COBIT is a global standard for IT business process management. COBIT helps managers use a model that adds value to the organization and improves the risk management of the IT processes. The COBIT control model ensures the information system’s integrity.
What is COBIT?
COBIT stands for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology. COBIT is a framework developed by the ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association).
COBIT helps managers bridge the gap between technical issues, business risks, and control requirements with a supportive tool.
COBIT is a widely accepted guideline that can suit any organization in any industry. COBIT, on the other side, ensures that an organization's information systems are highly quality, well-controlled, and reliable —essential for every modern business.
What is ISACA?
ISACA is the short form of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. ISACA controls and guides information governance, security, management, and audit professionals.
ISACA is an international association that focuses on IT governance. ISACA offers benchmarks and governance tools for organizations that use information systems. ISACA is the creator, sponsor, and driver of the COBIT framework.
What is the history of COBIT?
COBIT was first published in 1996 to assist financial auditors in managing their IT environment growth. ISACA released a more extensive version 1998 that covered areas beyond audit controls. The third and fourth versions, released in the 2000s, introduced more management guidelines for cybersecurity.
The fifth COBIT version came out in 2013 and included tools, objectives, and best practices that applied to all IT operations in enterprises. It built on the fourth version by integrating related standards from the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), such as ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library).
ISACA then upgraded COBIT 5 to COBIT 2019, the most recent version. This COBIT version is more comprehensive, flexible, and adaptable to all enterprises, regardless of size or goals. COBIT 2019 has six governing principles, while COBIT 5 has five. Also, in this version, the number of processes that support management objectives and governance has risen from 37 to 40.
Why is COBIT so important?
The COBIT business orientation links business goals with IT infrastructure. COBIT provides maturity models and metrics to measure the achievement and identify the business responsibilities of IT processes.
COBIT 4.1 focused on a process-based model that had four specific domains:
- Planning and organization
- Delivering and Support
- Acquiring and implementation
- Monitoring and evaluating
These domains were explained by 34 processes according to the line of responsibilities. COBIT has a high reputation in business frameworks and has been recognized by various international standards, such as ITIL, CMMI, COSO, PRINCE2, TOGAF, PMBOK, TOGAF, and ISO 27000. COBIT acts as a guideline integrator that combines all solutions under one umbrella.
The most recent COBIT version 5 was released in April 2012 and integrated the principles of COBIT 4.1, Risk IT Frameworks, and Val IT 2.0. This version refers to ISACA's IT Assurance Framework (ITAF) and the respected BMIS (Business Model for Information Security).
COBIT 5 and COBIT 2019: what’s the difference?
COBIT 2019
- It follows six governance principles.
- It uses “managed” for management processes and “ensure” for governance processes.
- It has 40 processes in total.
- It includes governance framework principles.
- It calls the enablers as components.
- It offers design factors for customization.
- It adopts the CMMI performance management scheme.
COBIT 5
- It follows five governance principles.
- It uses “ensured” for governance processes and “manage” for management processes.
- It has 37 processes in total.
- It does not include governance framework principles.
- It uses the term enablers for the factors that influence the governance and management of enterprise IT.
- It does not offer design factors for customization.
- It measures performance using a 0-5 ISO/IEC 33000 scale.
COBIT 5.0 certification: what’s the benefit?
A COBIT 5.0 certification equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to face the global challenges to the business IT process. COBIT 5.0 certification also provides them with a lot of expertise information on:
- How IT management issues can impact organizations
- How to differentiate between management and governance while applying the principles of IT governance and enterprise IT
- How to use COBIT 5.0 processes to establish the five basic principles and other enablers
- How to relate COBIT 5.0 to its process reference model and goal cascade
What are the best COBIT 5 certifications?
COBIT 5 Foundation
COBIT5 is a framework that helps IT organizations manage and govern their technology effectively. It is developed and maintained by ISACA, the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. COBIT5 aims to establish a common language for IT organizations to communicate their shared challenges, objectives, and outcomes.
The COBIT5 Foundation certification is a highly valued credential in the IT domain, as it demonstrates a solid understanding of the COBIT5 framework and its benefits for IT organizations. The COBIT5 Foundation certification is a prerequisite for obtaining the COBIT5 Assessor certification and the COBIT5 Implementation Certification.
