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An exception management process is a method for documenting and approving an exception to compliance with established IT governance policies, standards, and practices. An exception management process can accommodate the need for autonomy over technology choices by allowing a functional group to request and justify a deviation from the IT governance requirements, based on the business needs, risks, costs, and benefits. An exception management process can also help to ensure that the exceptions are reviewed and approved by the appropriate authorities, that the exceptions are monitored and reported, and that the exceptions are aligned with the IT strategy and objectives123. References: Exception Management Process Flow. IT/Information Security Exception Request Process. Strategies, Governance, Policies, Standards and Resources.

 Transparency is primarily achieved through performance measurement, as it involves providing clear, accurate, and timely information about the performance of IT processes, services, and projects to the relevant stakeholders. Performance measurement can help to increase the visibility, accountability, and trustworthiness of IT activities and outcomes, and to enable informed decision-making and feedback. The other options are not as primary, as they are more related to the results or consequences of performance measurement, rather than the purpose or intention of it. References: : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.3: Performance Measurement and Reporting, Subsection 3.3.1: Performance Measurement and Reporting Overview, Page 112 : CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.3: Performance Measurement and Reporting, Subsection 3.3.2: Performance Measurement and Reporting Process, Page 113 : Performance Measurement Metrics for IT Governance1

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 risk register is a tool that records and tracks the risks associated with a project or an activity, such as developing consumer-based services using emerging technologies involving sensitive personal data. A risk register typically includes information such as the risk description, category, impact, probability, status, response strategy, and owner. Reviewing the risk register will enable the CIO to make the best decision for the customers, as it will help them to identify, assess, and prioritize the risks that may affect the security, privacy, and quality of the services, and to determine the appropriate actions to mitigate or avoid them. The other options are not as relevant, as they do not provide specific information about the risks involved in the project or activity. 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 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.3: IT Risk Management, Subsection 4.3.3: IT Risk Management Techniques and Tools, Page 158 : Capability Maturity Model and Risk Register Integration1

Assessing the impact of the proposed change is the first step to begin addressing business needs, as it helps to understand the current state of the IT governance framework, the gaps and issues that need to be resolved, and the potential benefits and risks of the change. An impact assessment can also provide a basis for prioritizing and planning the change, and for engaging and communicating with the stakeholders12. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 4: Ensure that a continual improvement process is in place to maintain and enhance the performance and maturity of IT governance.

An operational risk assessment is the most effective way of assessing enterprise risk, as it evaluates the potential losses and impacts that may arise from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems, or external events. An operational risk assessment also helps to identify and prioritize the key risk indicators (KRIs), risk scenarios, and mitigation strategies for the enterprise12. 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.

 According to the CGEIT certification guide, the most effective approach to ensure senior management sponsorship of IT risk management is to integrate IT risk into enterprise risk management (ERM). This is because ERM is a holistic and strategic approach that considers all types of risks that may affect the achievement of the enterprise’s objectives. By integrating IT risk into ERM, senior management can better understand the impact and interdependencies of IT risks on the enterprise’s performance and value, and can provide more effective oversight and guidance to the IT risk management processes1. The other options are less effective than option D, as they do not address the alignment and integration of IT risk with the enterprise’s strategy and objectives. References:= CGEIT certification guide, domain 3: Risk Optimization, section 3.1: Risk Governance, page 86.

 The first step in implementing IT governance is to ensure that IT roles and responsibilities are established. This means that the board of directors should define the authority, accountability, and decision rights of the key stakeholders involved in IT governance, such as the board itself, senior management, business units, IT function, and external parties. By doing so, the board can ensure that IT governance is aligned with the enterprise governance and strategy, and that IT performance and value delivery are monitored and evaluated. Establishing IT roles and responsibilities is also a prerequisite for defining IT policies and procedures, developing a portfolio of IT-enabled investments, and implementing an IT balanced scorecard. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT1; COBIT 5: Enabling Processes, chapter 4, section 4.1.12; Improve IT Governance to Drive Business Results

 This is because before decommissioning an IT system, it is most important to ensure that the data stored on the system is handled according to the retention policy of the organization. A retention policy is a document that specifies how long and where different types of data should be kept, archived, or deleted, based on the business, legal, and regulatory requirements. Assessing compliance with the retention policy can help to avoid data loss, leakage, or breach, as well as comply with the applicable laws and regulations.

