ERM framework, principles, processes and tools that are used by the enterprise. Therefore, the most effective corrective action for an assessment that reveals inconsistent ERM practices by IT staff is to require ERM orientation sessions. These sessions can help to educate and train IT staff on the ERM concepts, terminology, roles and responsibilities, and best practices that are relevant to their work. The other options are not as effective as ERM orientation sessions, as they do not address the root cause of the inconsistency, which is the lack of ERM knowledge and awareness among IT staff. References: CGEIT Exam Candidate Guide, page 15. CGEIT Certification, Enterprise-risk-management practices: Where’s the evidence?

The IT investment process is a systematic approach to selecting, managing, and evaluating information technology investments that align with the enterprise’s strategic goals and objectives. The first step in the IT investment process is to select IT projects that will best support the enterprise’s mission, vision, and values. This involves identifying the business needs, problems, or opportunities that IT can address, and prioritizing them based on their alignment with the enterprise’s strategy, performance, and risk management. This step also involves defining the scope, objectives, and expected outcomes of each IT project, and establishing criteria for measuring its success and value. Selecting IT projects that will best support the enterprise’s mission helps ensure that IT investments are relevant, effective, and efficient for the enterprise.

Internal audit is an independent and objective function that provides assurance and consulting services to the enterprise on the effectiveness and efficiency of its governance, risk management, and control processes1. By including internal audit as a stakeholder, the enterprise can benefit from its knowledge, expertise, and perspective on IT-related issues and risks, such as IT strategy alignment, IT performance measurement, IT value delivery, IT resource management, IT risk management, and IT compliance2. Internal audit can also provide input on the design, implementation, and evaluation of the IT governance framework, policies, standards, and procedures, as well as recommend improvements and best practices2. Therefore, internal audit provides input on relevant issues and control processes, which is the most important reason to include it as a stakeholder when establishing clear roles for the governance of IT.

The other options are not as important or accurate as option D. Internal audit does not have knowledge and technical expertise to advise on IT infrastructure, as this is not its primary role or responsibility. Internal audit is not accountable for the overall enterprise governance of IT, as this is the responsibility of the board of directors and senior management3. Internal audit does not implement controls over IT risks and security, as this is the responsibility of the IT function and other business units4.

The best way for an IT governance board to establish standards of behavior for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is to direct the creation and approval of an ethical use policy. An ethical use policy is a document that defines the principles, values, and guidelines for the responsible and ethical design, development, and deployment of AI systems and applications within the enterprise. An ethical use policy can help to ensure that AI is aligned with the enterprise’s mission, vision, goals, and values, and that it respects the rights, dignity, and interests of all stakeholders, including customers, employees, partners, regulators, and society at large. An ethical use policy can also help to address the potential risks, challenges, and impacts of AI on various aspects such as privacy, security, fairness, accountability, transparency, trustworthiness, human dignity, human agency, social good, etc. According to ISACA’s article on Developing an Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework1, “an ethical use policy is essential for any enterprise that wants to adopt AI in a responsible and sustainable manner. An ethical use policy can help to establish trust and confidence in AI among the stakeholders and customers, and to avoid or mitigate any negative consequences or harms that may arise from AI.” Furthermore, according to ISACA’s article on Governance of Responsible AI: From Ethical Guidelines to Legal Frameworks2, “an ethical use policy can provide a common framework and language for the governance of AI across different domains, sectors, and regions. An ethical use policy can also facilitate the compliance with existing laws and regulations that may apply to AI.” Therefore, directing the creation and approval of an ethical use policy is the best way for an IT governance board to establish standards of behavior for the adoption of AI.

Data conversion is the process of transforming data from one format or system to another. It is a critical activity in any data migration or integration project, as it affects the quality, accuracy, and usability of the data. Therefore, IT governance should mandate that data conversion has documented approvals from business process data owners, who are the stakeholders responsible for defining and maintaining the data requirements, standards, and quality for their respective business processes. This ensures that the data conversion meets the business needs and expectations, as well as complies with the relevant policies and regulations. References:

• CGEIT Review Manual 2021, Chapter 4: Resource Optimization, Section 4.2: Data Management, page 1651
• CGEIT Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2021, Question 10, page 252
• Data Conversion: Definition, Best Practices, and Examples3
• Data Governance Roles and Responsibilities4

According to the web search results, a request for proposal (RFP) is a formal document that solicits proposals from potential vendors for a product or service. The RFP process is intended to ensure a fair, transparent and objective selection of the best vendor that meets the requirements and expectations of the project sponsor and the enterprise. The RFP process typically involves the following steps1:

• Planning and preparation: Define the scope, objectives, budget, timeline and evaluation criteria of the project. Identify the stakeholders and decision makers involved in the RFP process. Research the market and potential vendors. Develop the RFP document that outlines the project details, requirements, expectations and instructions for the vendors.
• Issuing and advertising: Distribute the RFP document to the potential vendors, either directly or through public channels. Provide a deadline for submitting proposals and a contact person for inquiries. Advertise the RFP opportunity to attract more qualified vendors.
• Receiving and reviewing: Receive the proposals from the vendors by the deadline. Review and evaluate the proposals based on the predefined criteria, such as technical capabilities, experience, references, pricing, etc. Shortlist the most suitable vendors for further consideration.
• Negotiating and awarding: Conduct negotiations with the shortlisted vendors to clarify any questions, concerns or issues. Discuss the terms and conditions of the contract, such as scope, deliverables, schedule, payment, etc. Select the best vendor that offers the most value and benefit to the project and the enterprise. Award the contract to the chosen vendor and notify the other vendors of the decision.
• Managing and monitoring: Manage and monitor the performance and progress of the vendor throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure that the vendor meets the contractual obligations and delivers quality results on time and within budget. Provide feedback and support to the vendor as needed. Resolve any conflicts or disputes that may arise.

A project sponsor who circumvents the RFP selection process violates the established policies and procedures of the enterprise, as well as undermines the integrity and credibility of the RFP process. The most likely reason for this control gap is a lack of accountability for policy adherence, which means that there is no clear assignment of roles and responsibilities for following and enforcing the policies, or no effective mechanisms for monitoring and reporting policy compliance, or no adequate consequences for policy violations. A lack of accountability for policy adherence can lead to poor governance, increased risk, reduced value and damaged reputation for both the project sponsor and the enterprise23. Therefore, it is essential to establish and maintain a strong culture of accountability for policy adherence within the enterprise, as well as to implement appropriate controls and measures to ensure compliance with policies. References: The RFP process: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide, Criteria and Methodology for GRC Platform Selection, The Ultimate RFP Guide: Steps, Guidelines & Template, Guidebook: Crafting a Driven Request for Proposals (RFP)

After defining the ethical standards for an ethics program, the next step for the enterprise should be to establish a training and awareness program focused on ethics. A training and awareness program can help to communicate the ethical standards to all employees and stakeholders, and educate them on the importance, benefits, and expectations of ethical behavior. A training and awareness program can also help to foster a culture of ethics within the enterprise, and encourage employees to apply the ethical standards in their daily work and decision making. According to ISACA’s article on Ethics in IT1, “training is essential to ensure that all staff understand what is expected of them and how to apply ethical principles in their work.” Furthermore, according to ISACA’s CGEIT Domain 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT2, “training and awareness are key enablers for embedding an appropriate culture throughout the enterprise.” Therefore, establishing a training and awareness program focused on ethics is the best way to implement the ethical standards defined by the enterprise.

The IT strategy is the document that defines how IT will be used to support and achieve the business objectives of the organization. It aligns the IT investments, resources, and activities with the business priorities and direction. When there is a change in the business objectives, such as a re-prioritization by management, the IT strategy should be updated accordingly to ensure that IT remains relevant and aligned with the new business goals. Updating the IT strategy should be done first before allocating resources to IT processes, because it provides the basis for determining which IT processes are most critical and valuable for the organization. The other options are not the best actions to perform first in this scenario. Performing a maturity assessment, implementing a RACI model, and refining the human resource management plan are all useful activities for improving the IT processes, but they are not directly related to the change in business objectives. They should be done after updating the IT strategy, based on the new strategic direction and priorities. References:

• 1: https://www.projectpractical.com/human-resource-management-plan-template-free-download/
• 2: https://open.lib.umn.edu/humanresourcemanagement/chapter/2-2-writing-the-hrm-plan/
• 3: https://www.isixsigma.com/getting-started/are-you-ready-how-conduct-maturity-assessment/
• 4: https://www.smartsheet.com/content/organizational-maturity
• 5: https://www.process.st/maturity-model/

Portfolio management is the most useful technique for prioritizing IT improvement initiatives to achieve desired business outcomes. Portfolio management is the process of selecting, prioritizing, balancing, and monitoring the IT investments and initiatives that support the enterprise’s strategic objectives and deliver value to the stakeholders1. Portfolio management helps to align IT with business goals, optimize resource allocation, manage risks and dependencies, and measure performance and benefits1. By applying portfolio management, an enterprise can ensure that the IT improvement initiatives are consistent with its vision, mission, values, and priorities, and that they contribute to the desired business outcomes1. References: CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version) or CGEIT Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.1: IT Portfolio Management, Page 83-84. What is IT portfolio management? A framework for aligning technology and business.

The best way to facilitate the successful adoption of a new technology across the enterprise is to ensure the use of a business case, because this would help to justify the need, benefits, and value of the new technology, and to gain the support and commitment of the stakeholders. A business case should include the objectives, scope, requirements, costs, risks, and expected outcomes of the new technology, and how it aligns with the enterprise’s vision, mission, goals, and strategy12. A business case should also provide a clear roadmap and plan for implementing and managing the new technology, and for measuring and evaluating its performance and impact12.

According to the ISACA paper on IT Governance Reporting1, the most important information to include in IT governance reporting to the board of directors is the critical risks that IT faces or poses to the enterprise. Critical risks are those that have a high likelihood and impact, and that could threaten the achievement of the enterprise’s strategy, objectives and goals. Critical risks could include cyberattacks, data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, IT project failures, IT service disruptions, IT resource shortages, etc. The board of directors should be aware of the critical risks, as well as the actions taken or planned to mitigate them. The other options are not as important as critical risks, as they are more related to the operational or tactical aspects of IT, rather than the strategic or governance aspects.

The most important course of action for IT senior management to improve IT governance within the organization is to understand the driver that led to a desire to change. IT governance is the process of ensuring that IT supports and enables the achievement of the enterprise’s goals and objectives, and delivers value to the stakeholders1. IT governance is influenced by various internal and external factors, such as business strategy, customer expectations, regulatory requirements, industry standards, best practices, and emerging technologies1. Therefore, before initiating any improvement initiatives, IT senior management should first identify and analyze the driver that prompted the board of directors to request a change in IT governance. This will help them to understand the current situation, the desired state, the gap between them, and the rationale and urgency for improvement2. By understanding the driver that led to a desire to change, IT senior management can also align their improvement efforts with the board’s vision and expectations, communicate the benefits and challenges of change, and gain their support and commitment2. References: CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version) or CGEIT Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.1: IT Governance Frameworks and Principles, Page 9-10. What is CGEIT? A certification for seasoned IT governance professionals.

The first step to strengthen and enforce current data governance practices after a data leakage incident is to verify data owners. Data owners are the individuals or groups who have the authority and responsibility to define, classify, protect, and manage the data assets of an enterprise1. By verifying data owners, the enterprise can ensure that the data is properly accounted for, categorized, and secured according to its value, sensitivity, and risk. Data owners can also establish data policies, standards, and procedures, as well as monitor and report on data quality, usage, and compliance1. Verifying data owners is a prerequisite for assessing data security controls, reviewing data logs, and analyzing data quality, as these activities depend on the accurate identification and assignment of data ownership roles and responsibilities. References: CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version) or CGEIT Review Manual (Print Version), Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.2: IT Risk Management Process, Subsection 4.2.1: IT Risk Identification, Page 163-164. Top 10 Effective Data Governance Tools.

The best approach to help ensure future service delivery in accordance with business objectives is to implement contract monitoring, because this would enable the enterprise to measure and evaluate the performance and compliance of the third-party IT suppliers, and identify and resolve any issues or gaps that may affect the service quality, availability, and reliability. Contract monitoring should involve defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), service level agreements (SLAs), and contractual obligations, and applying corrective actions or penalties when necessary12. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 67-68.

Discretionary investments are those that are not mandatory or essential for the business, but may provide some benefits or opportunities. The IT strategy committee should evaluate whether the discretionary investment supports the corporate goals and aligns with the business strategy, as this is the most important criterion for IT governance and value creation. The technical feasibility, the business and technical scope, and the alignment with the EA are also important factors, but they are secondary to the strategic alignment and value proposition of the investment. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, p. 92-93; Rethinking traditional technology budgeting processes; Discretionary Investment Management Definition, Benefits & Risks.

A business continuity plan (BCP) is the most important element for IT governance to have in place to ensure the enterprise can maintain operations during extensive system downtime. A BCP consists of the processes and procedures an organization needs to ensure its critical business processes continue operating during a disaster1. A BCP should include methods to ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical IT services, identify the resources needed, and outline manual workarounds. It should also contain policies, standards, procedures, and tools for responding to and preventing major incidents, as well as the IT architecture of the organization2. A BCP should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed.

References := Business continuity planning (BCP) - Learning Center, IT Business Continuity | DisasterRecovery.org, IT Governance Blog: free business continuity plan template

IT maturity models measure the capabilities of an IT organization, which means the ability to perform certain activities or tasks effectively and efficiently. IT maturity models assess the current state of the IT organization in terms of people, processes, and technology, and compare it with the desired or optimal state. IT maturity models also help to identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement, and to prioritize and plan the actions to achieve higher levels of maturity. IT maturity models can be used for various purposes, such as benchmarking, strategic planning, performance management, risk management, and quality assurance. References: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA1, CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Use an IT maturity model - IBM Garage Practices1, IT Maturity Models, Scorecards & Assessments | Smartsheet2

Key risk indicators (KRIs) are metrics that measure the likelihood and impact of potential or actual risks. KRIs related to legal and regulatory compliance are designed to help the enterprise monitor and manage the risk of violating laws, regulations, standards, or ethical practices that apply to its operating environment. The primary governance objective for selecting KRIs related to legal and regulatory compliance should be to identify the risk of noncompliance, which means assessing the probability and severity of compliance breaches, as well as the root causes and consequences of such breaches. By identifying the risk of noncompliance, the enterprise can take proactive measures to prevent, mitigate, or remediate compliance issues, and to ensure that its compliance program is effective, efficient, and aligned with its business objectives and strategies. References: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA1, CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Compliance Metrics and KPIs For Measuring Compliance Effectiveness — RiskOptics2, 11 Key Compliance KPIs + Examples (& Why You Should Track Them …3

 The best method to confirm whether a pilot project was successful is to assess the results of the pilot project against the expected performance outcomes. A pilot project is a small-scale experiment that tests the feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability of a new idea, process, product, or service before implementing it on a larger scale12. The purpose of a pilot project is to validate the assumptions, identify the risks and issues, and measure the benefits and costs of the proposed solution12. Therefore, to determine the success of a pilot project, it is essential to compare the actual results with the expected outcomes that were defined at the beginning of the pilot project12. These outcomes should be based on specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) criteria that reflect the objectives and value proposition of the solution12. By assessing the results of the pilot project against the expected performance outcomes, an enterprise can evaluate whether the pilot project met its goals, delivered value to the stakeholders, and proved its viability for scaling up

 The first step to address the issue of complaints from business executives regarding the amount their units are being charged for IT services should be to quantify consumption and service level agreement (SLA) achievements per business unit. This will help the CIO to understand the actual usage and performance of IT services by each business unit, as well as to justify and communicate the chargeback rates based on the value and quality of IT services delivered. Quantifying consumption and SLA achievements can also help identify and address any inefficiencies, discrepancies, or gaps in IT service delivery or chargeback methods.

Agreeing to reduce charge rates and improve relationship management with the business, looking into outsourcing of support functions to drive down the cost structure, and asking the CFO about budget revisions for the business units’ IT expenditures are possible steps to take after quantifying consumption and SLA achievements, but they are not the first step. Agreeing to reduce charge rates without understanding the underlying causes of the complaints may result in underfunding or underpricing of IT services, which may affect their quality and sustainability. Improving relationship management with the business is important, but it should be based on transparent and accurate information about IT service consumption and chargeback. Looking into outsourcing of support functions may reduce the cost structure, but it may also introduce new risks and challenges for IT governance and management. Asking the CFO about budget revisions may help align IT expenditures with business priorities, but it may not address the root causes of the dissatisfaction with IT chargeback.

References := IT Chargeback Drives Efficiency - Uptime Institute Blog; What is IT governance? A formal way to align IT & business strategy; Chargeback vs. IT Governance – HEIT Management.

Classifying information using an agreed-upon schema is the best way to ensure the integrity of data when establishing an enterprise data model. A schema is a logical structure that defines how data is organized, stored, and accessed. By using a common schema across the enterprise, data can be standardized, validated, and integrated more easily and consistently. A schema also helps to avoid data duplication, inconsistency, and ambiguity, which can compromise data integrity. References: What Is an Enterprise Data Model? [+ Examples] - HubSpot Blog

Data loss prevention (DLP) is a set of tools and processes that aim to prevent the unauthorized disclosure, misuse, or theft of sensitive data. DLP can help to minimize the potential mishandling of customer personal information in a system located in a country with strict privacy regulations by detecting and blocking any attempts to access, copy, or transfer the data without proper authorization or consent. References := CGEIT Review Manual, Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.2: IT Risk Management Processes, Subsection 4.2.3: Risk Response, Page 155.