The COBIT5 Foundation course covers the universal principles and models that IT organizations use to implement the COBIT5 framework. It also helps to understand the core information system and the technology used by an IT organization.
The COBIT5 Foundation course enables IT managers to assess their current situation, identify the issues with their practices, and find solutions to improve them. The COBIT5 Foundation course fosters a problem-solving mindset for IT professionals. The COBIT5 Foundation certification is suitable for individuals working at all levels in IT organizations.
COBIT 5 Assessor
COBIT5 is a globally recognized framework for IT governance that reflects the vital role of technology and information in creating value for enterprises. The COBIT5 Assessor course equips executives and senior decision-makers with the knowledge to support achieving organizational goals through IT.
The COBIT5 Assessor course teaches how to measure the capabilities of an organization against the COBIT5 Process Assessment Model. This certification is based on evidence and helps leaders at the C-level implement changes and initiatives consistently and repeatedly to assess the IT process capabilities.
The COBIT5 Assessor certification is ideal for business leaders, risk, assurance, security, privacy, and IT management professionals. These include IT auditors, managers, developers, and quality professionals. The COBIT5 Assessor certification is an advanced-level credential developed by ISACA.
The exam lasts 150 minutes and is an open-book, available only in English. The passing score is 50%. The COBIT5 Foundation certification is a prerequisite for the COBIT5 Assessor certification.
By passing the COBIT5 Assessor exam, the candidates can learn how to perform and apply the steps outlined in the Assessor Guide, conduct a capability assessment, plan and scope an assessment, collect and validate information, and report the assessment results.
COBIT 5 Implementation
COBIT5 is a framework that enables IT organizations to manage and govern their technology effectively. It provides a common language for IT organizations to communicate their shared challenges, objectives, and outcomes. This helps IT organizations to find solutions for daily issues and make informed business decisions. COBIT5 Implementation helps to achieve the strategic goals of the organization.
The COBIT5 Implementation course teaches how to apply and integrate COBIT5 within the organizational processes. This helps the candidates analyze the IT operations efficiently, identify the root causes of problems, and implement changes with proper planning and understanding.
COBIT5 Implementation certification demonstrates the ability to assess the current capabilities of the IT organization and resolve the issues that arise in different areas of work. COBIT5 Implementation aims to deliver a valuable customer service experience, reduce the risks involved in business processes, and improve the performance of the IT organization.
The COBIT5 Implementation course is available online and offline through a global network. Before taking this course, the candidate should have completed the COBIT5 Foundation certification to understand the COBIT5 Framework.
COBIT 5 Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 5
COBIT5 is a framework that helps IT organizations manage and govern their technology effectively. Implementing the NIST Standards using COBIT5 is a module of COBIT5 that teaches how to apply the Cybersecurity Framework, its implementation steps, objectives, and capabilities.
This certification course focuses on understanding COBIT5 and cybersecurity concepts and aims to enhance the cybersecurity of organizations or enterprises.
The Implementing the NIST Standards using COBIT5 exam is designed for professionals with basic knowledge of COBIT5 and its security concepts that are useful for developing specific cybersecurity initiatives. Through this certification, individuals can learn how to identify the Cybersecurity Framework objectives CSF content and evaluate the implementation steps using COBIT5.
COBIT5 applies to all organizations regardless of their size. The professionals involved in governance, such as IT operational management, IT auditors, IT managers, and others, can benefit from this certification. Implementing the NIST Standards using COBIT5 certification is an intermediate-level credential developed by ISACA.
The COBIT5 Foundation certificate is a prerequisite for this certification. The exam lasts 80 minutes, and the passing score is 50%. It is a closed-book exam that is available only in English.
By acquiring this course, IT professionals can gain incredible benefits, such as innovative solutions, instructor support, high convenience, updated portfolio, and numerous branded products.
The final thoughts
The modern world is moving towards various emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, social media, big data, and mobility.
This increases the success rate of many organizations but also creates challenging and complex management and governance issues for security professionals, enterprise leaders, and governance specialists.
New businesses require that information be used to address risk scenarios effectively. COBIT 5.0 is the exact solution that modern businesses need.