Assessing compliance with environmental regulations is not the most important action, as it is a secondary consideration for decommissioning an IT system. Environmental regulations are rules that govern the disposal or recycling of IT equipment and materials, such as batteries, cables, or monitors, in order to protect the environment and human health. Assessing compliance with environmental regulations can help to reduce the environmental impact and waste of IT resources, as well as avoid fines or penalties. However, assessing compliance with environmental regulations does not address the primary concern of data management and security.

Reviewing the media disposal records is not the most important action, as it is a subsequent step after assessing compliance with the retention policy. Media disposal records are documents that provide evidence and verification of the proper disposal or destruction of IT media, such as hard drives, tapes, or disks, that contain sensitive or confidential data. Reviewing the media disposal records can help to ensure that the data on the IT system is erased or overwritten in a secure and irreversible manner, as well as comply with the audit and accountability requirements. However, reviewing the media disposal records does not provide a comprehensive assessment or guidance for data retention and compliance.

Reviewing the data sanitation records is not the most important action, as it is a similar step to reviewing the media disposal records. Data sanitation records are documents that provide evidence and verification of the proper sanitation or cleansing of data on an IT system, such as deleting, encrypting, or masking data that is no longer needed or relevant. Reviewing the data sanitation records can help to ensure that the data on the IT system is protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or destruction, as well as comply with the privacy and confidentiality requirements. However, reviewing the data sanitation records does not provide a thorough assessment or guidance for data retention and compliance.

References := Best Practices in Designing a Data Decommissioning Policy, Introduction section. Server Decommissioning: a Brief Guide and Checklist, Notify all relevant parties about server decommissioning section. Deconstructing Decommissioning: Best Practices for Managing the Final Mile of Critical Assets, Here are seven best practices that when implemented can go a long way to ensure a successful decommissioning section. How to decommission a system: 3 keys to success - Enable Sysadmin, How to decommission a system: 3 keys to success section.

Mapping business processes within a framework is the most effective way to understand the business activities associated with the enterprise’s information architecture, as it provides a clear and comprehensive view of how information flows and supports the business objectives. References:= CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic C: Information Governance, Task 1: Define and implement information governance processes to ensure alignment with enterprise goals and objectives.

 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

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.

 The most comprehensive view into the potential value of procuring customer information for a marketing enterprise would be provided by the cost-benefit analysis results. A cost-benefit analysis is a method of comparing the costs and benefits of a project or decision in monetary terms. It helps to evaluate the feasibility, profitability, and efficiency of the project or decision, and to identify the best alternative among different options. A cost-benefit analysis can also incorporate non-monetary factors, such as social and environmental impacts, by assigning them monetary values or weights. A cost-benefit analysis can show the net benefit (or net cost) of procuring customer information, as well as the benefit-cost ratio, the payback period, and the internal rate of return. These indicators can help the marketing enterprise to assess how well the procurement of customer information aligns with its objectives, strategies, and budget, and how much value it can create for the enterprise and its customers

 This is because a risk program is a strategic initiative that requires the support and involvement of the top leaders of the enterprise. Senior management can demonstrate their commitment to the risk program by:

• Providing clear direction and guidance on the objectives, scope, and approach of the risk program
• Allocating sufficient resources, budget, and authority to the risk program team
• Communicating the importance and benefits of the risk program to all stakeholders
• Encouraging a culture of risk awareness and accountability across the enterprise
• Reviewing and approving the risk program deliverables and outcomes
• Rewarding and recognizing the achievements and contributions of the risk program team and participants

A risk management framework (A) is a tool that helps to define and implement the risk program, but it does not ensure its success without senior management commitment. Mandatory risk awareness courses for staff (B) are a way to increase the knowledge and skills of the staff regarding risk management, but they do not guarantee their engagement and participation in the risk program without senior management endorsement. A risk recognition and reporting policy © is a document that establishes the rules and procedures for identifying and communicating risks, but it does not ensure its compliance and effectiveness without senior management oversight.