One of the challenges of IT governance is to balance the competing demands of maintaining the existing IT systems and services (steady state) and investing in new technologies and capabilities (modernization and enhancements) that can support the business objectives and strategies1. A common strategy to invest in modern technology is to create a new investment category for innovation that becomes a new way for tracking investment decisions2. This category can be used to allocate funds for exploring and experimenting with emerging technologies that have the potential to create value for the enterprise, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, internet of things, mobility, and drones3. By creating a separate category for innovation, the IT steering committee can ensure that the enterprise does not fall behind in adopting new technologies, and that the IT portfolio is aligned with the changing business needs and opportunities4. References :=

• The CFO and IT: Technology investment strategies | Deloitte Insights
• Global Technology Governance Report 2021 | World Economic Forum
• What is IT Governance and Why Your Organization Needs It Today
• How CIOs Can Get IT Governance Right in an Agile World | ICF

Enterprise architecture (EA) is the best option to support the planning of IT investments required for the enterprise, because EA is a practice and a discipline that describes and documents the current and future state of the enterprise’s business processes, applications, data, infrastructure, and security, and how they align with the enterprise’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives. EA can help the enterprise to plan IT investments by providing a holistic view of the enterprise’s IT architecture, identifying the gaps, needs, and opportunities for improvement, innovation, or transformation, and prioritizing and selecting the IT projects, programs, and portfolios that deliver the most value to the stakeholders and customers. According to ISACA’s CGEIT Domain 2: IT Resources1, “EA is a key enabler for IT investment planning and decision making. EA helps to ensure that IT investments are aligned with business strategy and support business outcomes.” Furthermore, according to ISACA’s article on EA2, “EA can help to optimize IT spending by reducing complexity, duplication, and waste, and by increasing efficiency, agility, and interoperability.” Therefore, EA is the best way to support the planning of IT investments required for the enterprise.

 Business continuity management (BCM) and disaster recovery management (DRM) are the most important processes for information asset life cycle management, as they ensure the availability, integrity, and security of information assets in the event of a disruption or disaster. BCM and DRM involve identifying the critical information assets, assessing the potential threats and impacts, developing and implementing plans and procedures to prevent, respond to, and recover from incidents, testing and reviewing the plans and procedures regularly, and ensuring the alignment of the plans and procedures with the business objectives and stakeholder expectations. BCM and DRM help protect the information assets from loss, damage, corruption, theft, or unauthorized access, and enable the organization to resume its normal operations as quickly as possible after a disruption or disaster. 

 Moving to a virtualized architecture will have the greatest impact on vendor management, as it will require the enterprise to select, contract, and monitor the performance of the cloud or virtualization service providers. Vendor management is essential for ensuring that the virtualized architecture meets the enterprise’s requirements, standards, and expectations, as well as for managing the risks, costs, and benefits of the virtualization strategy. Vendor management also involves negotiating and enforcing service level agreements (SLAs), ensuring compliance with regulations and policies, and resolving any issues or disputes that may arise with the vendors.

System life cycle management, asset classification, and vulnerability management are also important aspects of IT governance, but they are not as significantly affected by moving to a virtualized architecture as vendor management. System life cycle management is the process of planning, developing, testing, deploying, maintaining, and retiring IT systems. Asset classification is the process of identifying, categorizing, and labeling IT assets based on their value, sensitivity, and criticality. Vulnerability management is the process of identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating IT vulnerabilities that may pose a threat to the enterprise’s security or operations. These processes may need to be adapted or updated to accommodate the virtualized architecture, but they are not fundamentally changed by it.

References := Steps to Meet Cloud and Virtualized Architecture Governance; Crafting the optimal model for the IT architecture organization; Enterprise Architecture Governance – Why It Is Important (Part 2); What is IT governance? A formal way to align IT & business strategy.

 Enterprise architecture (EA) is the most important thing to review in this situation, as it provides a holistic view of the current and desired state of the IT applications, data, and infrastructure, as well as the business processes, capabilities, and goals that they support. EA can help identify the redundant IT applications, the data sources and dependencies, the integration requirements and challenges, and the alignment with the strategic initiative of providing integrated services to customers. EA can also help define the roadmap, standards, and governance for achieving the desired state of IT integration.

IT risk register, balanced scorecard measures, and IT strategic plan are also important things to review, but they are not as essential as EA in this situation. IT risk register is a document that records the IT risks that may affect the enterprise’s objectives and operations, as well as their likelihood, impact, mitigation strategies, and status. IT risk register can help identify and manage the potential risks associated with IT integration, such as data quality, security, compatibility, performance, and compliance issues. Balanced scorecard measures are a set of metrics that track the performance of IT in relation to the enterprise’s vision, strategy, and goals. Balanced scorecard measures can help evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of IT integration, as well as its contribution to customer satisfaction, business value, and innovation. IT strategic plan is a document that outlines the vision, mission, objectives, initiatives, and actions of IT to support the enterprise’s strategy and goals. IT strategic plan can help align IT integration with the business needs and expectations, as well as allocate the necessary resources and budget for it.

References := Enterprise Architecture Governance - CIO Wiki; Enterprise Architecture Governance | The Definitive Guide | LeanIX; Enterprise Architecture Governance – Why It Is Important (Part 2); What is IT governance? A formal way to align IT & business strategy.

 Enterprise data governance is a system for defining who within an organization has authority and control over data assets and how those data assets may be used. It encompasses the people, processes, and technologies required to manage and protect data assets1. Enterprise data governance can help address the inconsistencies in data classification by establishing a common framework, standards, and policies for data quality, security, and usage across the enterprise. It can also assign roles and responsibilities for data owners, stewards, and custodians to ensure accountability and compliance234. References:

• 2: https://www.ibm.com/topics/data-governance
• 1: https://www.cio.com/article/202183/what-is-data-governance-a-best-practices-framework-for-managing-data-assets.html
• 3: https://www.sailpoint.com/identity-library/enterprise-data-governance/
• 4: https://atlan.com/enterprise-data-governance/

The BEST time to identify metrics to measure the performance of an IT-enabled investment is during business case development. A business case is a document that provides the rationale and justification for initiating a project or investment1. It includes information such as the objectives, scope, benefits, costs, risks, assumptions, and success criteria of the proposed project or investment2. Identifying metrics to measure the performance of an IT-enabled investment during business case development can help to:

• Define the expected outcomes and value of the investment3
• Establish a baseline and targets for comparison and evaluation4
• Align the investment with the strategic goals and objectives of the enterprise5
• Communicate and demonstrate the benefits and impacts of the investment to stakeholders
• Monitor and control the progress and performance of the investment throughout its lifecycle References :=
• Business Case Development - Project Management Institute1
• How to Write a Business Case - ProjectManager.com2
• How to Measure the Value of an IT Investment - TechSoup3
• Maximizing IT Performance: 11 Metrics and KPIs to Monitor - Whatfix4
• Top 10 Essential IT Metrics & KPIs - Apptio5
• 17 Metrics For Evaluating The Success Of Tech Projects And … - Forbes
• 8 Portfolio Performance Metrics Investors Should Understand - Navexa

The most important input for the development of a human resources strategy to address IT skill gaps is the technology direction of the enterprise, because this would help to identify the current and future IT capabilities and competencies that are required to support the enterprise’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives. The technology direction of the enterprise should consider the external and internal factors that influence the IT environment, such as market trends, customer demands, innovation opportunities, regulatory requirements, and business strategies12. The human resources strategy should align the IT staff development and retention plans with the technology direction of the enterprise, and ensure that the IT staff have the relevant skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver value and performance to the enterprise12. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 25-26.

According to the CGEIT exam guide, a skills competency assessment is a process of identifying and measuring the skills, knowledge and abilities of IT employees. It helps to determine the current and desired levels of proficiency for each skill, as well as the gaps and needs for improvement. A skills competency assessment is the most important input for designing a development program to help IT employees improve their ability to respond to business needs, as it provides a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the IT workforce, and the areas where training, coaching, mentoring or other interventions are required. References: CGEIT Exam Candidate Guide, page 14. CGEIT Certification, Skills Competency Assessment

The next step that the enterprise should do after performing a business impact analysis (BIA) considering a number of risk scenarios is to assess risk mitigation strategies. A risk mitigation strategy is a plan of action that aims to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk event, or to transfer or accept the risk1. Assessing risk mitigation strategies involves evaluating the costs, benefits, feasibility, and effectiveness of various options for addressing the risks identified in the BIA. Assessing risk mitigation strategies can help the enterprise prioritize and implement the most appropriate and efficient solutions for protecting its critical business processes and resources from potential disruptions2. According to the Business Continuity Planning Process Diagram, assessing risk mitigation strategies is the fourth step in the business continuity planning process, following the BIA3.

The other options are not the next steps that the enterprise should do after performing a BIA. Performing a risk controls gap analysis is a step that precedes the BIA, as it helps to identify the existing controls and their effectiveness in preventing or reducing the risks4. Updating the disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a step that follows after assessing risk mitigation strategies, as it involves documenting the procedures and resources for restoring the critical business functions and IT systems in case of a disaster5. Verifying compliance with relevant legislation is a step that is done throughout the business continuity planning process, as it ensures that the enterprise meets the legal and regulatory requirements for its industry and location6. References := 1: Risk Mitigation Strategies - ISACA72: How to Conduct a Comprehensive Business Impact Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide33: Business Continuity Planning Process Diagram - ISACA84: Business Impact Analysis: Definition and How To Conduct One15: The Complete Guide to Business Impact Analysis with Templates - Creately46: How To Conduct Business Impact Analysis in 8 Easy Steps - G25

The primary basis for establishing categories within an information classification scheme should be the business impact, because it reflects the level of importance and sensitivity of the information to the organisation and its stakeholders. The business impact can be assessed by considering the potential consequences of unauthorised disclosure, modification, or loss of availability of the information. The higher the business impact, the higher the level of protection required for the information. For example, information that could cause severe damage to the organisation’s reputation, operations, or finances if compromised should be classified as Top Secret1, whereas information that is intended for public release should be classified as Public2. The information security policy should provide guidance on how to classify information based on the business impact, but it is not the primary basis for establishing categories. The information architecture and industry standards may also influence the classification scheme, but they are not as relevant as the business impact.

Outcome measures are indicators that measure the results or impacts of a strategy, program, or project on the intended beneficiaries or stakeholders1. The primary objective of building outcome measures is to monitor whether the chosen strategy is successful in achieving its goals and objectives, and to evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency2. Outcome measures can also help to communicate the value and benefits of the strategy to the relevant audiences, and to identify areas for improvement or adjustment3. Outcome measures are different from output measures, which measure the activities or products that are delivered by the strategy, but not necessarily their effects or outcomes4. References :=

• Outcome Measures - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
• Outcome Measurement | The Australian Institute of Family Studies
• Outcome Measurement: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations | Imagine Canada
• Doing Quantitative Research with Outcome Measures

Critical success factors (CSFs) are the essential elements or conditions that must be achieved for a project or program to be successful. CSFs help to define the scope, objectives, and expected outcomes of the project or program, as well as the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure and evaluate the progress and results. CSFs also help to align the project or program with the strategic goals and vision of the organization, and to communicate the value proposition and benefits to the stakeholders. Therefore, before launching a new program involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, an airline should define the CSFs to ensure that the program is feasible, desirable, and viable, and that it meets the business needs and expectations of the customers and the market. References := CGEIT Review Manual, Chapter 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.2: GEIT Principles, Subsection 1.2.3: Principle 3: Ensure Outcomes Are Delivered Through Effective Use of IT, Page 28.

 The best way to prevent adverse effects to the enterprise resulting from the new technology is to develop key risk indicators (KRIs), because they are metrics that measure the potential impact and likelihood of the risks associated with the new technology, and provide early warning signals for taking corrective actions. KRIs can help the enterprise to monitor and manage the risks of integrating the new technology with the current IT infrastructure, and to ensure that the expected benefits and value are realized12. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 75-76.

Negotiating service level agreements (SLAs) is the best way for an organization to minimize the difference between expected and delivered services when acquiring resources, because SLAs define the scope, quality, availability, performance, and security of the services that the provider will deliver to the customer. SLAs also specify the roles and responsibilities, escalation procedures, and penalties for non-compliance of both parties. By negotiating SLAs, the organization can ensure that its expectations and requirements are clearly communicated and agreed upon by the provider, and that there are mechanisms to measure and monitor the service delivery and outcomes. Negotiating SLAs also helps to prevent or resolve any disputes or issues that may arise from the service provision, and to ensure that the organization receives the value and benefits that it expects from the provider. One of the sources that supports this answer is Service-level Agreement: 3 Types And Templates - Contract Lawyers, which states that “A service-level agreement is important because it: Protects both parties: The SLA sets standards for the service, ensuring both the service provider and end user are on the same page with expectations.”

An enterprise that has identified potential environmental disasters that could occur in the area where its data center is located should next assess the likelihood and impact on the data center, because this would help to evaluate the level of risk and prioritize the appropriate risk response strategies. The likelihood and impact assessment should consider the frequency, severity, duration, and scope of the potential disasters, and the potential consequences for the data center’s availability, integrity, confidentiality, and performance12. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 75-76.

 Quantitative risk assessment is more objective than qualitative risk assessment because it uses numeric values and calculations to estimate the likelihood and impact of risks. Quantitative risk assessment is more appropriate when the risk assessment needs to be unbiased and consistent. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, p. 90-91.

The best criterion for prioritizing IT risk remediation when resource requirements are equal is the impact on business, as it reflects the potential consequences of the IT risk on the enterprise’s objectives, operations, reputation, and stakeholders. The impact on business can be measured by factors such as financial loss, operational disruption, customer dissatisfaction, regulatory violation, or reputational damage. The higher the impact on business, the higher the priority for IT risk remediation.

Deviation from IT standards, IT strategy alignment, and IT audit recommendations are also important criteria for prioritizing IT risk remediation, but they are not the best criterion. Deviation from IT standards is the degree to which an IT process, system, or service does not comply with the established policies, procedures, or best practices. Deviation from IT standards can indicate a weakness or gap in IT governance or management, but it does not necessarily reflect the severity or urgency of the IT risk. IT strategy alignment is the degree to which an IT process, system, or service supports and enables the enterprise’s strategy and goals. IT strategy alignment can indicate the value or importance of an IT process, system, or service, but it does not directly measure the impact of the IT risk on the business. IT audit recommendations are the suggestions or actions proposed by an IT auditor to address the findings or issues identified during an IT audit. IT audit recommendations can provide guidance and direction for IT risk remediation, but they are not a definitive or objective criterion for prioritization.

References := IT Risk Management Guide for 2022 | CIO Insight; What is IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)?; Holistic IT Governance, Risk Management, Security and Privacy: Needed for Effective Implementation and Continuous Improvement - ISACA; Cyberrisk Governance: A Practical Guide for Implementation - ISACA.

Learn more:

1. cioinsight.com2. securityscorecard.com3. isaca.org4. isaca.org5. cldigital.com+1 more

A succession plan is a process of identifying and preparing potential candidates to take over key roles in an organization when the current incumbents leave or retire. A succession plan is an important governance action to prepare for the possibility of losing a large portion of the organization’s key IT staff, as it can help to ensure the continuity and stability of the IT function and its alignment with the business objectives and strategies. A succession plan can also help to mitigate the risks and challenges associated with talent shortages, knowledge gaps, and leadership transitions. A succession plan should be developed in collaboration with the human resources (HR) department, the IT senior management, and the board of directors, and should include the following steps:

• Identify the critical IT roles and their competencies, responsibilities, and performance expectations
• Assess the current IT staff and their readiness, potential, and interest to assume higher-level or more complex roles
• Conduct a gap analysis to determine the difference between the current and future skills and capabilities needed for the IT function
• Develop a talent pipeline and a talent pool of internal and external candidates who can fill the critical IT roles
• Provide learning and development opportunities for the identified candidates, such as training, coaching, mentoring, job rotation, or shadowing
• Monitor and evaluate the progress and performance of the candidates and provide feedback and support
• Review and update the succession plan periodically to reflect any changes in the business or IT environment

References: Succession planning: a guide to get it right - Workable1, Succession Planning: Template, Process, Best Practices [2023] - Valamis2, Succession Planning: Best Practices - GitHub Pages3

This is because senior management is responsible for defining and communicating the IT strategy, objectives, and performance expectations for the organization. Senior management is also responsible for establishing and overseeing the IT governance framework, which includes the performance measurement metrics, processes, and tools. Senior management should ensure that the performance measurement metrics are aligned with the business goals and value creation, as well as the IT governance principles and policies. Senior management should also monitor and evaluate the IT performance results and take corrective actions if needed.

Some of the sources that support this answer are:

• 1: This source explains the roles and responsibilities of senior management in IT governance, and how they can use COBIT 5 to implement effective IT governance practices. It states that senior management should define the IT-related goals and objectives, establish the IT governance structure and processes, assign roles and responsibilities, and ensure adequate resources and capabilities for IT governance.
• 2: This source discusses the importance and benefits of IT performance measurement for IT governance, and provides some tips and tools for conducting it. It suggests that senior management should be involved in setting the IT performance measurement criteria, selecting the key performance indicators (KPIs), defining the targets and thresholds, and reviewing and reporting the IT performance outcomes.
• 3: This source provides a comprehensive guide on how to optimize IT project intake, approval, and prioritization. It mentions that senior management should be responsible for defining the strategic alignment, value delivery, risk optimization, and resource optimization criteria for IT projects, as well as for monitoring and evaluating the IT project portfolio performance.

Data stewards are primarily responsible for applying frameworks for the governance of IT to balance the need for security controls with business requirements, as they are the custodians of the data quality, integrity, and security within an organization. Data stewards define and implement data policies, standards, and procedures, as well as monitor and report on data compliance and performance. Data stewards also collaborate with other stakeholders, such as data owners, data users, and data scientists, to ensure that the data is aligned with the business objectives and meets the regulatory and ethical requirements.