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

 One of the main benefits of ERP systems is that they can integrate and streamline various business processes across an enterprise, such as accounting, inventory, sales, human resources, etc. However, this also means that different regions or departments may have to adopt common or standardized processes that are supported by the ERP system, rather than using their own customized or localized ones. This can reduce the complexity and cost of implementing and maintaining the ERP system, as well as improve data quality and consistency. According to one of the web search results1, “it’s important to always keep those processes at the core of your implementation plan” and “an ERP implementation is an opportunity to introduce a better process, not simply to automate an existing inefficient one.” Another web search result2 states that “standardizing ERP processes across regions” is one of the best practices for a successful ERP implementation. Therefore, the best approach in the planning phase of the project is to minimize customization by standardizing ERP processes across regions. References := 9 Key ERP Implementation Best Practices | NetSuite, 6 Best Practices for a Successful ERP Implementation

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

 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

 Objectives and metrics are the most critical for the successful implementation of an IT process, as they define the purpose, scope, and expected outcomes of the process. Objectives and metrics also help to measure and monitor the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the process, and to identify and implement improvement opportunities12. 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.

When evaluating benefits realization of IT process performance, the analysis must be based on key business objectives, as they define the desired outcomes and value that the IT processes are expected to deliver and support. Key business objectives are derived from the enterprise strategy and vision, and they provide the basis for measuring and monitoring the IT process performance and benefits123. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 3, Subtopic B: Performance Measurement and Optimization, Task 1: Establish and monitor IT performance measurement systems to evaluate the extent to which IT delivers on its strategic objectives and desired outcomes.

 Business data owners were not consulted is the answer that presents the greatest risk, as it implies that the information security function did not consider the needs, expectations, and requirements of the stakeholders who are responsible for the data. Business data owners should be involved in the development and implementation of data retention and backup policies, as they can provide input on the value, sensitivity, and classification of the data, as well as the legal and regulatory obligations for data preservation and protection12. Without consulting the business data owners, the information security function may create policies that are inconsistent, ineffective, or detrimental to the enterprise’s objectives and operations.

 An assessment to determine if data privacy protection is addressed is the first request that the IT steering committee should make to comply with the board’s mandate, as it helps to ensure that the use of geolocation software does not violate any applicable laws, regulations, or ethical standards regarding the collection, processing, and sharing of personal or sensitive data. Data privacy protection is an important aspect of information governance, which is part of the CGEIT Domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT1. An assessment can also identify the risks and controls associated with the geolocation software, and provide recommendations and best practices for its implementation and management2. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic C: Information Governance, Task 1: Define and implement information governance processes to ensure alignment with enterprise goals and objectives.

 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

Implementing a review and approval process for each phase would best help to improve an enterprise’s ability to manage large IT investment projects. This is because a review and approval process can help to ensure that the project is aligned with the business objectives, scope, budget, schedule, quality, and risk criteria at each stage of the project life cycle. A review and approval process can also help to monitor the project progress, performance, and deliverables, as well as identify and resolve any issues or changes that may arise. A review and approval process can also provide transparency, accountability, and governance for the project stakeholders and decision-makers.

Creating a change management board is not the best answer, as it is only one aspect of a review and approval process. A change management board is a group of people who are responsible for reviewing, approving, or rejecting change requests that affect the project scope, schedule, cost, or quality. A change management board is important for managing changes in a project, but it is not sufficient or comprehensive for managing large IT investment projects.

Reviewing and evaluating existing business cases is not the best answer, as it is only a preliminary step in a review and approval process. A business case is a document that provides the justification and rationale for initiating a project, based on the expected costs, benefits, risks, and value of the project. Reviewing and evaluating existing business cases can help to select and prioritize the most viable and valuable projects for the enterprise, but it is not enough or relevant for managing large IT investment projects.

Publishing the IT approval process online for wider scrutiny is not the best answer, as it is only a communication method for a review and approval process. Publishing the IT approval process online can help to increase the visibility, awareness, and understanding of the project requirements, criteria, and procedures among the project stakeholders and participants. Publishing the IT approval process online can also help to solicit feedback, suggestions, or concerns from the wider audience. However, publishing the IT approval process online does not necessarily improve the enterprise’s ability to manage large IT investment projects.

References := IT Portfolio Management Strategies | Smartsheet, Managing an IT portfolio requires four steps section. Best Practices in Project Management | Smartsheet, Establish ground rules for how the project will move forward section. Government of Canada project management - Canada.ca, These practices include establishing clear accountabilities section. IT Project Management: Concepts, Solutions & Best Practices, What is Integrated Project Management (IPM)? section. 16 Industry Experts Share Best Practices For IT Project Management - Forbes, 1. Limit Work In Progress section.

The most important consideration for IT governance is to align IT investments with business objectives and deliver value to the enterprise. Cost reduction is one of the possible objectives, but not the only one. Therefore, the business value impact of each option should be evaluated to ensure that the IT investment supports the enterprise strategy and goals. References:= CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 1: Establish and maintain a governance framework that aligns with enterprise objectives, ensures value creation from IT-enabled investments, and manages risk at an acceptable level.

The CIO communicating why IT governance is important to the enterprise is the best way to increase the likelihood of its success, as it helps to create awareness, understanding, and buy-in from the stakeholders and staff involved in the IT governance program. The CIO can also communicate the benefits, objectives, and expectations of the IT governance program, and how it aligns with the enterprise strategy and vision123. 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 best way to ensure new systems can be adequately supported once in production is to require operational management be identified in the business case. This means that the business case should include the costs, benefits, risks and resources associated with the operation and maintenance of the new system, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the operational staff. By doing so, the business case can ensure that the new system is aligned with the business objectives and can deliver value to the stakeholders. Additionally, the business case can help to secure the commitment and support of the operational management for the new system. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 3: Benefits Realization1; COBIT 5: Enabling Processes, chapter 4, section 4.2.22; Building A Governance System: A Review of Information Flow and Items Component

 A change in business strategy may require a change in IT governance structure to align with the new direction and objectives of the organization. The other options are not the primary impact of a business strategy change, but rather the outcomes or consequences of IT governance. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2020, page 10.

 Appointing an IT representative to the business risk committee is the best way to address senior management’s concern about IT investment risks, as it would ensure that IT risks are properly identified, assessed, and communicated to the business stakeholders. The IT representative would also be able to align IT risk management with the enterprise’s risk appetite and strategy, and provide input and feedback on the IT investment decisions. The other options are not as effective, as they do not involve direct collaboration and communication between IT and business on risk matters. 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 4.3.5: Roles and Responsibilities for IT Risk Management, Page 161

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.

The first strategic action to address the report is to authorize a risk analysis of the practice. A risk analysis is a systematic process of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing the potential threats and vulnerabilities that may arise from the use of an offsite cloud for analyzing sensitive “big data” files. A risk analysis can help to determine the level of exposure and impact of the practice on the organization’s data security, privacy, compliance, and performance. A risk analysis can also provide recommendations for mitigating or avoiding the risks, such as implementing appropriate controls, policies, and procedures.

Updating data governance practices, revising the information security policy, and recommending the use of a private cloud are possible actions that may result from the risk analysis, but they are not the first step. Data governance practices are the rules and processes that define how data is created, stored, accessed, used, and disposed of within an organization. Data governance practices should align with the organization’s data strategy, objectives, and values. Information security policy is a document that outlines the principles, guidelines, and responsibilities for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Information security policy should reflect the organization’s risk appetite, legal obligations, and industry standards. A private cloud is a cloud computing model that provides dedicated resources and services to a single organization. A private cloud may offer more control, security, and customization than an offsite cloud, but it may also require more investment, maintenance, and expertise.