Data scientists, data analysts, and data processors are not primarily responsible for applying frameworks for the governance of IT, as they are more focused on the technical aspects of data collection, analysis, and processing. Data scientists use advanced methods and tools to extract insights and value from data. Data analysts use descriptive and inferential statistics to explore and interpret data. Data processors perform operations on data, such as entry, validation, transformation, storage, and retrieval.

References := What is a Data Steward? | Informatica; Data Governance Roles: The Ultimate Guide | Collibra; Data Governance Roles: Who Does What? | erwin; [What is IT governance? A formal way to align IT & business strategy].

According to the web search results, a SaaS contract is a legal agreement between a SaaS provider and a customer that defines the terms and conditions of using the SaaS solution, such as the scope, duration, price, service level, data ownership, security, privacy, compliance, etc. The most effective way to reduce the risk associated with the SaaS solution is to include risk-related requirements in the SaaS contract, such as the following12:

• The SaaS provider should comply with the relevant laws and regulations that apply to the customer’s industry and location, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.
• The SaaS provider should implement adequate security measures and controls to protect the customer’s data from unauthorized access, modification, disclosure or loss, such as encryption, authentication, authorization, backup, etc.
• The SaaS provider should provide regular reports and audits on the security and performance of the SaaS solution, as well as notify the customer of any security incidents or breaches that may affect the customer’s data.
• The SaaS provider should guarantee a certain level of availability and reliability of the SaaS solution, and specify the remedies or penalties for any service downtime or disruption.
• The SaaS provider should allow the customer to access, export, delete or transfer their data at any time, and ensure that the data are erased or returned to the customer upon termination of the contract.
• The SaaS provider should indemnify and hold harmless the customer from any claims, damages or liabilities arising from the use of the SaaS solution.

Including risk-related requirements in the SaaS contract will help to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both parties, as well as to establish trust and accountability between them. It will also help to mitigate the potential risks and challenges of using a hosted SaaS solution34, such as data loss, unauthorized access, compliance violations, service outages, vendor lock-in, etc. The other options are not as effective as including risk-related requirements in the SaaS contract, as they do not address the contractual and legal aspects of using a hosted SaaS solution.

Business risk has the greatest impact on the design of an IT governance framework, as it determines the level of control, oversight, and alignment that is required for the IT function to support the business objectives and mitigate the potential threats and vulnerabilities. Business risk is influenced by various factors, such as the industry, market, customer, competitor, regulatory, and environmental context of the enterprise. Therefore, the IT governance framework should be tailored to suit the specific risk profile and appetite of the enterprise, and to address the key risk areas and scenarios that could affect the business performance and value. According to COBIT 2019, one of the design factors that can influence the design of an enterprise’s governance system is the risk profile1. This design factor reflects the degree of risk exposure and tolerance that the enterprise has in relation to its use of information and technology1. The risk profile can be assessed by considering various aspects, such as the likelihood and impact of risk events, the sources and types of risks, the risk appetite and thresholds, the risk management capabilities and maturity, and the risk culture and awareness1. Based on the risk profile, the enterprise can decide on the appropriate governance objectives, components, enablers, practices, and activities that are needed to manage and mitigate the risks effectively1. The other options, IT performance metrics, resource allocation, and business leadership, are also important for the design of an IT governance framework, but they are not as impactful as business risk. IT performance metrics are used to measure and monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the IT function in delivering value to the business2. Resource allocation is a process that optimizes the use of IT resources across multiple programs and projects in alignment with the business goals and priorities3. Business leadership is a role that provides strategic direction, guidance, and support for the IT function in achieving its objectives4. However, these factors are more related to the implementation and execution of the IT governance framework, rather than its design. They are also influenced by the business risk factor, as they depend on the level of risk exposure and tolerance that the enterprise has. References := IT Governance: Definitions, Frameworks and Planning - ProjectManager, Resource Allocation Done Right: Best Practices for 2022 & Beyond, The Role of Business Leadership in Effective IT Governance, COBIT Design Factors: A Dynamic Approach to Tailoring Governance in … - ISACA

The best group to evaluate recommendations to address the use of antiquated technologies throughout the enterprise is the Enterprise Architecture (EA) review board. This group is responsible for overseeing the architectural framework and ensuring that IT systems and technologies align with the enterprise's strategic objectives. The EA review board has the expertise to assess the impact of current technologies on the business and recommend modernization strategies that align with the enterprise architecture. While business process improvement workgroups, audit committees, and risk management committees play important roles, the EA review board is specifically equipped to address technological shortcomings and alignment with business goals.

The best approach to ensure global regulatory compliance when implementing a new business process is to ensure the appropriate involvement of the legal department. The legal department is the function that provides legal advice and guidance to the organization on various matters, such as contracts, transactions, disputes, regulations, and compliance. By involving the legal department in the implementation of a new business process, the organization can ensure that the business process complies with the relevant laws, policies, and standards that apply in different countries and jurisdictions. The legal department can also help to identify and mitigate any legal risks or issues that may arise from the new business process, such as liability, litigation, or sanctions.

The other options are not as effective as ensuring the appropriate involvement of the legal department for ensuring global regulatory compliance when implementing a new business process. Using a balanced scorecard to track the business process is a good practice for measuring and evaluating the performance and value of the business process, but it does not guarantee compliance with global regulations. Reviewing and revising the business architecture is a necessary step for designing and aligning the business process with the business strategy and objectives, but it does not address the legal aspects of the business process. Seeking approval from the change management board is a relevant procedure for implementing a new business process, but it does not ensure that the change management board has the expertise or authority to assess and approve the global regulatory compliance of the business process.

 The first thing that should be done to reduce the complexity of the IT landscape is to conduct strategic planning with business units. Strategic planning is the process of defining the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the enterprise and how they will be achieved. It also involves aligning the IT strategy with the business strategy and ensuring that they support each other. By conducting strategic planning with business units, the enterprise can identify and prioritize the IT needs and expectations of each business unit, as well as the commonalities and synergies among them. This can help to reduce the complexity of the IT landscape by eliminating duplicate technologies, resolving conflicting priorities, and creating a coherent and consistent IT architecture that meets the business requirements and delivers value. The other options are not as effective as conducting strategic planning with business units for reducing the complexity of the IT landscape. Promoting automation tools used by the business units may improve efficiency and productivity, but it does not address the underlying issues of duplication and conflict. Migrating all in-house systems to an external cloud environment may reduce costs and increase scalability, but it does not ensure alignment and integration of IT systems across business units. Standardizing technology architecture on common products may simplify IT operations and maintenance, but it does not consider the specific needs and preferences of each business unit.

The best way for an enterprise to address new legal and regulatory requirements applicable to IT is to treat them as a risk to be assessed before developing a response. This approach involves identifying the potential impact of the new requirements on the organization, evaluating the likelihood and consequences of non-compliance, and then developing a prioritized response plan based on this risk assessment. This method ensures a measured and proportional response that aligns with the organization's risk appetite and strategic objectives. While benchmarking, adopting a zero-tolerance approach, and using cost-benefit analysis are useful, they should be part of a broader risk-based strategy to address compliance effectively.

The primary reason to monitor data classification efforts is to identify deviations in the data that are outside risk thresholds. This is because data classification is a process of organizing and labeling data according to its type, sensitivity, and value to the organization1. Data classification helps to ensure that data is protected and handled appropriately according to its risk level and compliance requirements1. By monitoring data classification efforts, the organization can:

• Detect and prevent any unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure of sensitive or confidential data2
• Identify and mitigate any potential threats or vulnerabilities that could affect the availability, integrity, or quality of data2
• Evaluate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of data classification policies, procedures, and tools2
• Ensure alignment and consistency of data classification across different systems, applications, and processes2
• Report and communicate the status and results of data classification to relevant stakeholders2

Monitoring data classification efforts can help the organization to manage and reduce the risks associated with data and to comply with relevant industry-specific regulatory mandates such as SOX, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR1.

References := Data Classification: Overview and Best Practices | Ground Labs, What Is Data Classification? The 5 Step Process & Best Practices for Classifying Data | Splunk

 Change management is the process of planning, implementing, and managing the human side of change in an organization. Change management aims to minimize the resistance and disruption caused by a change, and maximize the adoption and benefits of the change1. Deploying a new enterprise-wide tool is a significant change that affects the way people work, communicate, and collaborate. Therefore, the best way for a CIO to manage the organizational impact of this change is to implement change management practices, such as:

• Assessing the readiness and impact of the change on the stakeholders
• Developing a communication and engagement plan to inform and involve the affected parties
• Providing training and support to help the users learn and use the new tool
• Measuring and monitoring the progress and outcomes of the change
• Reinforcing and sustaining the change through feedback and recognition

Project management, risk management, and resource management are also important aspects of deploying a new enterprise-wide tool, but they are not sufficient to address the human side of change. Project management focuses on delivering the project on time, on budget, and on scope2. Risk management identifies, analyzes, and mitigates the potential threats and opportunities associated with the project3. Resource management allocates and optimizes the use of human, financial, and physical resources for the project4. However, none of these processes directly deal with the behavioral and emotional aspects of change, such as overcoming resistance, building commitment, and creating a culture of change. Therefore, change management is the best way for a CIO to manage the organizational impact of deploying a new enterprise-wide tool.

References: 1: What is Change Management? - Prosci 2: What is Project Management? | PMI 3: What is Risk Management? | PMI 4: What is Resource Management? | PMI

To measure the value of IT-enabled investments, an enterprise needs to identify its drivers as defined by its business strategy. The business strategy is the document that defines the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the enterprise and how they will be achieved. It also specifies the value proposition, competitive advantage, and target market of the enterprise. The drivers of value are the factors that influence or determine the value creation and delivery of the enterprise. They can include aspects such as customer satisfaction, revenue growth, cost reduction, innovation, quality, and efficiency. By identifying its drivers as defined by its business strategy, the enterprise can align its IT-enabled investments with its strategic priorities and expectations. It can also establish the criteria, metrics, and indicators for measuring and evaluating the value of IT-enabled investments in terms of their contribution to the business outcomes and performance.

• This is because training metrics are measurable values that indicate the effectiveness and impact of the training programs on the IT staff’s knowledge, skills, and performance1. By embedding training metrics into the annual performance appraisal process, the CIO can:

Embedding training metrics into the annual performance appraisal process can help to create a culture of learning, development, and accountability for IT-related training within the organization. It can also help to align the individual goals of the IT management team and direct employees with the organizational goals of IT governance.

The other options, developing training programs based on results of an IT staff survey of preferences, promoting IT-specific training awareness program, and researching and identifying training needs based on industry trends are not as effective as embedding training metrics into the annual performance appraisal process for ensuring that IT-related training is taken seriously by the IT management team and direct employees. They are more related to the design and delivery of the IT-related training, rather than its integration and evaluation. They may also not have a significant impact on the behavior and attitude of the IT management team and direct employees towards IT-related training, as they may not provide sufficient motivation, feedback, or recognition for participation or completion.

The best way for a CIO to ensure that the work of IT employees is aligned with approved IT directives is to include relevant IT goals in individual performance objectives. This means that the CIO should communicate the IT vision, mission, strategy and objectives to the IT staff and link them to their personal and professional development plans. By doing so, the CIO can motivate the IT employees to work toward the desired outcomes, monitor their progress and performance, provide feedback and recognition, and address any issues or gaps. Including relevant IT goals in individual performance objectives can also help to align the IT employees with the business needs and expectations, foster a culture of accountability and collaboration, and improve the quality and value of IT services12. References := How to Align Employee Performance With Organizational Goals, The Importance And Challenges Of Employee Alignment

Standardization is the process of establishing and applying common rules, formats, definitions, and methods for data collection, storage, processing, and exchange. Standardization is critical for enabling data interoperability, which is the ability of data to be shared and used across different systems, platforms, applications, and organizations. Standardization can help improve data interoperability by:

• Enhancing the quality, consistency, and accuracy of data
• Reducing the complexity and ambiguity of data
• Increasing the compatibility and comparability of data
• Facilitating the integration and analysis of data
• Promoting the reuse and sharing of data

References:

• According to the CGEIT Review Manual 2022, "Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards. The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers (commoditization), compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability or quality."1
• According to the UN Statistics Wiki on Data Interoperability Guide2, “Standardization is a key enabler for interoperability. It allows for a common understanding of data elements across different systems and domains.”
• According to the ISO/IEC 38500:2015 standard on Information technology — Governance of IT for the organization3, “Standardization can improve interoperability between systems within an organization or between organizations.”

According to the CGEIT exam content outline1, one of the subtopics under the domain of Governance of Enterprise IT is “Governance Strategy Alignment with Enterprise Objectives”. This subtopic covers the process of ensuring that the IT strategy is aligned with the business strategy and supports the achievement of enterprise goals and objectives. Therefore, the best course of action for the CIO in this situation is to align the business strategy with the IT strategy, which would help the IT team to meet the new demands and deliver value to the enterprise. References: 1: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA

The most important thing for a data steward to verify when a system’s data is edited by an automated tool to fix an incident is that the change maintains consistency among databases and has no other impacts. Data consistency is a dimension of data quality that describes the data’s uniformity as it moves across applications and networks and when it comes from multiple sources1. Data is considered consistent if two or more values in different locations are identical and do not conflict1. Data consistency is related to data integrity and data currency1. To ensure data consistency, some steps include data governance, automated data integration, and regular data audits and quality control checks1. If the automated tool changes the data in one database, but not in others, it can create inconsistencies and errors that affect the reliability and usability of the data. Similarly, if the automated tool changes the data in a way that affects other processes or systems that depend on the data, it can cause disruptions and failures that impact the business operations and performance. Therefore, the data steward should verify that the change is consistent and has no other impacts before approving it.

The other options are not as important as verifying the data consistency and impact of the change. Requesting and approving the change by the business department and the data owner is a good practice, but not a verification step. Documenting the change in preparation for future audits is a necessary step, but not a verification step. Addressing the permanent solution for the incident by problem management is a relevant step, but not a verification step. References := What is Data Quality - Definition, Dimensions … - Simplilearn

A product life cycle is the length of time from a product first being introduced to consumers until it is removed from the market. It consists of four or five stages, depending on the source: introduction, growth, maturity, decline, and sometimes development1. A product life cycle information can help the enterprise to estimate the ongoing maintenance costs of IT-enabled business investments, as well as their expected benefits, risks, and returns. By requiring business cases to have product life cycle information, the enterprise can prioritize IT-enabled business investments based on their long-term value and alignment with the enterprise’s objectives2.

A balanced scorecard is a management system that clarifies the strategy and vision of an organization, translating them into action that can be tracked. It uses four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business process, and knowledge, education, and growth3. A balanced scorecard for the IT project portfolio can help the enterprise to measure the performance and value of IT projects, but it does not necessarily consider the ongoing maintenance costs of IT-enabled business investments.

A portfolio manager is a specialized project manager who focuses on IT projects. They are responsible for keeping projects within budget, optimizing time management for IT teams, and allocating resources appropriately4. Establishing a portfolio manager role to monitor and control the IT projects can help the enterprise to manage its IT project portfolio more effectively, but it does not address the issue of prioritizing IT-enabled business investments based on their ongoing maintenance costs.

An enterprise architecture (EA) is a conceptual blueprint that defines the structure and operation of an organization. It describes the current and future state of the organization in terms of its strategy, processes, information systems, and technology infrastructure5. Mandating an EA review with business stakeholders can help the enterprise to align its IT-enabled business investments with its strategic goals and ensure compliance with defined security rules, but it does not solve the problem of considering the ongoing maintenance costs of IT-enabled business investments.

 The next course of action in response to the CIO’s concern is to assess the risk associated with the device. This means that the CIO should evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of security threats posed by the device, such as data leakage, unauthorized access, malware infection, or privacy violation. The CIO should also consider the benefits and drawbacks of allowing or banning such devices, such as productivity, innovation, user satisfaction, or compliance. A risk assessment can help the CIO to make an informed decision based on facts and evidence, rather than assumptions or emotions. A risk assessment can also provide a basis for defining a risk mitigation strategy, updating the acceptable use policy, or researching competitor usage of similar devices. References := 10 security risks of wearables | CSO Online, Wearable Devices are on the Rise, Presenting New Security Risks, Common privacy and security vulnerabilities in wearable devices, Wearables Device Data Security & Protection | Voler Systems

 A common risk management taxonomy is a set of terms and definitions that are used consistently across the enterprise to describe, measure, and report on risks. A common risk management taxonomy is essential for integrating IT risk with the ERM framework, as it enables a common understanding of risk concepts, categories, and levels among different stakeholders and functions. A common risk management taxonomy also facilitates the aggregation and comparison of risks across the enterprise, and supports the alignment of risk appetite and tolerance with business objectives12. References: 1: Integrated Enterprise IT Risk Management (ERM) Programs - CohnReznick3 2: Introducing Risk Taxonomy - ISACA4

 Engaging stakeholders to identify and validate business requirements is the best way to improve the success rate of future IT initiatives. Stakeholders are the individuals or groups who have an interest or influence in the IT initiatives, such as business users, customers, managers, sponsors, etc. Engaging stakeholders can help:

• Understand the needs, expectations, and priorities of the stakeholders, and ensure that they are aligned with the business objectives and strategy
• Define and document the business requirements that specify what the IT initiatives should deliver in terms of functionality, quality, performance, and value
• Validate and verify that the business requirements are clear, complete, consistent, feasible, and testable
• Communicate and manage any changes or issues that may affect the business requirements or the IT initiatives

Engaging stakeholders to identify and validate business requirements can help avoid missing key functionality in the corporate applications, and ensure that they meet the stakeholder’s needs and expectations. This can also reduce the reliance on spreadsheets and databases as alternative software solutions, and increase the user satisfaction and adoption of the enterprise applications.