Therefore, before updating data governance practices, revising the information security policy, or recommending the use of a private cloud, it is important to conduct a risk analysis of the current practice of using an offsite cloud for analyzing sensitive “big data” files. This will help to ensure that the organization makes informed and strategic decisions that balance the benefits and risks of using cloud computing for big data analytics.

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

Prior to setting IT objectives, an enterprise must have established its strategies. Strategies are the high-level plans that define the direction and goals of the enterprise and how it will achieve them. Strategies provide the context and guidance for setting IT objectives, which are the specific and measurable outcomes that IT will deliver to support the strategies. IT objectives should be aligned with and derived from the enterprise strategies, as well as the enterprise vision, mission, and values

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

 The first course of action when the use of new technology in an enterprise will require specific expertise and updated system development processes is to assess the gap between current and required staff competencies. This course of action involves identifying the skills, knowledge, and abilities that are needed to implement and manage the new technology, and comparing them with the existing capabilities of the IT staff. By assessing the gap between current and required staff competencies, the enterprise can determine the extent and nature of the sourcing challenge, and plan for appropriate solutions, such as training, hiring, or outsourcing. According to one source1, “A competency gap analysis is a process of identifying the difference between what is required for a person to perform their role effectively and what they actually possess.” The other options are not the first course of action when the use of new technology in an enterprise will require specific expertise and updated system development processes, but rather some of the steps or outcomes that can follow or result from the gap assessment. Performing a risk assessment on potential outsourcing is a step that involves evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of delegating some or all of the IT functions related to the new technology to an external service provider. This step can be done after assessing the gap between current and required staff competencies, and identifying outsourcing as a viable option. Updating the enterprise architecture (EA) with the new technology is a step that involves incorporating the new technology into the holistic view of the enterprise’s IT environment, including its goals, principles, standards, policies, processes, technologies, and systems. This step can be done after assessing the gap between current and required staff competencies, and ensuring that the new technology aligns with the enterprise’s strategic objectives and business requirements. Reviewing the IT balanced scorecard for sourcing opportunities is an outcome that involves measuring and reporting on the performance and value of IT sourcing activities and outcomes. This outcome can be done after assessing the gap between current and required staff competencies, and implementing the chosen sourcing solution. References := What is Competency Gap Analysis? Definition & Examples

 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

The first course of action for the CIO of an enterprise to help plan for the possibility of ransomed corporate data should be to request a targeted risk assessment. This is because a targeted risk assessment can help to identify and evaluate the specific threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts of ransomware attacks on the enterprise’s data and systems. A targeted risk assessment can also help to determine the likelihood and severity of ransomware incidents, as well as the appropriate controls and mitigation strategies to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Requiring development of key risk indicators (KRIs) is not the first course of action, as it is a monitoring tool for measuring the risk exposure and performance. KRIs are metrics that provide information on the current level and trend of risk in relation to the risk appetite and tolerance of the enterprise. KRIs can help to track and report the progress and effectiveness of the risk management activities, as well as alert the management of any potential issues or changes that may affect the risk profile. However, requiring development of KRIs does not provide a comprehensive analysis or improvement plan for ransomed corporate data.

Developing a policy to address ransomware is not the first course of action, as it is a result of conducting a targeted risk assessment. A policy to address ransomware is a document that defines the rules, guidelines, and responsibilities for preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from ransomware attacks. Developing a policy to address ransomware can help to communicate the expectations and requirements for ransomware protection and compliance, as well as enforce accountability and governance for ransomware incidents. However, developing a policy to address ransomware does not provide a detailed assessment or guidance for ransomed corporate data.

Backing up corporate data to a secure location is not the first course of action, as it is an implementation step after conducting a targeted risk assessment and developing a policy to address ransomware. Backing up corporate data to a secure location can help to preserve the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the data in case of a ransomware attack. Backing up corporate data to a secure location can also help to restore the data and resume normal operations after a ransomware attack. However, backing up corporate data to a secure location does not provide a thorough risk analysis or governance framework for ransomed corporate data.