The other options are not the best way to improve the success rate of future IT initiatives. Engaging the business user community in acceptance testing of acquired applications is a good practice, but it is not sufficient to ensure that the applications have the key functionality that meets the business requirements. Acceptance testing is done at the end of the IT initiative lifecycle, after the applications have been developed or acquired. If the business requirements were not properly identified and validated at the beginning of the IT initiative lifecycle, acceptance testing may reveal significant gaps or defects that may be costly or difficult to fix. Establishing a process for risk and value management is a useful technique, but it does not directly address the issue of missing key functionality in the corporate applications. Risk and value management involves identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and treating the risks and benefits associated with IT initiatives. However, without clear and valid business requirements, risk and value management may not be effective or accurate. Prohibiting the use of non-approved alternate software solutions is a restrictive measure, but it does not solve the problem of missing key functionality in the corporate applications. Prohibiting the use of spreadsheets and databases may force the users to use the enterprise applications, but it may also create dissatisfaction, frustration, or resistance among them. Moreover, it may prevent them from performing their tasks efficiently or effectively if the enterprise applications do not meet their needs.

For more information on engaging stakeholders to identify and validate business requirements, you can refer to these web sources:

• Stakeholder Engagement - ISACA
• Business Requirements - ISACA
• Requirements Validation - ISACA

An IT skills inventory is a list of the skills, competencies, and qualifications of the IT staff in an organization. It can help to identify the current and potential capabilities of the IT workforce, as well as the gaps and needs for improvement. An IT skills inventory would be most helpful to review when determining how to allocate IT resources during a resource shortage, because it can help to match the right people with the right tasks, optimize the utilization and productivity of the existing IT staff, and prioritize the critical and urgent IT activities. The other options are not as helpful as an IT skills inventory for allocating IT resources during a resource shortage. An IT strategic plan is a document that defines the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the IT function and how they align with the business strategy. It can help to guide the direction and scope of the IT activities and investments, but it does not provide detailed information on the availability and suitability of the IT resources. An IT organizational structure is a diagram that shows the hierarchy, roles, and responsibilities of the IT staff in an organization. It can help to clarify the reporting lines and communication channels of the IT function, but it does not reflect the skills and competencies of the IT staff. An IT skill development plan is a document that outlines the learning and training opportunities for the IT staff to enhance their skills and competencies. It can help to improve the performance and career progression of the IT staff, but it does not address the immediate needs and challenges of allocating IT resources during a resource shortage. References := What is an IT Skills Inventory?, How to Conduct an Effective Skills Gap Analysis, Resource allocation 101: How to manage your team’s resources | Planio

The first consideration with regard to the IT service desk that will remain centralized is the effect of regional differences on service delivery. This is because regional differences can pose various challenges and opportunities for the IT service desk, such as:

• Language and cultural barriers: The IT service desk staff should be able to communicate effectively and respectfully with customers from different countries and backgrounds, and understand their needs, preferences, and expectations. This may require hiring multilingual staff, providing language training, using translation tools, or outsourcing some services to local providers1.
• Time zone differences: The IT service desk should be able to provide timely and consistent support to customers across different time zones, and avoid delays or disruptions in service delivery. This may require extending the service hours, implementing shift work, using automation tools, or outsourcing some services to local providers2.
• Legal and regulatory differences: The IT service desk should be aware of and comply with the local laws and regulations that apply to the IT services they provide, such as data protection, privacy, security, taxation, and consumer rights. This may require conducting a risk assessment, obtaining legal advice, implementing policies and procedures, or outsourcing some services to local providers3.
• Technical and operational differences: The IT service desk should be able to adapt to the technical and operational requirements and challenges of the different regions they serve, such as network connectivity, bandwidth, infrastructure, devices, software, standards, and best practices. This may require conducting a feasibility study, investing in technology upgrades, implementing quality assurance measures, or outsourcing some services to local providers4.

The other options, identification of IT service desk functions that can be outsourced, enforcement of a standardized policy across all regions, and availability of adequate resources to provide support for new users are also important considerations for the IT service desk that will remain centralized, but they are not the first one. They are more related to the implementation and execution of the IT service desk strategy, rather than its design. They are also influenced by the regional differences factor, as they depend on the level of variation and complexity that the IT service desk faces in different regions. References := Five Ways to Provide a World Class Service Desk Experience, How to Run an IT Service Desk in a Hybrid or Remote World - Gartner, Best Practices for Building a Service Desk | Atlassian, The Top 18 Help Desk Metrics and Best Practices - HubSpot Blog

When assessing the implications of new external regulations on IT compliance, the first consideration should be the IT policies and procedures that need revision. This initial focus ensures that the foundational guidelines governing IT operations are aligned with the new regulatory requirements, forming the basis for compliance. While the resource burden for implementation, gaps in skills and experience of IT employees, and the impact on contracts with service providers are important considerations, they follow the primary step of ensuring that IT policies and procedures are in compliance with new regulations.

This is because alignment with business strategy means that IT projects are selected and executed in a way that supports the organization’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives. Alignment with business strategy can help to ensure that IT projects deliver value to the organization and its stakeholders, as well as to optimize the use of IT resources and capabilities. Alignment with business strategy can also help to avoid or minimize conflicts, gaps, or redundancies among IT projects, as well as to facilitate communication and collaboration among IT and business units.

Some of the sources that support this answer are:

• 1: This source provides a comprehensive guide on how to optimize IT project intake, approval, and prioritization. It suggests that one of the steps to redesign the governance framework is to conduct a portfolio review to assess the benefits realization of IT investments and ensure that they are aligned with the business strategy and deliver value.
• 2: This source discusses how to prioritize IT tasks and projects, and provides some expert tips and a downloadable template. It advises that one of the criteria for prioritizing IT projects is strategic alignment, which means that the project supports the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
• 3: This source describes the process of how to use the Technology Governance Framework to determine if a proposal requires approval from a formal IT governance body, then how a submitted proposal would proceed on its path to acceptance. It states that one of the factors that influence the prioritization of proposals is alignment with strategic direction, which means that the proposal supports the organization’s vision, mission, values, and goals.

To help ensure that IT projects related to a new business opportunity deliver the required business outcomes, the best approach is to implement stage-gate reviews that require business sign-off at each critical phase of the project. This process provides structured checkpoints where project progress, alignment with business requirements, and expected outcomes can be evaluated and validated by business stakeholders. This ensures ongoing alignment between IT project execution and business objectives, allowing for timely adjustments as needed. Hiring consultants, developing policies, and focusing on process maturity are supportive actions, but stage-gate reviews with business sign-off directly link project progression to business expectations.

The first thing that should be done to address the issue of duplicate support contracts and underutilization of IT services is to review the enterprise IT procurement policy. This is because the IT procurement policy is a document that defines the rules, guidelines, and procedures for acquiring and managing IT products and services in an organization1. A well-designed IT procurement policy can help to:

• Align IT procurement with business strategy, objectives, and priorities1
• Optimize IT spending and maximize IT value1
• Ensure IT quality, security, and compliance1
• Avoid IT duplication, waste, and inefficiency1
• Define IT roles and responsibilities and assign accountability1

By reviewing the enterprise IT procurement policy, the organization can identify and address any gaps, issues, or inconsistencies that may have led to the problem of business divisions approaching technology vendors for cloud services without proper coordination or approval. The review can also help to update and improve the IT procurement policy to reflect the current and future needs and expectations of the organization and its stakeholders. Some of the best practices for developing an effective IT procurement policy are2:

• Involve all relevant stakeholders in the policy development process
• Conduct a thorough analysis of the current and future IT requirements
• Establish clear criteria and standards for selecting and evaluating IT vendors and services
• Implement a robust approval and authorization system for IT purchases
• Incorporate risk management and contingency planning into the policy
• Communicate and educate the policy to all employees and stakeholders
• Monitor and measure the policy implementation and outcomes

The other options, re-negotiating contracts with vendors to request discounts, requiring updates to the IT procurement process, and conducting an audit to investigate utilization of cloud services are not as effective as reviewing the enterprise IT procurement policy for addressing the issue. They are more related to the implementation and execution of the IT procurement policy, rather than its design. They may also be reactive or corrective measures, rather than proactive or preventive ones. They may not address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of a clear and comprehensive IT procurement policy that guides and governs the acquisition and management of IT products and services in the organization.

The primary role of the CEO in IT governance is establishing enterprise strategic goals. The CEO is responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction of the organization, which includes ensuring that IT governance aligns with and supports these broader objectives. While managing the risk governance process, evaluating ROI, and nominating IT steering committee membership are important, these are typically shared responsibilities or delegated to other roles within the organization. The CEO's leadership in defining the strategic goals is fundamental to guiding all aspects of IT governance and ensuring alignment with the business strategy.

 A whistle-blower policy is a document that defines how ethics violations should be reported and how the whistle-blowers should be protected from retaliation. A whistle-blower policy is the best way to encourage employees to raise ethics concerns in full confidence, as it provides them with a clear, safe, and confidential channel to voice their concerns and seek resolution. A whistle-blower policy also demonstrates the organization’s commitment to ethical conduct and accountability, and fosters a culture of trust and openness12.

The other options are not as effective as establishing and communicating a whistle-blower policy. Publishing and enforcing a code of conduct policy is important for defining the ethical standards and expectations for the organization, but it does not necessarily encourage employees to raise ethics concerns, unless it is accompanied by a whistle-blower policy that ensures their protection and support3. Providing access to legal resource benefits is helpful for employees who need legal advice or assistance, but it does not guarantee their confidence or safety in reporting ethics violations, especially if they fear retaliation from their employer or co-workers4. Providing protection language in employment contracts is useful for safeguarding the rights and interests of employees, but it may not be sufficient or specific enough to address the issues and challenges faced by whistle-blowers, such as harassment, discrimination, or termination5.

References: 1: Here’s What You Need in Your Whistleblower Policy (and Why) - Case IQ4 2: Whistle Blowing in the Public Sector - Markkula Center for Applied Ethics3 3: Ethics Policies vs. Whistleblower Policies - What’s the Difference? - CMS1 4: Legal Resources | Employee Benefits | The Hartford 5: Whistleblower Protection: Overview of Federal Laws | Congressional Research Service

To prevent an IT system from becoming obsolete before achieving its planned return on investment (ROI), it is crucial to manage the benefit realization throughout the entire lifecycle of the system. This approach involves continuously monitoring and adjusting the system to ensure it delivers the expected value and benefits from inception through decommissioning. This proactive management helps in adapting to changes in technology and business environments, thus extending the relevance and utility of the IT system. Obtaining independent assurance, defining IT and business goals, and ordering an external audit are important practices but do not directly address the ongoing management of the system's value delivery and adaptability over time.

 A root cause analysis is the first step to identify the factors that are causing the loss of top talent and to devise appropriate solutions. A SWOT analysis, an incentive and retention program, and an aggressive talent acquisition program are possible outcomes of a root cause analysis, but they are not the first action to take. References := CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, page 103.

The most important consideration regarding IT measures as part of an IT strategic plan is that the metrics can be traced to enterprise goals. This alignment ensures that IT initiatives and performance metrics directly contribute to achieving the broader objectives of the organization, demonstrating the value of IT in supporting strategic outcomes. While data collection automation, realistic minimum target levels, and thresholds aligned to KRIs are important attributes of effective metrics, the ability to trace metrics back to enterprise goals is fundamental to ensuring strategic alignment and justifying IT investments.

Effective risk management in IT governance requires that risk evaluation is embedded in the management processes of the organization. This means that risk evaluation is not a separate or isolated activity, but rather an integral part of the planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of IT activities and initiatives. Embedding risk evaluation in the management processes can help:

• Identify and assess the potential threats and opportunities that may affect the achievement of IT and business objectives
• Align the IT risk appetite and tolerance with the enterprise risk appetite and tolerance
• Prioritize and allocate the resources and actions to address the risks based on their impact and likelihood
• Monitor and report the risk performance and outcomes in relation to the IT value drivers and benefits
• Embed the risk culture and awareness across the organization

References:

• According to the CGEIT Review Manual 2022, "Risk evaluation should be embedded in management processes. Risk evaluation should be performed as part of planning, executing, monitoring and reporting activities."1
• According to the ISACA article on Risk Management: A Driver for Value Creation2, “Risk management should be embedded into all business processes. It should be part of strategic planning, project management, change management, performance management, etc.”
• According to the NIST article on Staging Cybersecurity Risks for Enterprise Risk Management and Governance3, “Embedding cybersecurity risk management into enterprise risk management (ERM) processes can help organizations better understand their cybersecurity risks, prioritize them based on their potential impact on business objectives, and allocate resources accordingly.”

Information architecture is the design and organization of data and information assets in an enterprise, such as databases, documents, metadata, and taxonomies. Enterprise architecture (EA) is the holistic view and planning of the business strategy, processes, systems, and technology in an enterprise, such as business architecture, application architecture, data architecture, and technology architecture1. Aligning information architecture with EA means ensuring that the data and information assets are consistent, coherent, and supportive of the EA goals and objectives2.

The primary benefit of aligning information architecture with EA is that it enables the tracing of data to business functions, which means that the data can be linked to the business processes, activities, roles, and outcomes that use or produce it. This benefit has several advantages for the enterprise, such as34:

• Improving data quality, accuracy, and reliability by identifying and resolving any data issues or gaps in the business functions
• Enhancing data governance, security, and compliance by defining and enforcing the data policies and standards for the business functions
• Increasing data value, usability, and accessibility by providing the data consumers with relevant and timely data for their business functions
• Supporting data-driven decision making and innovation by enabling the analysis and evaluation of data for the business functions

The other options are not the primary benefit of aligning information architecture with EA, but rather secondary or potential benefits. Improving communication with senior management and the business is a benefit of EA in general, but not specific to information architecture alignment. Ensuring the adoption of enterprise data quality standards is a benefit of data governance, which may be facilitated by information architecture alignment, but not guaranteed. Facilitating appropriate access to data consumers is a benefit of data security and privacy, which may be improved by information architecture alignment, but not directly.

References: 1: What is Enterprise Architecture? | Gartner1 2: Aligning Information Architecture with Business Strategy - DATAVERSITY2 3: The Benefits of Enterprise Architecture in Organizational …3 4: An Enterprise Architecture Approach for Assessing the Alignment Between

Aligning the program to the business requirements. IT value management is the process of planning, measuring, and optimizing the value delivered by IT to the business. Changing an IT value management program means introducing new or improved methods, tools, or practices to enhance the IT value management process. The best CSF for this change is to align the program to the business requirements, which means ensuring that the program supports the business strategy, goals, and needs, and delivers the expected benefits and outcomes to the business stakeholders12.

The other options are not as effective as aligning the program to the business requirements to use as a CSF for changing an IT value management program. Documenting the process for the board of directors’ approval is a step that may be required for changing an IT value management program, but it does not guarantee that the program will be successful or effective. Adopting the program by using an incremental approach is a strategy that may help to implement the change more smoothly and gradually, but it does not ensure that the change will meet the business expectations or needs. Implementing the program through the enterprise’s change plan is a tactic that may facilitate the coordination and communication of the change across the enterprise, but it does not ensure that the change will align with the business strategy or goals.

References: 1: IT Value Management - Compact3 2: 7 Rules for Demonstrating the Business Value of IT - Gartner

Performing stage-gate reviews throughout the life cycle of each project is the best way to ensure IT investment management processes are fully realizing the benefits identified in business cases. Stage-gate reviews provide structured checkpoints at critical phases of a project, allowing for the evaluation of progress, performance against objectives, and the continued viability and alignment with business goals. This approach enables timely adjustments to be made, ensuring that projects stay on track to deliver the expected benefits. While CIO review and approval, evaluating delegation of authority, and documenting lessons learned are valuable, they do not offer the continuous oversight and opportunity for course correction that stage-gate reviews do.

According to the web search results, the CEO is accountable for providing sponsorship for the IT-enabled change across the enterprise. The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in the organization, and has the authority and responsibility to lead the strategic direction and vision of the enterprise. The CEO also has the power and influence to allocate resources, prioritize initiatives, resolve conflicts, and communicate with stakeholders. Therefore, the CEO is the best person to provide sponsorship for the ERP implementation, which is a major and complex IT-enabled change that affects the entire enterprise12.

The other options are not as accountable as the CEO for providing sponsorship for the IT-enabled change across the enterprise. The HR director is responsible for managing the human resources functions of the organization, such as recruitment, training, compensation, and performance management. The HR director may support the ERP implementation by facilitating change management, employee engagement, and organizational development, but does not have the same level of authority and accountability as the CEO3. The IT strategy committee is a group of senior executives from different business units that provide guidance and oversight for the IT strategy and governance of the organization. The IT strategy committee may advise and approve the ERP implementation, but does not have the same level of leadership and visibility as the CEO4. The CIO is responsible for managing the IT functions of the organization, such as planning, implementing, and operating the IT systems and services. The CIO may lead and execute the ERP implementation, but does not have the same level of responsibility and influence as the CEO.

References: 1: What Is A Project Sponsor & Do You Need One When Implementing ERP?1 2: Building a Successful ERP Implementation Team | NetSuite2 3: What Does an HR Director Do? | Indeed.com 4: What Is an IT Strategy Committee? | Bizfluent : What is a CIO? Everything you need to know about the Chief Information Officer explained | ZDNet

Requiring the business to help define IT goals is the best way to establish alignment between business and IT when the IT department has been operating independently of business concerns. This collaborative approach ensures that IT initiatives are directly linked to business objectives, facilitating strategic alignment and ensuring that IT supports and enhances business operations. While IT defining business objectives, business funding IT services, and both defining risks are important, the foundational step for alignment is integrating business perspectives into the definition of IT goals.

Assigning information risk to a department without designating an individual owner is most likely to have a negative impact on accountability for information risk ownership. This lack of individual accountability can lead to ambiguities in responsibility, making it difficult to ensure that appropriate risk management actions are taken and followed up on. When an individual owner is clearly identified, it establishes direct responsibility and accountability, improving the effectiveness of risk management practices. While the scenarios described in the other options present challenges, the absence of a specific individual owner represents a fundamental weakness in establishing clear accountability for managing information risk.

The best way to address the risk associated with new IT investments is to integrate security requirements at the beginning of projects. This means that security is considered as a key factor in the planning, design, development and testing phases of IT projects. By doing so, organizations can ensure that security is built into the IT solutions, rather than added as an afterthought. This can help to prevent or reduce security vulnerabilities, breaches, incidents and costs. Integrating security requirements at the beginning of projects is also consistent with the IT risk management frameworks that recommend a proactive and preventive approach to IT risk management12. References := Proactive IT Risk Management in an Era of Emerging Technologies, IT Risk Management Process & Frameworks

A communication plan is a document that outlines the objectives, strategies, tactics, and messages for communicating with a specific audience. A communication plan for disseminating information regarding the technical risks of BYOD should include the following elements12:

• The purpose and goals of the communication
• The target audience and their needs and preferences
• The key messages and tone of the communication
• The communication channels and methods
• The roles and responsibilities of the communicators
• The timeline and frequency of the communication
• The evaluation and feedback mechanisms

The most important element to include in this communication plan is the key messages, which should convey the potential exposures and impacts of BYOD using common terms that the audience can understand. The key messages should explain what BYOD is, why it is important, what are the benefits and challenges, what are the risks and threats, how to protect the devices and data, and what are the best practices and policies. The key messages should also be consistent, clear, concise, relevant, and engaging12.

The other options are not as important as the key messages, as they are either supporting or secondary elements of the communication plan. A link on the corporate intranet to the BYOD policy is a communication channel, which is a means of delivering the message, but not the message itself. A schedule and content for mandatory training is a communication tactic, which is a specific action or activity to implement the strategy, but not the strategy itself. Disciplinary actions for violation of the BYOD policy is a message detail, which is a specific piece of information to support the message, but not the message itself.

References: 1: How to Write a Communication Plan: A Start-to-Finish Guide3 2: How to Create a Communication Plan (with Pictures) - wikiHow4

A balanced scorecard is a tool that helps to measure and communicate the value of IT initiatives to the board of directors. It aligns IT objectives with business goals, tracks performance indicators, and shows the contribution of IT to the enterprise value. A balanced scorecard can also help to identify gaps and areas for improvement in IT governance. References := CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.3: Value Delivery Frameworks and Mechanisms, pp. 103-105.

Organizational responsibility for IT risk management is a critical factor for the success of the program. Without clear roles and responsibilities, the program may lack accountability, coordination, communication and alignment with the business objectives. The other options are not as concerning as option A, because they do not affect the core of the program. Having risk management-related certifications is desirable, but not mandatory, for the IT risk management team. Monitoring only a few key risk indicators (KRIs) is acceptable, as long as they are relevant and meaningful for the program. Retaining IT risk training records is important, but not essential, for the program effectiveness. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.2: IT Risk Management, p. 113-114.

The best approach for a CIO to ensure IT executes against an approved strategy is to request IT senior leaders to collectively plan tactics for execution. This collaborative approach leverages the expertise and insights of senior IT leaders to develop a cohesive and aligned plan that supports the strategic objectives. Collective planning fosters ownership and commitment among leaders, ensuring that execution tactics are well-coordinated and aligned with the overall IT strategy. While asking project management to define activities, having leaders independently develop team goals, and providing specific task direction are important, the collective planning by IT senior leaders ensures a strategic and unified approach to execution.

• This is because enterprise architecture (EA) is a practice that helps organizations align their IT systems and processes with their business objectives. EA provides a holistic and integrated view of the current and future state of the organization’s IT infrastructure, as well as the gaps, issues, and opportunities for improvement1. By using EA, the organization can:

EA can help the organization plan for the necessary IT investments in a systematic and structured way, and ensure that they are aligned with the business vision and value.

The other options, risk assessment report, business user satisfaction metrics, and audit findings are not as useful as enterprise architecture (EA) for planning for the necessary IT investments. They are more related to the evaluation and monitoring of the IT performance, rather than the planning and alignment of the IT strategy. They may also provide limited or partial information about the IT infrastructure, rather than a comprehensive and integrated view. They may also depend on external factors or standards that may not be relevant or applicable to the organization’s specific context and needs.

The best way to ensure that security risk is properly addressed when implementing an information security policy exception process is to confirm process owners’ acceptance of residual risk. Residual risk is the risk that remains after applying controls or mitigating measures to reduce the original risk1. Process owners are the individuals or groups that are responsible for the design, execution, and performance of a business process2. By confirming process owners’ acceptance of residual risk, the enterprise can ensure that the security risk associated with the policy exception is understood, acknowledged, and agreed upon by the relevant stakeholders. This can also help to assign accountability and liability for the potential consequences of the policy exception, as well as to monitor and review the risk level and the effectiveness of the controls or mitigating measures. The other options are not as effective as confirming process owners’ acceptance of residual risk for ensuring that security risk is properly addressed when implementing an information security policy exception process. Performing an internal and external network penetration test is a useful technique for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure, but it does not address the specific security risk related to the policy exception. Obtaining IT security approval on security policy exceptions is a necessary step for validating and authorizing the policy exception, but it does not ensure that the process owners are aware of and accept the residual risk. Benchmarking policy against industry best practice is a good practice for comparing and improving the policy quality and performance, but it does not address the security risk associated with the policy exception.

The best way for IT to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements is to enforce IT policies and procedures that align with the compliance standards and guidelines. IT policies and procedures are the documents that define the roles, responsibilities, rules, and expectations for the IT function and its activities. They help to ensure that the IT systems and processes are secure, reliable, efficient, and consistent with the business objectives and legal obligations. By enforcing IT policies and procedures, IT can demonstrate its compliance with regulatory requirements and avoid violations, penalties, or reputational damage. The other options are not as effective as enforcing IT policies and procedures for achieving compliance with regulatory requirements. Creating an IT project portfolio is a good practice for managing IT investments and resources, but it does not guarantee compliance with regulatory requirements. Reviewing an IT performance dashboard is a useful technique for monitoring and measuring IT performance and value delivery, but it does not ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Reporting on IT audit findings and action plans is a necessary step for improving IT governance and control processes, but it does not achieve compliance with regulatory requirements. References := What is IT Compliance? - Checklist, Guidelines & More | Proofpoint US, 6 Common IT Compliance Standards (A Guide to the Basics), Here’s Why Regulatory Compliance is Important - Reciprocity

 Value delivery is the best indicator of the effectiveness of IT governance in an enterprise because it measures how well IT supports the business objectives and creates value for the stakeholders. The other options are important aspects of IT governance, but they are not as comprehensive as value delivery. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, Chapter 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.2: Principles of IT Governance, p. 9.

When conducting a risk assessment in support of a new regulatory requirement, the IT risk committee should first consider the risk profile of the enterprise. Understanding the overall risk landscape, including existing vulnerabilities, threats, and the impact of potential risks, provides a foundation for evaluating how new regulatory requirements will affect the organization. This initial step ensures that subsequent risk management efforts, including compliance activities, are aligned with the enterprise's risk appetite and strategic objectives. While cost, system readiness, and operational disruption are important considerations, they should be evaluated in the context of the enterprise's risk profile.

Principles and policies are the best way to convey IT governance direction and objectives, as they provide a clear and consistent framework for decision making, behavior, and actions in the organization. Principles are the fundamental statements that guide the IT governance process and reflect the values and beliefs of the organization. Policies are the specific rules and procedures that implement the principles and ensure compliance with the IT governance objectives12.

Skills and competencies are the abilities and knowledge that enable the IT staff to perform their roles and responsibilities effectively. They are important for achieving IT governance objectives, but they do not convey them directly. Skills and competencies are developed through training, education, and experience3.

Corporate culture is the shared set of norms, beliefs, and values that influence the behavior and attitudes of the organization’s members. Corporate culture can support or hinder IT governance, depending on how well it aligns with the IT governance objectives. Corporate culture is influenced by leadership, communication, and incentives4.

Business processes are the activities and tasks that deliver value to the organization’s customers and stakeholders. Business processes are aligned with the IT governance objectives to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. Business processes are designed, executed, monitored, and improved using various methods and tools5.

References: 1: What is IT governance? A formal way to align IT & business strategy | CIO1 2: IT Governance: Definition, Frameworks, and Best Practices - InvGate2 3: IT Governance Framework in ITSM - KnowledgeHut4 4: Corporate governance of information technology - Wikipedia3 5: What Is IT Governance? Definition, Practices and Frameworks5

When determining the process for meeting an internal health organization's legal and regulatory obligations following a data breach, the most important consideration is the context of the breach, including data ownership and location. Understanding who owns the breached data and where it was stored or processed is crucial for determining jurisdictional and regulatory requirements. This context informs the organization's legal obligations, such as notification requirements and potential liabilities. While organizational structure, data classification, security policy, and details of the breach and incident response efforts are relevant, the context of the breach is paramount in guiding the legal and regulatory response.

Utilizing a capability maturity model is the best way for a CIO to assess the consistency of IT processes against industry benchmarks and determine where to focus improvement initiatives. Capability maturity models provide a structured framework for evaluating the maturity of an organization's processes in comparison to industry best practices. This approach helps identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, guiding strategic decisions on where to allocate resources for process enhancements. While balanced scorecards, key performance measures, and IT process audit results are useful, a capability maturity model offers a comprehensive assessment specifically designed for process improvement.

 An updated business case for IT resourcing is a document that provides the rationale and justification for the proposed changes in the IT staff structure, such as the number, roles, skills, and costs of the IT personnel. An updated business case for IT resourcing should align with the IT strategy and objectives, as well as the business needs and expectations. An updated business case for IT resourcing should also include the benefits, risks, and impacts of the IT staff restructure, as well as the alternatives and recommendations12.

The other options are not as effective as an updated business case for IT resourcing to support an IT staff restructure. Established IT key performance indicators (KPIs) are measures that evaluate the performance and outcomes of the IT department, such as service quality, customer satisfaction, project delivery, and innovation. Established IT KPIs are important for monitoring and reporting the IT results and achievements, but they do not necessarily support an IT staff restructure, unless they are linked to the proposed changes in the IT staff structure3. IT staff training program requirements are specifications that define the learning needs and objectives of the IT personnel, such as skills development, knowledge enhancement, and career advancement. IT staff training program requirements are beneficial for improving the capabilities and competencies of the IT staff, but they do not directly support an IT staff restructure, unless they are aligned with the new roles and responsibilities of the IT personnel4. External IT staffing benchmarks are standards or best practices that compare the IT staff structure of other organizations or industries, such as staffing ratios, skill levels, or salary ranges. External IT staffing benchmarks are useful for assessing and improving the competitiveness and efficiency of the IT department, but they do not adequately support an IT staff restructure, unless they are customized and adapted to the specific context and situation of the organization5.

References: 1: How to Write a Business Case: 4 Steps to a Perfect Business Case Template - ProjectManager.com 2: How to Write a Business Case ― 4 Steps to a Perfect Business Case Template | Workfront 3: 18 Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Examples Defined - ClearPoint Strategy 4: How to Create an Effective Training Program: 8 Steps to Success - Convergence Training Blog 5: How to Benchmark Your Staffing Levels - HR Daily Advisor

Enterprise architecture (EA) is the most useful in developing IT strategic plans aligned with technological needs because it provides a holistic view of the current and desired state of the organization, including its business processes, information systems, data, applications, infrastructure, and security. EA helps to align the organization’s vision, strategy, and goals with its IT capabilities and resources. EA also helps to identify the gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement in the existing IT environment and to design and implement the optimal IT solutions that can support the business needs and objectives. EA can help to ensure that the IT strategic plans are consistent, coherent, and feasible12.

A business impact analysis (BIA) is a tool that helps to assess the potential impact of a disruption or change on the business objectives, processes, and functions. A BIA can help to prioritize the criticality of the IT resources and determine the acceptable level of risk and recovery time. A BIA can provide a basis for deciding how to allocate the budget, reduce the requirements, or contract external resources3. However, a BIA is not sufficient for developing IT strategic plans aligned with technological needs because it does not provide a comprehensive view of the current and future IT architecture and its alignment with the business strategy.

A business case is a document that describes the rationale and justification for initiating a project or investment. A business case can help to evaluate the costs, benefits, risks, and alternatives of different IT options and to communicate the value proposition to the stakeholders4. However, a business case is not enough for developing IT strategic plans aligned with technological needs because it does not provide a holistic view of the current and future IT architecture and its alignment with the business strategy.

A benchmark analysis is a process of comparing the performance, quality, or practices of an organization with those of its peers or competitors. A benchmark analysis can help to identify the best practices, standards, or trends in the industry and to measure the gap between the current and desired state of an organization. However, a benchmark analysis is not adequate for developing IT strategic plans aligned with technological needs because it does not provide a holistic view of the current and future IT architecture and its alignment with the business strategy.

References := Implement Agile IT Strategic Planning with Enterprise Architecture, The Benefits of Enterprise Architecture in Organizational Transformation, Business Impact Analysis, Business Case, [Benchmark Analysis]

• This is because continuous testing of disaster recovery capabilities can help to evaluate and validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the disaster recovery plan, identify and address any gaps or issues, and implement any improvements or adjustments based on the lessons learned1. Continuous testing can also help to ensure that the disaster recovery plan is aligned with the current and future business needs and expectations, and that the disaster recovery team and stakeholders are familiar and prepared with their roles and responsibilities1.
• B. Increased training and monitoring for disaster recovery personnel who perform below expectations. This is not the best way to enable the enterprise to accomplish the objective of improving its disaster recovery capabilities, as it only focuses on one aspect of the disaster recovery plan, which is the human factor. While training and monitoring are important for enhancing the skills and performance of the disaster recovery personnel, they are not sufficient to address the other aspects of the disaster recovery plan, such as the technology, process, and communication factors2. Moreover, increased training and monitoring may not be effective if they are not based on a clear and comprehensive assessment of the disaster recovery capabilities and outcomes.
• C. Annual review and updates to the disaster recovery plan (DRP). This is not the best way to enable the enterprise to accomplish the objective of improving its disaster recovery capabilities, as it may not be frequent or timely enough to capture and respond to the changing business environment and requirements. An annual review and update may also be insufficient to test and validate the disaster recovery plan, as it may not cover all possible scenarios or situations that could occur in a real disaster3. A more agile and adaptive approach to reviewing and updating the disaster recovery plan is recommended, such as using a continuous improvement cycle or a stage-gate process4.
• D. Increased outsourcing of disaster recovery capabilities to ensure reliability. This is not the best way to enable the enterprise to accomplish the objective of improving its disaster recovery capabilities, as it may introduce new risks and challenges for the enterprise, such as loss of control, dependency, compatibility, security, compliance, and cost issues5. Outsourcing some or all of the disaster recovery capabilities may also reduce the involvement and ownership of the enterprise’s internal staff and stakeholders in the disaster recovery planning process, which could affect their commitment and readiness in case of a disaster5. Outsourcing should be carefully considered and evaluated based on the specific needs and circumstances of the enterprise, and should be complemented by a robust governance and management framework5.

Performing a business impact analysis (BIA) is the first course of action when a shortfall of IT resources is identified because it helps to assess the potential impact of the resource gap on the business processes, objectives, and goals. A BIA can also help to prioritize the criticality of the IT resources, identify the minimum acceptable levels of service, and determine the recovery strategies and resource requirements. A BIA can provide a basis for making informed decisions on how to allocate the available IT resources or acquire additional resources to close the gap.

References:

• According to ISACA’s CGEIT Review Manual 2021, one of the key activities for ensuring effective IT resource management is to "perform a business impact analysis (BIA) to identify and prioritize critical IT resources."1
• According to ISACA’s COBIT 2019 Framework, one of the governance objectives for managing IT resources is to "ensure that a BIA is performed to determine the required level of availability, continuity and security of IT services and data."2
• According to ISACA’s Business Continuity Management guide, one of the steps for developing a business continuity plan is to "conduct a BIA to identify the critical business processes and IT resources that support them."3

Final approval for accepting the associated IT risk should be obtained from the business sponsor. This is because the business sponsor is the person or group who initiates, funds, and owns the business case for the mobile sales channel project1. The business sponsor is responsible for defining the business objectives, benefits, and requirements of the project, and for ensuring its alignment with the enterprise strategy1. The business sponsor is also accountable for the outcomes and value of the project, and for managing the risks and issues that may affect its success1. Therefore, the business sponsor should have the authority and responsibility to approve the IT risk associated with the mobile sales channel project, as it may impact the business performance and value.

The other options, risk manager, chief information officer (CIO), and IT steering committee are not the best choices for obtaining final approval for accepting the associated IT risk. They are more involved in the identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring of IT risks, rather than their acceptance2. They may also have different perspectives and interests than the business sponsor regarding the IT risk associated with the mobile sales channel project. For example, the risk manager may focus on minimizing or avoiding IT risks, while the CIO may focus on maximizing or exploiting IT opportunities. The IT steering committee may have a broader view of IT risks across multiple projects and programs, rather than a specific one. Therefore, they may not have the final say or decision on accepting the IT risk associated with the mobile sales channel project.

• This is because performance metrics are measurable values that indicate how well the IT assets are performing in terms of functionality, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness1. By implementing performance metrics for key IT assets, the organization can:

Implementing performance metrics for key IT assets can help the organization determine the contribution of IT assets in achievement of IT goals, and ensure that they deliver value to the business.