References := Ransomware Risk Management: NISTIR 8374, 3 Risk Management Process section. Managing the Risks of Ransomware - SEI Blog, Assess Your Risk section. Ransomware Risk Management - NIST, 4 Ransomware Risk Management Profile section. NIST Releases Tips and Tactics for Dealing With Ransomware, Back Up Your Data section.

 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 demonstrate the effectiveness of the IT reorganization by showing how the IT function has improved in terms of delivering value to the business, satisfying customer needs and expectations, optimizing internal processes and workflows, and enhancing the skills and capabilities of the IT staff. According to one of the web search results1, “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.” The number of help desk calls, a survey of IT staff, and IT cost reduction are not the best indicators of the effectiveness of the IT reorganization. They are more likely to reflect operational or tactical aspects of IT service delivery, rather than strategic or holistic ones. They may also be influenced by other factors that are not related to the IT reorganization, such as user behavior, staff morale, or market conditions. References := Service Delivery for IT and Business | Splunk

 According to the web search results, the primary benefit of communicating the IT strategy across the enterprise is to reduce organizational resistance during strategy execution. This is because communication can help to create a shared understanding and vision of the IT strategy, and to foster trust and commitment among the stakeholders. Communication can also help to address the concerns and expectations of different groups, and to overcome the barriers and challenges that may arise during the implementation of the IT strategy1. The other options are less important than option D, as they are not directly related to communication, but rather to other factors such as project management, performance measurement, and investment optimization. References :=

• How to Communicate Your Company’s Strategy Effectively

 Repeatability is the most immediate outcome of defining all IT processes within the enterprise, as it ensures that the processes can be performed consistently and reliably by different people or teams, following the same steps and procedures. Repeatability also enables the measurement and improvement of IT processes over time12. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 2: Ensure that IT governance is aligned with the enterprise governance framework and is integrated into the enterprise governance approach.

When implementing an IT governance framework, it is important to consider the effects of enterprise culture on the acceptance and adoption of the framework. Enterprise culture is the set of values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors that shape how an organization operates and interacts with its stakeholders. A mismatch between the IT governance framework and the enterprise culture can lead to resistance, conflict, or failure of the framework. Therefore, it is best to factor in the effects of enterprise culture and tailor the framework to suit the specific context and needs of the organization. The other options are not the best way to ensure acceptance of the framework, but rather some of the factors that can influence the design and implementation of the framework. Using subject matter experts, industry-accepted practices, and complying with regulatory requirements can help to ensure the quality, relevance, and compliance of the framework, but they do not necessarily guarantee its acceptance by the organization. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 27th Edition, 2020, page 12; Implementing Good Governance Principles for the Public Sector in Information Technology Governance Frameworks

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].

 When introducing the concept of governance to the new acquisition, it is most important that executive management recognize the impact of cultural changes. This is because culture can influence how people understand and practice governance, and how they respond to different governance frameworks and policies1. Culture can also change over time, either by choice or by external factors, and this can affect the governance arrangements of an organization2. Therefore, executive management needs to be aware of the cultural differences and similarities between the multinational enterprise and the new acquisition, and how they can affect the governance objectives, processes, and outcomes. Executive management also needs to respect and value the cultural diversity of the new acquisition, and foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and alignment3. References: How corporate culture affects governance - The CEO Magazine3, Governance | Diversity of Cultural Expressions - UNESCO4, 2.0 Culture and governance - AIGI

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

IT governance must be a component of enterprise governance, as it ensures that IT supports and enables the achievement of the enterprise goals and objectives. IT governance is the responsibility of the board of directors and executive management, and it is an integral part of enterprise governance123. IT governance also aligns IT with the enterprise strategy, delivers value from IT investments, manages IT risks and resources, and measures IT performance3. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 1, Subtopic A: Governance Framework, Task 1: Ensure the definition, establishment, and management of a framework for the governance of enterprise IT in alignment with the mission, vision and values of the enterprise.