The other options, establishing the span of control during the life cycle of IT assets, determining the average cost of controls for protection of IT assets, and comparing the performance of IT assets against industry best practices are not as beneficial as determining the contribution of IT assets in achievement of IT goals for implementing performance metrics for key IT assets. They are more related to specific aspects or outcomes of IT asset management, rather than a holistic and strategic benefit. They may also not be relevant or applicable to all types or categories of IT assets. They may not address the full scope or potential of IT asset improvement and optimization. References := What Is an IT Asset Management KPI? | Filewave, Performance Measurement Metrics for IT Governance - ISACA

Following a re-prioritization of business objectives by management, the first step to allocate resources to IT processes should be to update the IT strategy. This ensures that the IT strategic plan remains aligned with the overall business direction and objectives. An updated IT strategy will reflect the new priorities and guide the allocation of resources to support the revised business goals effectively. Refining the human resource management plan, implementing a RACI model, and performing a maturity assessment are important actions but should follow the strategic alignment to ensure that all IT efforts and resources are directed towards achieving the updated business objectives.

• This is because IT is a key enabler and driver of business strategy, and it needs to understand and align with the strategic vision, goals, and priorities of the enterprise1. By ensuring IT has knowledgeable representation and is included in the strategic planning process, the enterprise can:
• B. Increase the IT budget and approve an IT staff level increase to ensure resource availability for the strategy change. This is not the first step to prepare for the change in the enterprise’s board of directors’ strategy, as it may be premature or unnecessary to do so without a clear understanding and agreement of the scope, impact, and implications of the strategy change. Increasing the IT budget and staff level may also create inefficiencies or wastages if they are not aligned with the actual needs and priorities of the strategy change2.
• C. Initiate an IT service awareness campaign to business system owners and implement service level agreements (SLAs). This is not the first step to prepare for the change in the enterprise’s board of directors’ strategy, as it may not be relevant or effective to do so without a clear definition and communication of the strategy change. Initiating an IT service awareness campaign and implementing SLAs are more related to the delivery and management of IT services, rather than the planning and alignment of IT strategy3.
• D. Outsource both IT operations and IT development and implement controls based on a standardized framework. This is not the first step to prepare for the change in the enterprise’s board of directors’ strategy, as it may introduce new risks and challenges for IT governance, such as loss of control, dependency, compatibility, security, compliance, and cost issues4. Outsourcing both IT operations and development may also reduce the involvement and ownership of IT in the strategic planning process, which could affect its alignment and responsiveness to the strategy change4. Outsourcing should be carefully considered and evaluated based on the specific needs and circumstances of the enterprise, and should be complemented by a robust governance and management framework4.

Standardization of technical platforms can help optimize infrastructure investments by reducing complexity, increasing interoperability, and enabling economies of scale.

References:

• According to the CGEIT Review Manual 2022, one of the benefits of standardization is that it “optimizes infrastructure investments by reducing complexity and increasing interoperability and scalability.”
• According to the Oracle article on the EA Roadmap to Rationalize, Standardize, and Consolidate IT Assets, standardized technology "yields measurable cost savings through reduced software licenses and the elimination of redundant systems and skill sets."1

The best course of action for the CIO in this scenario is to identify business risk appetite and tolerance levels. Risk appetite is the amount and type of risk that an organization is willing to pursue, retain, or take in order to achieve its strategic objectives. Risk tolerance is the acceptable level of variation from the risk appetite. By identifying the business risk appetite and tolerance levels, the CIO can align the IT strategy and operations with the business goals, needs, and expectations, and ensure that the IT risks are managed within the acceptable boundaries. Identifying the business risk appetite and tolerance levels can also help the CIO to communicate and justify the IT decisions and actions to the senior management, board, and stakeholders, and to balance the costs and benefits of IT investments and initiatives. According to CPG 235 – Managing Data Risk, “The adequacy of data controls in ensuring that a regulated entity operates within its risk appetite would normally be assessed as part of introducing new business processes and then on a regular basis thereafter (or following material change to either the process, usage of data, internal controls or external environments).”

 An information steward is a person who is responsible for ensuring the quality, accuracy, consistency, and usability of the data in an organization. An information steward works with the business users and stakeholders to understand their data needs, requirements, and expectations, and to define and implement the data policies, standards, and rules that govern the data lifecycle. An information steward also monitors and reports on the data quality issues and trends, and initiates and coordinates the data improvement actions and projects12.

The most important attribute of an information steward is to be closely aligned with the business function, because this can help to ensure that the data supports the business goals and objectives, that the data meets the business expectations and requirements, that the data is relevant and useful for the business decisions and actions, and that the data is aligned with the business processes and workflows12.

The information steward does not necessarily manage the systems that process the relevant data, as this may be done by other IT roles, such as data engineers, data analysts, or data administrators. The information steward does not need to have expertise in managing data quality systems, as this may be a technical skill that can be acquired or supported by other IT roles or tools. The information steward does not need to be part of the information architecture group, as this may be a separate function that focuses on designing and maintaining the data structures, models, and standards12. References: Information Steward settings option descriptions - SAP Online Help. What is an Information Steward, and Why You Should Care?. 6 Key Responsibilities of the Invaluable Data Steward - Dun & Bradstreet.

The board of directors’ first course of action when a strategic IT-enabled investment is failing due to unforeseen technology problems should be to assess the business risk and options. This means that the board should evaluate the impact of the technology problems on the business objectives, benefits, costs, and risks of the investment, as well as the feasibility and desirability of alternative courses of action, such as continuing, modifying, suspending, or terminating the investment. This will help the board to make an informed and rational decision based on the best available information and evidence.

The best way to address the issue of duplicate purchases caused by different acquisition methods of business and IT is to establish a centralized procurement approval process. A centralized procurement approval process is a process that organizations use to obtain approval for purchases that they intend to make. The process typically involves several steps, such as identifying a need, requesting a quote, obtaining quotes, and obtaining approval from a designated authority. By centralizing the procurement approval process, the organization can avoid duplication, inconsistency, and inefficiency in purchasing decisions. A centralized procurement approval process can also help the organization to achieve the following benefits :

• Visibility and control: The organization can have a clear view of all purchase requests and transactions, and can monitor and manage the budgets, requesters, and suppliers.
• Better purchasing power: The organization can leverage its volume and history to negotiate better prices and discounts with vendors, and can establish long-term relationships with preferred suppliers.
• Standardization: The organization can implement and enforce policies and standards for data quality, security, privacy, and usage, and can create a single source of truth for purchasing information.
• Eliminates maverick spending: The organization can identify and prevent individual spending that goes against the purchasing policies or that results in duplicate or unnecessary purchases.

Therefore, establishing a centralized procurement approval process is the best way to address the issue of duplicate purchases caused by different acquisition methods of business and IT. References: Centralized vs. Decentralized Purchasing: Key Differences | Pipefy, Centralizing Procurement: What Companies Need to Consider, What is the Procurement Approval Process: Detailed Guide

Before implementing an information architecture that restricts access to data based on sensitivity, the enterprise must establish the classification and ownership of the data. Classification is the process of tagging data according to its type, sensitivity, and value to the organization if altered, stolen, or destroyed. It helps the organization understand the risk and impact of data breaches and comply with relevant regulations. Ownership is the process of assigning roles and responsibilities for data creation, maintenance, protection, and disposal. It helps the organization ensure accountability and governance of data throughout its lifecycle

 Quality management is the most important aspect of an IT governance framework to ensure that IT supports repeatable business processes, as it involves defining, implementing, and monitoring quality standards, policies, and procedures for IT products and services. Quality management also ensures that IT processes are aligned with the enterprise requirements, objectives, and expectations, and that they deliver consistent and reliable outcomes12. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic C: Technology Governance, Task 2: Ensure that IT processes are defined, implemented, monitored and continually improved in alignment with the enterprise governance framework.

Identifying gaps in information asset protection should be the first high-level initiative for a newly created IT strategy committee in order to support the business goal of making IT security a priority. This initiative would help to assess the current state of IT security, identify the risks and vulnerabilities that may compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets, and determine the actions and resources needed to address them. The other options are not as high-level, as they are more related to the implementation or execution of IT security, rather than the planning or direction of it. References: : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.3: Strategic Management, Subsection 1.3.2: Strategic Management Process, Page 23 : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.3: IT Risk Management, Subsection 4.3.2: IT Risk Management Process, Page 156 : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Resource Optimization, Section 5.3: Security Resource Management, Subsection 5.3.1: Security Resource Management Overview, Page 192 : What is CGEIT? A certification for seasoned IT governance professionals1

 Information architecture (IA) is the practice of structuring and presenting the parts of something — whether that’s a website, mobile app, blog post, book, or brick-and-mortar store — to users so that it’s easy to understand. IA can help users find information and complete tasks1.

An enterprise that has ineffective information architecture may suffer from poor business decisions, because it may not be able to access, analyze, or use the data and information that are relevant, accurate, consistent, and timely for decision making. Poor business decisions can lead to negative consequences, such as losing customers, market share, revenue, or competitive advantage, or facing legal, financial, reputational, or operational risks23.

Some examples of how ineffective information architecture can impact business decisions are:

• If the enterprise’s website has a confusing or inconsistent navigation system, users may not be able to find the information they need or want, such as product details, prices, reviews, or contact information. This can result in lower customer satisfaction, engagement, conversion, and retention14.
• If the enterprise’s data is stored in multiple systems or platforms that are not integrated or interoperable, users may not be able to access or share the data across different departments or functions. This can result in data silos, duplication, inconsistency, or incompleteness25.
• If the enterprise’s data is not labeled or categorized properly, users may not be able to search or filter the data effectively. This can result in data overload, irrelevance, or obscurity25.
• If the enterprise’s data is not governed or managed properly, users may not be able to trust or verify the data quality or integrity. This can result in data errors, inaccuracies, or biases25.

Therefore, an enterprise that has ineffective information architecture may have poor business decisions as its greatest impact. References: Information Architecture Basics | Usability.gov. The Importance of Information Architecture to UX Design. How Enterprise Architecture Can Help You Eliminate Technical Debt. What Is Information Architecture & Why Does It Matter? - HubSpot Blog. Why Do We Need Information Architecture - Architecture.

 The use of an IT balanced scorecard enables the realization of business value of IT through outcome measures and performance drivers. Outcome measures are the indicators of the results or consequences of the IT activities, such as customer satisfaction, revenue growth, or market share. Performance drivers are the factors that influence or contribute to the outcome measures, such as process efficiency, quality, or innovation. By using an IT balanced scorecard, the organization can link the outcome measures and performance drivers to the IT objectives, strategies, and actions, and monitor and evaluate how well IT delivers value to the business

Delaying the control review of a payroll system project until after its implementation increases the risk of discovering control weaknesses or errors that could have been prevented or corrected earlier. This would result in increased cost to mitigate the deficiencies and ensure the system’s reliability and compliance. References: CGEIT Domain 4: Risk Optimization

The most important action to address the concern of executive management about the current strategy of executing projects as they are submitted is to create a combined business/IT committee to determine project prioritization. This action will help to ensure that the IT projects are aligned with the enterprise’s objectives, strategies, and values, and that they deliver the highest value and impact to the business and the customers. A combined business/IT committee can also facilitate the communication, collaboration, and coordination among the stakeholders involved in the IT projects, and resolve any conflicts or issues that may arise. A combined business/IT committee can use various project prioritization methods, such as scoring models, prioritization matrices, payback periods, or portfolio dashboards, to evaluate and rank the IT projects based on criteria such as business value, urgency, feasibility, risk, and resource availability

The best course of action to enable effective resource management is to assign resources based on business priorities. Resource management is the process of enhancing efficiency and guiding the use of such project-critical resources as employees, equipment, and tools1. To manage resources effectively, it is important to align them with the business objectives and goals, and to allocate them according to the urgency and importance of the tasks2. By assigning resources based on business priorities, the organization can ensure that the most critical and valuable projects are completed on time and within budget, and that the resources are used optimally and productively3. References: 10 Best Practices for Effective Resource Management - Float2, What Is Resource Management? Definition, Jobs, and More1, 10 Key Principles of Effective Resource Management - eResource Scheduler3

The primary objective for performing an IT due diligence review prior to the acquisition of a competitor is to assess the status of the risk profile of the competitor. IT due diligence is a process that evaluates the technology assets, capabilities, processes, and security of a target company. It helps to identify any potential risks, liabilities, gaps, or issues that could affect the value, integration, or performance of the acquisition. IT due diligence also helps to determine the synergies, opportunities, and costs of combining or separating the IT systems and resources of both companies. By conducting an IT due diligence review, the acquirer can gain a comprehensive understanding of the competitor’s IT environment and make informed decisions about the deal.

Documenting the competitor’s governance structure, ensuring that the competitor understands significant IT risks, and determining whether the competitor is using industry-accepted practices are not the primary objectives for performing an IT due diligence review. These are possible outcomes or benefits of the review, but they are not the main purpose or goal. The primary objective is to assess the risk profile of the competitor and its impact on the acquisition.

References := IT Due Diligence Checklist: Must-Assess Technology Elements Prior to Any Acquisition - Performance Improvement Partners Blog, Introduction section. IT Due Diligence: How to Do It Right (+ Checklist) - DealRoom, What is IT due diligence? section. IT Due Diligence | Optimising IT, Introduction section. Reviewing It In Due Diligence, Overview section.

The primary reason this situation should be escalated to the IT steering committee is B. Ethical concerns. This is because using data for a purpose that is outside the original intention may violate the principle of purpose limitation, which states that personal data should be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes1. Using data for a different purpose may also breach the trust and expectations of the individuals who provided the data, and may harm their rights and interests. Therefore, the IT director should consult the IT steering committee, which is a group of senior executives who are responsible for developing and enforcing the organization’s IT priorities and policies2, to determine whether the new use of data is ethical, lawful, and transparent. The IT steering committee should also consider the following aspects before making a decision:

• The link between the original purpose and the new/upcoming purpose: How closely related are the two purposes? Is the new purpose compatible with the original purpose or does it contradict it?
• The context in which the data was collected: What was the relationship between the organization and the individuals at the time of data collection? What did the individuals consent to or expect from the data processing?
• The type and nature of the data: Is the data sensitive, personal, or confidential? Does it reveal any information about the individuals’ identity, preferences, behavior, or opinions?
• The possible consequences of the intended further processing: How will the new use of data affect the individuals and the organization? Will it benefit or harm them? Will it create any risks or opportunities?
• The existence of appropriate safeguards: What measures are in place to protect and manage the data according to the data protection principles and standards? How can the data quality, security, privacy, and compliance be ensured or improved?

By escalating this situation to the IT steering committee, the IT director can ensure that the ethical implications of using data for another purpose are properly assessed and addressed.

The role that has primary accountability for the security related to data assets is the data owner. A data owner is a person who is generally in a senior company position, responsible for the categorization, protection, usage, and quality of one or more data sets1. The data owner must ensure that the information within their domain is correctly maintained across various platforms and business processes, and that it is secured from unauthorized access and misuse2. The data owner also has the authority to grant or revoke access rights to the data, and to define and enforce data security policies and standards3. Therefore, the data owner is the primary accountable role for the security related to data assets. References: Data Owners vs. Data Stewards vs. Data Custodians - CPO Magazine2, CISSP domain 2: Asset security - Infosec Resources

The aspect of the transition from X-rays to digital images that would be best addressed by implementing information security policy and procedures is protecting personal health information. This is because personal health information is a type of sensitive data that contains confidential and private information about patients, such as their medical history, diagnosis, treatment, and identity. Personal health information is subject to various legal and ethical obligations and regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US1, that require its protection from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or destruction. Information security policy and procedures can help to define the rules, guidelines, and responsibilities for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal health information in digital form.

Establishing data retention procedures is not the best answer, as it is only one component of information security policy and procedures. Data retention procedures specify how long and where digital images should be stored, archived, or deleted, based on the business, legal, and regulatory requirements. Data retention procedures can help to optimize the storage capacity, performance, and cost of digital images, as well as comply with the applicable laws and regulations. However, data retention procedures do not address the full scope of information security policy and procedures.

Training technicians on acceptable use policy is not the best answer, as it is only one aspect of information security policy and procedures. Acceptable use policy defines what are the permitted and prohibited behaviors and actions for using digital images and related IT resources. Training technicians on acceptable use policy can help to educate them on the security risks and best practices for handling digital images, as well as enforce compliance and accountability. However, training technicians on acceptable use policy does not cover the entire range of information security policy and procedures.

Minimizing the impact of hospital operation disruptions on patient care is not the best answer, as it is a business continuity objective rather than an information security objective. Business continuity refers to the ability of an organization to maintain or resume its critical functions and processes in the event of a disruption or disaster. Minimizing the impact of hospital operation disruptions on patient care can help to ensure the safety, quality, and efficiency of health services delivery. However, minimizing the impact of hospital operation disruptions on patient care is not directly related to information security policy and procedures.

References := HIPAA Privacy Rule | HHS.gov, Introduction section. Information Security Policy: Definition & Examples - NetApp, What Is an Information Security Policy? section. Data Retention Policy: Definition & Best Practices - NetApp, What Is a Data Retention Policy? section. Acceptable Use Policy: Definition & Best Practices - NetApp, What Is an Acceptable Use Policy? section. [Business Continuity Management: Definition & Best Practices - NetApp], What Is Business Continuity Management? section.

A business case evaluation is the best input for prioritizing strategic IT improvement initiatives because it provides a clear and objective assessment of the costs, benefits, risks, and value of each initiative. A business case evaluation helps to compare different options and select the ones that align with the organization’s goals, strategy, and budget. A business case evaluation also helps to justify the investment and secure the support and approval from the stakeholders.

A business dependency assessment is a process that identifies the critical business functions and processes that rely on IT services and resources. It helps to determine the impact of IT disruptions or failures on the business continuity and recovery. A business dependency assessment is useful for IT risk management and disaster recovery planning, but not for prioritizing strategic IT improvement initiatives.

A business process analysis is a method that examines the current state of the business processes, identifies the gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement, and proposes solutions to optimize the processes. A business process analysis helps to streamline the workflows, reduce costs, increase quality, and enhance customer satisfaction. A business process analysis is valuable for IT process improvement and automation, but not for prioritizing strategic IT improvement initiatives.

A business impact analysis (BIA) is a technique that evaluates the potential consequences of a disruption or disaster on the organization’s operations, assets, reputation, and stakeholders. It helps to estimate the financial and nonfinancial losses, recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives, and criticality levels of each business function and process. A BIA is essential for IT business continuity management and contingency planning, but not for prioritizing strategic IT improvement initiatives.

References := IT Strategy Examples & Best Practices — IT Companies Network, How to create an IT strategy plan section. What is an IT Roadmap? | Benefits and Roadmap Examples - ProductPlan, How to Prioritize Your IT Roadmap section. 7 ways to make IT operations more efficient | CIO, Use data to increase visibility section.

Ensuring the commitment of stakeholders is the most important consideration to effectively influence organizational and process change, as it involves engaging and communicating with the key parties who have an interest or influence in the IT governance structure. Stakeholder commitment can help to overcome resistance, gain support, and ensure alignment and collaboration among the enterprise units1. Stakeholder commitment can also facilitate the adoption and implementation of the IT governance framework, policies, and standards . References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 3: Ensure that stakeholder needs, conditions and options are evaluated to determine balanced, agreed-on enterprise objectives to be achieved; setting direction through prioritization and decision making; and monitoring performance and compliance against agreed-on direction and objectives.

The first step to address the risk of unauthorized disclosure of information is to establish a data classification policy. A data classification policy defines the categories of data based on their sensitivity and value to the organization, and specifies the appropriate security controls and handling procedures for each category. A data classification policy helps to identify the most critical and confidential data, and to prioritize the protection of such data from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or loss. A data classification policy also provides a basis for implementing other measures, such as data encryption tools, data loss prevention tools, and data retention policy, to enhance the security of data. References := Reducing Cybersecurity Security Risk From and to Third Parties; Unauthorized Access: Prevention Best Practices; Security of Enterprise Application Integration

The best justification for the enterprise’s decision to accept the IT risk of a subsidiary located in another country even though it exceeds the enterprise’s risk appetite would be compliance with local regulations. This is because local regulations may impose different or stricter requirements on the subsidiary’s IT operations, such as data protection, cybersecurity, or privacy laws. Compliance with local regulations may be mandatory or beneficial for the subsidiary to operate legally and effectively in the foreign market. Therefore, the enterprise may decide to accept the IT risk of the subsidiary as a trade-off for complying with local regulations and avoiding potential penalties or reputational damage12.

The other options are less convincing than option C, as they do not provide a strong rationale for accepting the IT risk of the subsidiary. Risk framework alignment is the process of ensuring that the subsidiary’s IT risk management practices are consistent and compatible with the enterprise’s IT risk management framework. While this may help to improve the communication and coordination of IT risk management across the enterprise, it does not justify accepting the IT risk of the subsidiary that exceeds the enterprise’s risk appetite. Local market common practices are the norms and standards that prevail in the foreign market where the subsidiary operates. While these may influence the subsidiary’s IT risk management decisions, they do not necessarily override the enterprise’s risk appetite or strategy. Technical gaps among subsidiaries are the differences or discrepancies in the IT systems, processes, or capabilities of different subsidiaries within the enterprise. While these may pose challenges or risks for the enterprise’s IT governance and performance, they do not explain why the enterprise would accept the IT risk of a subsidiary that exceeds its risk appetite.

Requesting an IT security assessment to identify the main security gaps is the IT governance board’s first course of action, as it helps to understand the root causes and the extent of the information security incidents that have affected the enterprise’s business reputation. An IT security assessment can also provide recommendations and best practices for improving the security posture and reducing the risks of future incidents12. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 4, Subtopic B: IT Risk Management, Task 1: Ensure that an IT risk management framework exists to identify, analyze, mitigate, manage, monitor, and communicate IT-related business risk, and that the framework for IT risk management is in alignment with the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.

The most important factor to effectively initiate IT-enabled change is to obtain top management support and ownership. This is because top management can provide the vision, direction, resources, and authority for the change, as well as communicate the benefits and urgency of the change to the rest of the organization. Top management support and ownership can also help to overcome resistance, align stakeholders, and ensure accountability and governance for the change. According to a McKinsey survey1, having active and visible executive sponsorship is the most important practice for successful digital transformations.

Establishing a change management process is also important, but not the most important factor. A change management process can help to plan, execute, monitor, and control the change activities, as well as address the human side of the change. However, without top management support and ownership, a change management process may not be effective or sustainable.

Ensuring compliance with corporate policy is also important, but not the most important factor. Compliance with corporate policy can help to ensure that the change is consistent with the organization’s values, standards, and regulations, as well as avoid legal or ethical issues. However, compliance with corporate policy may not be sufficient or relevant for initiating IT-enabled change, especially if the policy is outdated or incompatible with the change objectives.

Benchmarking against best practices is also important, but not the most important factor. Benchmarking against best practices can help to identify gaps, opportunities, and solutions for improving the organization’s performance and competitiveness through IT-enabled change. However, benchmarking against best practices may not be applicable or feasible for initiating IT-enabled change, especially if the change is innovative or disruptive.

References := The Magic Bullet Theory in IT-Enabled Transformation, Introduction section. The keys to a successful digital transformation | McKinsey, The anatomy of digital transformations section. Best Practices in Change Management - Prosci, Introduction section.

Data storage and transmission policies are documents that define the rules and guidelines for how data is stored, accessed, shared, and transmitted within and outside an organization. Data storage and transmission policies can help to ensure the security, privacy, compliance, and quality of the data, as well as to prevent data loss, leakage, or breach12.

If an enterprise has decided to utilize a cloud vendor for the first time to provide email as a service, eliminating in-house email capabilities, one of the IT strategic actions that should be triggered by this decision is to update and communicate data storage and transmission policies. This is because using a cloud vendor for email as a service may introduce new risks and challenges for data storage and transmission, such as data sovereignty, data ownership, data encryption, data backup, data retention, data deletion, data access control, data audit, data breach notification, etc34. Therefore, it is important to update the data storage and transmission policies to reflect the changes in the email environment and the cloud vendor’s responsibilities and obligations. It is also important to communicate the updated policies to all relevant stakeholders, such as employees, customers, partners, regulators, etc., to ensure their awareness and compliance12. References: Data Storage Policy: Definition & Best Practices. Data Transmission Policy: Definition & Best Practices. Cloud Email Security: Definition & Best Practices. Cloud Data Protection: Definition & Best Practices.

 Risk management strategies are primarily adopted to achieve acceptable residual risk levels, which are the levels of risk that remain after applying risk response measures. Risk management strategies are the approaches or methods that an organization uses to identify, assess, and treat its IT-related risks. Risk management strategies can vary depending on the organization’s risk appetite, tolerance, and capacity, as well as the nature and impact of the risks. Some common risk management strategies are: avoid, reduce, transfer, share, or accept. The other options are not as primary, as they are more related to the outcomes or objectives of risk management strategies, rather than the purpose or intention of them. References: : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.3: IT Risk Management, Subsection 4.3.1: IT Risk Management Overview, Page 153 : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.3: IT Risk Management, Subsection 4.3.2: IT Risk Management Process, Page 156 : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.3: IT Risk Management, Subsection 4.3.3: IT Risk Management Techniques and Tools, Page 158 : Proactive IT Risk Management in an Era of Emerging Technologies1

 A balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool that measures and monitors the performance of an organization against its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. It uses four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. A balanced scorecard can help evaluate the effectiveness of IT governance by aligning IT activities with business strategies, assessing IT value delivery, identifying IT strengths and weaknesses, and facilitating continuous improvement. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, Subdomain B: Strategic Management, Task 3: Establish and maintain a framework for the governance of enterprise IT to enable the achievement of enterprise objectives.

The most successful IT performance metrics are those that contain objective measures that can be quantified and verified. Objective measures are more reliable, consistent, and repeatable than subjective measures, which may vary depending on the perspective or opinion of the stakeholders. Objective measures also help to align IT performance goals with business goals and to communicate the value of IT to the rest of the organization. According to one source1, a good metric is linear, reliable, repeatable, easy to use, consistent and independent. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2020, page 11; Performance Measurement Metrics for IT Governance

A business case is a document that outlines the rationale, objectives, benefits, costs, risks and alternatives of a proposed IT project. A business case should be reviewed periodically throughout the project life cycle to ensure that the project is still aligned with the enterprise’s strategy and goals, and that the expected benefits are still achievable and realistic. A periodic review of the business case can also help to identify any changes or issues that may affect the project’s scope, schedule, budget or quality, and to take corrective actions accordingly. References: ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 77. A guide to measuring benefits effectively. Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Quick Guide with Examples and Templates.

According to the CGEIT certification guide, the CEO’s first course of action should be to ensure that there is a clear governance framework for outsourcing and that the roles and responsibilities for managing service providers are defined and assigned. This will help to establish accountability, oversight and control over the SaaS solution and its provider. References := CGEIT certification guide, domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, section 1.3: Governance Frameworks, page 17.

The security status of a new business acquisition is a critical factor that can affect the value, performance, and reputation of the acquiring company. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a thorough IT risk assessment of the target company as part of the overall due diligence process. An IT risk assessment can help to identify and evaluate the current and potential cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and controls in the target company’s IT environment, as well as the compliance with relevant laws and regulations. An IT risk assessment can also help to estimate the costs and efforts required to remediate any security gaps or issues, and to align the security policies and standards of both parties. By integrating IT risk assessment into the due diligence process, the acquiring company can make informed decisions about the feasibility, valuation, and integration of the new business acquisition12. References: Due diligence for Mergers and Acquisitions through a cybersecurity lens. Microsoft Security tips for mitigating risk in mergers and acquisitions.

An information governance framework is the structure that provides a holistic overview of the influences that inform how an organisation creates and manages its enterprise-wide information assets (records, information and data)1. It defines the roles, responsibilities, policies, standards, and processes for ensuring effective and secure information management. If a new and expanding enterprise has collected a large amount of data in a short period of time, it may face data breach and privacy risks if it does not have a robust and comprehensive information governance framework in place. Therefore, the IT steering committee’s first course of action should be to assess the current state of the information governance framework, identify any gaps or weaknesses, and implement improvements or changes as needed. This will help the enterprise to protect and preserve its information assets, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and enable ethical and efficient use of information. Mitigating and tracking data-related issues and risks, modifying legal and regulatory data requirements, and defining data protection and privacy practices are important actions, but they are not the first course of action. They are more likely to be part of the implementation or improvement of the information governance framework after it has been assessed. References := Establishing an information governance framework

 Communicating the program to stakeholders to gain consensus is the first step after developing the scope of the IT governance program, as it helps to ensure that the program is aligned with the enterprise goals and objectives, and that it has the support and commitment of the key parties who have an interest or influence in the IT governance. Communication also helps to overcome resistance, address concerns, and foster collaboration among the stakeholders12. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 3: Ensure that stakeholder needs, conditions and options are evaluated to determine balanced, agreed-on enterprise objectives to be achieved; setting direction through prioritization and decision making; and monitoring performance and compliance against agreed-on direction and objectives.

A data governance framework is a set of policies, standards, roles, and processes that define how data is collected, stored, accessed, and used within an enterprise. A data governance framework can help address data protection and least privilege issues by establishing clear rules and responsibilities for data owners, custodians, and users. A data governance framework can also enable data encryption as a key control to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or disclosure. Therefore, mandating the creation of a data governance framework is the best approach to ensure all business units work toward remediating these issues. References: : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.3: IT Risk Management, Subsection 4.3.2: IT Risk Management Process, Page 156 : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 5: Resource Optimization, Section 5.2: Information Resource Management, Subsection 5.2.1: Information Resource Management Overview, Page 183 : A Guide to Selecting and Adopting a Privacy Framework1

 Documenting and communicating key management practices across divisions is the best way to facilitate the adoption of strong IT governance practices throughout a multi-divisional enterprise. This can help to ensure that all divisions are aware of and aligned with the corporate IT governance framework, policies, and standards. It can also promote collaboration, coordination, and consistency among the divisions, as well as transparency, accountability, and trust. According to one of the web search results1, “communication is a critical success factor for IT governance implementation” and “effective communication can help to create a shared understanding of IT governance objectives, roles, responsibilities, and benefits among stakeholders.” Ensuring each divisional policy is consistent with corporate policy, ensuring divisional governance fosters continuous improvement processes, and mandating data standardization across the distributed enterprise are not the best ways to facilitate the adoption of strong IT governance practices throughout a multi-divisional enterprise. They are more likely to be part of the implementation or improvement of IT governance practices, rather than the facilitation of them. They may also encounter resistance or challenges from the divisions due to different business needs, cultures, or preferences. References := IT Governance Practices For Improving Strategic And Operational …

 According to the CGEIT certification guide, key risk indicators (KRIs) are the best way to provide ongoing assurance that significant IT risk is being proactively monitored and does not exceed agreed risk tolerance levels. KRIs are metrics that measure the likelihood or impact of potential or actual risks, and provide early warning signals of increasing risk exposures1. KRIs can help IT management to track and report the status and trends of IT risks, and to trigger timely responses and actions when the risk levels approach or exceed the predefined thresholds2. The other options are less suitable than option C, as they do not provide ongoing assurance or proactive monitoring of IT risk. An IT risk appetite statement is a document that expresses the amount and type of risk that an organization is willing to take in order to meet their strategic objectives3. A risk management policy is a document that defines the principles, framework, and processes for managing risks in an organization. A risk register is a tool that records and tracks the identified risks, their causes, impacts, likelihood, responses, and owners.

References :=

• CGEIT certification guide, domain 3: Risk Optimization, section 3.4: Risk Monitoring and Assurance, page 98.
• Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) - Definition from KWHS
• Risk Appetite - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
• Risk Management Policy - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
• Risk Register - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Enterprise architecture (EA) is a discipline that defines and organizes the components, relationships, principles, and standards of an organization’s IT environment. EA can help to align IT with business strategy and objectives, optimize IT performance and value, and manage IT complexity and change12.

One of the benefits of EA is that it can help to address the concern of duplicate IT applications and services across an enterprise. EA can help to identify and eliminate the redundancies, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies in the IT landscape, by providing a holistic and integrated view of the current and future state of IT. EA can also help to rationalize and consolidate the IT applications and services, by establishing a common framework, taxonomy, and governance for IT decision making. EA can also help to improve the integration and interoperability of IT applications and services, by defining the interfaces, protocols, and standards for data exchange123.

Some examples of how EA can help to address the concern of duplicate IT applications and services are:

• EA can help to conduct an inventory and assessment of the existing IT applications and services, to determine their purpose, scope, functionality, quality, cost, and value. EA can also help to compare and contrast the IT applications and services across different business units, to identify the overlaps, gaps, or conflicts among them4.
• EA can help to define and prioritize the business needs and requirements for IT applications and services, to ensure that they support the business goals and processes. EA can also help to evaluate and select the best IT solutions for each business need, based on criteria such as feasibility, suitability, scalability, security, compliance, etc5.
• EA can help to design and implement a target IT architecture that eliminates or minimizes the duplicate IT applications and services, by using approaches such as application portfolio management (APM), service-oriented architecture (SOA), or cloud computing. EA can also help to plan and execute a migration strategy that ensures a smooth transition from the current to the target state .
• EA can help to monitor and control the IT applications and services, by using metrics, indicators, and reports to measure their performance, availability, reliability, quality, and value. EA can also help to review and update the IT applications and services regularly, by using feedback mechanisms and continuous improvement practices .

References:

What is Enterprise Architecture? Definition & Frameworks. Enterprise Architecture: Definition & Best Practices. How Enterprise Architecture Can Help You Eliminate Technical Debt. Application Inventory: Definition & Best Practices. Business Requirements: Definition & Best Practices. [Application Portfolio Management: Definition & Best Practices]. [Service-Oriented Architecture: Definition & Benefits]. [IT Performance Management: Definition & Best Practices]. [Continuous Improvement: Definition & Best Practices].

Incident severity and downtime trend analysis is the most important result to report to the CIO to measure progress in improving system availability to mitigate IT risk to the business, because it directly reflects the impact and frequency of system failures or disruptions on the business operations, processes, and functions. By analyzing the severity and duration of incidents over time, the CIO can evaluate the effectiveness of the IT risk management and system availability strategies, and identify any gaps, issues, or opportunities for improvement. Incident severity and downtime trend analysis can also help the CIO to communicate the value and performance of the IT risk management and system availability initiatives to the business stakeholders, and justify any further investment or action required to achieve the desired outcomes.

The other options are not as important as incident severity and downtime trend analysis, because they are either too indirect or too subjective to measure progress in improving system availability to mitigate IT risk to the business. Probability and severity of each IT risk is a useful input for IT risk management, but it does not necessarily reflect the actual occurrence or impact of system failures or disruptions on the business1. Financial losses and bad press releases are possible consequences of system failures or disruptions, but they may not capture the full extent or root causes of the IT risk to the business2. Customer and stakeholder complaints over time are indicators of customer satisfaction and loyalty, but they may not be reliable or consistent measures of system availability or IT risk to the business

 Performance indicators are quantitative measures that can be used to evaluate the availability of a system or service. They can include metrics such as uptime, downtime, response time, availability percentage, etc. Balanced scorecard, capability maturity levels, and critical success factors are not directly related to availability objectives, but rather to strategic alignment, process improvement, and goal achievement respectively. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, Subdomain A: Governance Framework, Task 5: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and key goal indicators (KGIs) that are aligned with strategic objectives.