 An IT steering committee is a group of senior executives who are responsible for directing, reviewing, and approving IT strategic plans, overseeing major initiatives, and allocating resources. They are the most appropriate group to approve the implementation of new technology, as they can ensure that it aligns with the organization’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives. They can also evaluate the business case, risks, benefits, and alternatives of the new technology and provide guidance and support to the IT team. According to one of the web search results1, “the steering committee establishes IT priorities for the business as a whole.” References := What is an IT Steering Committee? – BMC Software | Blogs

Business innovation is the process of creating new or improved products, services, processes, or business models that create value for the organization and its customers. IT can enable business innovation by providing the tools, platforms, data, and capabilities that support the generation, implementation, and diffusion of innovative ideas. However, IT alone cannot drive business innovation; it requires a close collaboration and alignment between IT and business. Therefore, IT participation in business strategy development is the best way to enable business innovation through IT, because it can help to ensure that IT understands the business goals and needs, that IT contributes to the identification and evaluation of opportunities and challenges, that IT provides feasible and effective solutions and recommendations, and that IT supports the execution and monitoring of the innovation initiatives123. References: How to Drive Business Innovation Through IT. How to Enable Business Innovation with IT. Business Innovation: What It Is and How to Achieve It.

Information architecture (IA) is the process of guiding users through the site by organising and arranging all the relevant content in a clear, intuitive way. It also ensures consistency throughout a product’s design by standardising labelling conventions such as menu names, link titles, and button labels across all pages1. If enterprise IT has overseen the implementation of an array of data services with overlapping functionality, it may indicate that they have not followed a coherent and effective IA strategy. This can lead to business inefficiencies, such as duplication of efforts, confusion among users, and difficulty in finding and accessing information. According to one of the web search results2, “Application rationalization is a simple first step to analyze the current architecture to determine redundant applications, overlapping functionality, and software that is not exactly current. As more companies move into a service-oriented architecture implementation, this analysis is a cost-effective way to ensure that the IT resources are utilized in the most efficient manner.” Ineffective project management, an outdated service level agreement (SLA), and an incomplete cost-benefit analysis are not the most likely causes of this situation. They are more related to the planning, execution, and evaluation of individual projects, rather than the overall design and organisation of information systems. References := What is information architecture? - UX Design Institute, Staying Current And Supporting Systems With Overlapping Functionality

 A program roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the vision, objectives, scope, deliverables, milestones, dependencies, risks, and benefits of a large-scale IT program. A program roadmap can help the CIO and other stakeholders to communicate, align, and monitor the progress and outcomes of the program. A program roadmap is essential for a complex and long-term IT program such as centralizing the core business processes of global entities into one core system. A program roadmap can help to ensure that the program is aligned with the IT strategy and the business goals, that the program has a clear and realistic scope and schedule, that the program has adequate resources and governance, and that the program delivers the expected value and benefits1234. References: How to Create an IT Strategy Roadmap. Definitive Guide to Developing an IT Strategy and Roadmap. What is an IT Roadmap?. How To Develop a Strategy Roadmap in Six Steps.

Revalidating the organization’s risk tolerance and re-aligning the retention policy is the best option to ensure the optimization of retention costs, because it can help the organization balance the trade-off between the benefits and costs of data retention. By revalidating the risk tolerance, the organization can identify the optimal level of data retention that minimizes the exposure to legal, regulatory, and operational risks, while also reducing the storage and management costs. By re-aligning the retention policy, the organization can ensure that the data retention practices are consistent with the risk tolerance and reflect the current business needs and objectives. A re-aligned retention policy can also help the organization comply with data retention laws and regulations, avoid unnecessary data hoarding, and improve data quality and accessibility. References := Data Retention Policy 101: Best Practices, Examples & More - Intradyn, Data Retention 101: Policies and Best Practices | Egnyte, Best Practices for Data Retention and Policy Creation Will Optimize Storage Management, Data Retention Policy: Crafting Strategy for Compliance and Access

 A balanced scorecard is the most comprehensive method to report on overall IT performance to the board of directors, as it provides a holistic view of the IT value proposition, covering four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. A balanced scorecard helps to align IT goals and objectives with the enterprise strategy, measure and monitor IT performance, and communicate IT value to the board and other stakeholders123. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 3, Subtopic B: Performance Measurement and Optimization, Task 1: Establish and monitor IT performance measurement systems to evaluate the extent to which IT delivers on its strategic objectives and desired outcomes.