The first thing the CIO should do to ensure the IT organization is capable of supporting the CEO’s mandate of rolling out several new mobile services within the next 12 months is to request an assessment of current in-house mobile technology skills. This is because an assessment of current in-house mobile technology skills can help to evaluate the existing level of knowledge, experience, and competence of the IT staff in developing, deploying, and maintaining mobile applications and services. An assessment of current in-house mobile technology skills can also help to identify any gaps, needs, or opportunities for improvement or enhancement of the IT staff’s mobile technology skills.

Creating a sense of urgency with the IT team that mobile knowledge is mandatory is not the first thing the CIO should do, as it is a motivational factor rather than a governance factor. Creating a sense of urgency with the IT team can help to communicate the importance and priority of the CEO’s mandate, as well as inspire and encourage the IT staff to learn and adopt mobile technology skills. However, creating a sense of urgency with the IT team does not provide a comprehensive analysis or improvement plan for the IT organization’s mobile technology capabilities.

Procuring contractors with experience in mobile application development is not the first thing the CIO should do, as it is an implementation factor rather than a governance factor. Procuring contractors with experience in mobile application development can help to supplement or complement the in-house IT staff’s mobile technology skills, as well as accelerate or facilitate the delivery and quality of the new mobile services. However, procuring contractors with experience in mobile application development does not address the long-term sustainability or scalability of the IT organization’s mobile technology capabilities.

Tasking direct reports with creating training plans for their teams is not the first thing the CIO should do, as it is a subsequent step after requesting an assessment of current in-house mobile technology skills. Tasking direct reports with creating training plans for their teams can help to design and implement effective and customized learning programs and activities for the IT staff to acquire or enhance their mobile technology skills. However, tasking direct reports with creating training plans for their teams requires a clear understanding of the current state and the desired state of the IT staff’s mobile technology skills.

References := Top 15 In-Demand Technology Skills (Plus Definition), Mobile Development section. How to Develop Mobile Technology Skills | Career Trend, Step 1 section. How To Build A Mobile App Development Team - Forbes, Introduction section.

Requesting a meeting with the board is the most ethical course of action for the CIO who believes that a recent mission-critical IT decision by the board of directors is not in the best financial interest of all stakeholders, as it allows the CIO to express their concerns and opinions in a respectful and professional manner, and to provide relevant information and evidence to support their views. Requesting a meeting with the board also demonstrates the CIO’s commitment and accountability to the enterprise’s goals and values, and their willingness to collaborate and communicate with the board on IT governance matters123. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 3: Ensure that stakeholder needs, conditions and options are evaluated to determine balanced, agreed-on enterprise objectives to be achieved; setting direction through prioritization and decision making; and monitoring performance and compliance against agreed-on direction and objectives.

 Gap analysis results will provide the most useful information for the CIO to determine if IT staff have adequate skills to deliver on key strategic objectives, as they compare the current state of the IT staff skills with the desired or required state. Gap analysis results also help to identify the gaps or deficiencies in the IT staff skills, and to plan and implement the actions and strategies to close or reduce the gaps1. A gap analysis can be performed using various methods and tools, such as SWOT analysis, skill matrix, competency framework, etc.

The finding that should be of greatest concern to senior management is that response decisions were made without consulting the appropriate authority. This is because response decisions are critical actions that can affect the outcome and impact of a security incident, and they should be made by the designated authority who has the responsibility and accountability for the incident response. According to CISA, the Department of Justice, through the FBI and the NCIJTF, is the lead agency for threat response during a significant incident, with DHS’s investigative agencies—the Secret Service and ICE/HSI - playing a crucial role in criminal investigations1. If response decisions are made without consulting the appropriate authority, it may result in:

• Legal or regulatory violations: The response actions may not comply with the applicable laws or regulations, such as data breach notification, evidence preservation, or privacy protection. This may expose the organization to legal or regulatory penalties, lawsuits, or reputational damage.
• Ineffective or counterproductive actions: The response actions may not be aligned with the incident response plan, best practices, or standard operating procedures. This may cause more harm than good, such as escalating the incident, destroying evidence, or compromising recovery efforts.
• Lack of coordination and communication: The response actions may not be coordinated or communicated with the relevant stakeholders, such as senior management, legal counsel, public relations, or external partners. This may lead to confusion, inconsistency, or mistrust among the parties involved in the incident response.

Therefore, senior management should be most concerned about the finding that response decisions were made without consulting the appropriate authority, and they should take corrective actions to prevent this from happening again in the future. References: Cybersecurity Incident Response | CISA1

The best way to ensure the continued usefulness of IT governance reports for stakeholders is to establish a standard process for providing feedback. This means that the organization should define and communicate the purpose, scope, format, frequency, and distribution of the IT governance reports, and solicit input from the stakeholders on how well the reports meet their information needs and expectations. The feedback process should also include mechanisms for collecting, analyzing, and acting on the feedback, as well as reporting back to the stakeholders on the changes made or planned. This will help to ensure that the IT governance reports are relevant, accurate, timely, and consistent, and that they support the decision-making and accountability of the stakeholders

Meeting with stakeholders to explain the strategy and incorporate feedback is the best way for a CIO to secure support for a strategy to achieve long-term IT objectives, because it ensures that the strategy is aligned with the needs, expectations, and interests of the stakeholders, and that the stakeholders are engaged, informed, and committed to the strategy. By meeting with stakeholders, the CIO can communicate the vision, goals, and benefits of the strategy, and address any questions, concerns, or objections that the stakeholders may have. By incorporating feedback, the CIO can demonstrate respect and appreciation for the stakeholder input, and make any necessary adjustments or improvements to the strategy based on the stakeholder perspectives. Meeting with stakeholders and incorporating feedback can also foster trust, collaboration, and innovation between the CIO and the stakeholders, and enhance the value proposition and performance of the strategy.

The other options are not as effective as meeting with stakeholders and incorporating feedback, because they are either too autocratic, too vague, or too passive to secure support for a strategy to achieve long-term IT objectives. Making the necessary strategic decisions and notifying staff accordingly is a top-down approach that may alienate or antagonize the stakeholders, and create resistance or conflict. Developing tactics to implement the strategy and share with stakeholders is a tactical approach that may not address the strategic alignment, integration, or evaluation of the strategy. Developing a communication plan for distribution of information to staff is a one-way approach that may not elicit stakeholder feedback, engagement, or commitment. According to Stakeholder management: Your plan for influencing project outcomes, “Stakeholder management is essentially stakeholder relationship management as it is the relationship and not the actual stakeholder groups that are managed.”

The next step for the IT organization when they receive news that the branches in a country where the impact to the enterprise is to be greatest are being sold is to adjust the ERP implementation plan and budget. This means that the IT organization should assess the implications of the sale on the ERP transformation objectives, scope, timeline, resources, costs, and risks. The IT organization should also communicate with the relevant stakeholders, such as the business units, the vendors, and the buyers, to coordinate and align the ERP activities with the sale process. The IT organization should then revise the ERP implementation plan and budget to reflect the changes and ensure that the ERP transformation delivers value to the remaining enterprise

 The business strategy requiring significant IT resource scalability over the next five years is the best justification for the decision to outsource portions of IT operations, as it implies that the manufacturing company needs to adapt to changing market demands, customer expectations, and business opportunities. Outsourcing IT operations can provide the company with access to external IT resources, such as infrastructure, software, and services, that can be scaled up or down according to the business needs and goals12. Outsourcing IT operations can also help the company to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and focus on its core competencies

The first thing that should be done when developing the metadata management process for the new software platform is to request an impact analysis. An impact analysis is a process of assessing the potential effects of a change on the existing system, processes, and stakeholders1. An impact analysis can help to identify the following aspects2:

• The scope and objectives of the change: What are the expected benefits and outcomes of the new software platform? How does it align with the enterprise strategy and goals?
• The current state and baseline: What are the existing data sources, formats, standards, and quality levels? How are they documented, stored, and accessed? Who are the data owners, stewards, and users?
• The gaps and risks: What are the data changes that will occur due to the new software platform? How will they affect the data quality, security, privacy, and compliance? What are the potential challenges or issues that may arise during or after the transition?
• The mitigation and contingency plans: How can the data changes be minimized or avoided? How can the data quality, security, privacy, and compliance be ensured or improved? What are the alternative solutions or fallback options in case of failure or disruption?

By requesting an impact analysis, the organization can gain a better understanding of the data environment and the implications of the new software platform. This can help to develop a metadata management process that is consistent, effective, and adaptable to the change. References: Impact Analysis: A Key Aspect of Preventing Problems | Project …1, Impact Analysis: The Key to Successful Change Management2

The first governance action that should be taken when the financial assumptions supporting a project have changed is to request an update to the business case. The business case is the document that justifies the initiation, continuation, or termination of a project based on its expected costs, benefits, and risks. A change in the financial assumptions may affect the viability and value of the project, and therefore, the business case should be revised to reflect the new situation. The updated business case will then inform the subsequent governance actions, such as scheduling an interim project review, requesting a risk assessment, or re-evaluating the project in the portfolio. According to one source1, “The business case is a living document and should be reviewed and updated periodically as new information becomes available.” References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2020, page 14; Tips for Agile Project Governance

Providing clear objectives and transparency is the best way to manage an outsourced vendor relationship, because it ensures that both parties have a common understanding of the expectations, deliverables, and outcomes of the outsourcing arrangement. By providing clear objectives, the client can communicate the business goals, needs, and requirements to the vendor, and the vendor can align their services, processes, and resources accordingly. By providing transparency, the client can share relevant information, feedback, and insights with the vendor, and the vendor can report on their performance, issues, and risks regularly. Providing clear objectives and transparency can also foster trust, collaboration, and innovation between the client and the vendor, and help resolve any conflicts or disputes that may arise. According to Outsourcing Vendor Best Practices: 5 Tips for a Successful Relationship, “Transparency is critical to a successful outsourcing relationship. It helps to ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding expectations, deliverables and performance.”

 Enterprise architecture (EA) is the most important input for managing the risk associated with creating a mobile application, because it provides a holistic view of the current and future state of the enterprise’s IT environment, including its goals, principles, standards, policies, processes, technologies, and systems. EA helps to identify the gaps, dependencies, constraints, and opportunities for the mobile application initiative, and to align it with the enterprise’s strategic objectives and business requirements. EA also helps to assess the impact of the mobile application on the existing IT infrastructure, security, performance, and compliance. By using EA as an input for IT risk management, the enterprise can ensure that the mobile application is designed, developed, deployed, and maintained in a consistent, coherent, and optimal way that minimizes the potential risks and maximizes the expected benefits. The other options are not the most important input for managing the risk associated with creating a mobile application, but rather some of the outputs or outcomes of IT risk management. An IT risk scorecard is a tool that measures and reports the performance of IT risk management activities and controls. An enterprise risk appetite is a statement that defines the level and type of risk that an enterprise is willing to accept or avoid in pursuit of its objectives. Business requirements are the specifications that describe what the mobile application should do and how it should meet the needs and expectations of the users and stakeholders. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2020, page 15; Enterprise Architecture as Business Capabilities Architecture

 A change management program is the best option to prevent the problem of a lack of stakeholder buy-in to the innovation improvement initiatives, because it is a systematic and structured approach to managing the human side of change and ensuring that the stakeholders are engaged, informed, and committed to the change process. A change management program can help to identify and analyze the stakeholders, their needs, expectations, and concerns, and develop appropriate strategies and actions to communicate, educate, involve, and support them throughout the change journey. A change management program can also help to assess and address the potential risks, barriers, and resistance to change, and monitor and measure the effectiveness and outcomes of the change initiatives. According to Making Change Happen: 5 Keys to Driving Successful Change Initiatives, “Stakeholders are all the people who affect or are affected by the change initiative. Project participants can’t make the change happen by themselves. They need champions and supporters. It’s important to align stakeholders around the overall vision and then actively engage them throughout the process.”

Establishing the objectives and expected benefits is the most important step when developing effective metrics for the measurement of solution delivery, because it defines the purpose, scope, and value of the solution and how it aligns with the business goals and needs. By establishing the objectives and expected benefits, IT leaders can identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will measure the progress, quality, and outcomes of the solution delivery. KPIs are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound metrics that track and evaluate the performance of the solution delivery against the objectives and expected benefits. KPIs can also help IT leaders to communicate the value proposition of the solution to the stakeholders, monitor and manage the risks and issues that may affect the solution delivery, and ensure that the solution meets or exceeds the expectations of the customers and users. References := Automation: metrics that measure success, 4 Types of Key Performance Metrics To Track (With Examples), A guide to measuring benefits effectively

 A business case is a document that justifies the initiation and continuation of a project based on its expected benefits, costs, risks, and alignment with the strategic objectives of the organization. If a project is experiencing a cost overrun, meaning that it has exceeded its initial budget, it is important to re-evaluate the business case to determine whether the project is still viable and worth pursuing. Re-evaluating the business case can help to identify the root causes of the cost overrun, assess the impact of the overrun on the project’s value proposition, and decide whether to continue, modify, or terminate the project. Reviewing the IT investments, reorganizing the IT projects portfolio, and reviewing the IT governance structure are not the most important tasks to perform in this situation. They are more likely to be part of the portfolio management or governance processes that should be done regularly or periodically, not in response to a specific project issue. Moreover, they do not directly address the problem of the cost overrun or its implications for the project’s feasibility and desirability. References := What is a Business Case?, How to Write a Business Case, Project Cost Overruns – Reasons, How to Prevent and Manage

IT principles and policies are the documents that best reflect the ethical values adopted by an IT organization. IT principles are the high-level statements that express the fundamental beliefs and values of the organization regarding the use and management of IT. IT policies are the specific rules and guidelines that implement the IT principles and ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulations. IT principles and policies help to align IT with business objectives, foster a culture of trust and responsibility, and promote good governance practices. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 2: Ensure that a framework is in place to support the alignment of IT with enterprise objectives, enabling value creation. Ethics for IT Professionals/Professional Code of Ethics, Ethical Code section. Values and Ethics in Information Systems, Introduction section. Purpose, Ethical Values, Culture and Behaviours, Ethical Values section.

 According to the web search results, the best way to ensure an IT steering committee meets enterprise objectives is to have key business stakeholders represented on the committee. This is because business stakeholders are the ones who define and own the enterprise objectives, and who can provide the strategic direction, guidance, and support for IT initiatives that align with these objectives. Having key business stakeholders represented on the committee can help to ensure that IT decisions are made in the best interest of the enterprise, and that IT projects deliver value and benefits to the business12. The other options are less effective than option D, as they do not address the alignment and integration of IT and business objectives. Requiring a member of the committee to have IT governance expertise may be helpful, but not sufficient, to ensure that the committee meets enterprise objectives. IT governance expertise is not a substitute for business knowledge and involvement. Benchmarking against industry best practices may be useful, but not necessary, to ensure that the committee meets enterprise objectives. Industry best practices may not always suit the specific needs and context of the enterprise. Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) may be important, but not enough, to ensure that the committee meets enterprise objectives. KPIs are metrics that measure the performance and outcomes of IT projects and processes, but they do not guarantee that these projects and processes are aligned with the enterprise objectives.

References :=

• What is an IT Steering Committee? – BMC Software | Blogs
• IT Governance Committee - The Role and Importance of … - Exceeders

The most important consideration when defining an information architecture is access to and exchange of information. Information architecture (IA) is the process of guiding users through the site by organising and arranging all the relevant content in a clear, intuitive way1. The main purpose of IA is to help users find information and complete tasks2. To do this, IA needs to consider how users access and exchange information within the digital product or service, and how to make it easy, fast, and satisfying for them. Access to and exchange of information involves aspects such as:

• Navigation systems: How users browse or move through information2. Navigation systems should be consistent, predictable, and visible, and should provide feedback and orientation cues to the users3.
• Search systems: How users look for information2. Search systems should be accurate, relevant, and comprehensive, and should support different types of queries and filters4.
• Labelling systems: How information is represented and classified2. Labelling systems should use clear, concise, and meaningful words that match the users’ expectations and vocabulary.
• Information structure: How information is organised into categories, hierarchies, and relationships2. Information structure should reflect the users’ mental models and tasks, and should avoid unnecessary complexity or ambiguity.

By considering access to and exchange of information when defining an IA, the organization can ensure that the information assets are usable, findable, and accessible to the users, and that they support the user experience and the business goals. References: Information Architecture Basics | Usability.gov1, What is information architecture? - UX Design Institute2, Navigation Design Basics: Tips & Best Practices - Adobe XD Ideas3, Search System Design: Best Practices & Tips - Adobe XD Ideas4, Labeling Systems: An Introduction to Information Architecture - Boxes …, Information Architecture 101: Techniques and Best Practices - Adobe …

 A new privacy regulation is a legal requirement that aims to protect the rights and interests of customers in relation to their personal data, especially in the event of a breach involving personally identifiable information (PII). A breach is an unauthorized or unlawful access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction of personal data that may compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the data1. A new privacy regulation may introduce new risk for an enterprise that collects, processes, stores, or transfers personal data of customers, such as legal, financial, reputational, or operational risk. Therefore, the IT risk management team’s first course of action should be to determine if the new regulation introduces new risk for the enterprise, by assessing the scope, applicability, and impact of the regulation on the enterprise’s data activities and practices. This can help the IT risk management team to identify and prioritize the gaps or issues that need to be addressed to comply with the regulation and to mitigate the potential risk23. References: What is a Data Breach? Definition & Examples. How to Manage Data Privacy Risks. Data Privacy Risk Management: A Guide for Businesses.

The change management control framework is the first IT governance action to correct the problem of declining code quality and security flaws, as it defines and implements the policies, procedures, and standards for managing changes to the IT systems and software. The change management control framework also ensures that changes are authorized, tested, documented, and deployed in a consistent and secure manner12. A review of the change management control framework can help to identify and address the root causes of the security breach, and to prevent or mitigate similar incidents in the future. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic C: Technology Governance, Task 3: Ensure that IT processes are compliant with relevant laws, regulations and contractual requirements.