 Ensuring that the system is maintained in compliance with enterprise architecture (EA) standards is the most effective way to prevent an IT system from becoming technologically obsolete before its planned return on investment (ROI), because it ensures that the system is aligned with the current and future business needs, goals, and strategies of the organization. Enterprise architecture (EA) standards define the principles, guidelines, and best practices for designing, developing, and managing IT systems in a consistent, coherent, and integrated manner across the organization. By following EA standards, IT leaders can ensure that the system is compatible with the existing and emerging technologies, platforms, and frameworks that support the business processes and functions. EA standards also help IT leaders to monitor and evaluate the performance, quality, security, and reliability of the system, and to identify and address any gaps, issues, or risks that may affect its functionality or value. EA standards also facilitate the communication and collaboration among different stakeholders involved in the system lifecycle, such as business users, IT staff, vendors, and auditors. By maintaining the system in compliance with EA standards, IT leaders can ensure that the system delivers the expected benefits and value to the organization and achieves its planned ROI. References := ISO/IEC/IEEE 42020:2019(en), Software, systems and enterprise ? Architecture processes, Sample: Enterprise Architecture Standards - CIO Portal, Obsolescence management for IT leaders - Information Age

The key risk indicator (KRI) that would be of most interest to the CIO of a financial institution with a highly regarded reputation for protecting customer interests that has recently deployed a mobile payments program is the total volume of suspicious transactions. This KRI measures the number and value of transactions that are flagged as potentially fraudulent, malicious, or erroneous by the mobile payments system or by the customers. This KRI reflects the level of security and reliability of the mobile payments program, as well as the customer trust and satisfaction. A high volume of suspicious transactions indicates a high risk of financial losses, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and customer attrition for the financial institution. Therefore, the CIO should monitor this KRI closely and take appropriate actions to prevent or mitigate any incidents that may compromise the mobile payments program

 The best reference for the IT steering committee as they evaluate the level of success of a strategic systems project that was implemented several months ago is the project’s business case. The business case is the document that outlines the rationale, objectives, benefits, costs, risks, and assumptions of the project. It also defines the expected outcomes and performance indicators that can be used to measure the project’s success. By comparing the actual results of the project with the business case, the IT steering committee can determine if the project has met its intended goals, delivered its expected value, and justified its investment

 Correctly understanding stakeholder needs for IT-related measurement is the primary consideration when designing such a measurement system, as it ensures that the system is relevant, useful, and aligned with the enterprise goals and objectives. Stakeholder needs can be identified and prioritized using various techniques, such as the goals cascade, which links stakeholder needs to enterprise goals, IT-related goals, and enabler goals1. The measurement system should also be adaptable to changes in technology and business environment, such as the movement of some data processing to a cloud solution. References := CGEIT Exam Content Outline, Domain 3, Subtopic B: Performance Measurement and Optimization, Task 1: Establish and monitor IT performance measurement systems to evaluate the extent to which IT delivers on its strategic objectives and desired outcomes.

 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.

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.”

A balanced scorecard is a tool that would best demonstrate the current state of strategic alignment, because it is a framework that translates the enterprise’s vision and strategy into a set of performance measures that cover four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth12. A balanced scorecard can help to assess how well the IT function is supporting the business objectives, and identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement. A balanced scorecard can also help to communicate and monitor the IT strategy and goals, and align the IT activities and resources with the business needs and expectations1 .

A procurement manager should agree to purchase IT equipment from a specific vendor during a sales promotion only if the equipment adds value to the enterprise. This means that the equipment supports the business goals and objectives, meets the current and future needs of the stakeholders, and delivers benefits that outweigh the costs and risks. The procurement manager should also consider the quality, reliability, compatibility, and security of the equipment, as well as the vendor’s reputation, service level, and warranty.

The other options are not the best justification for a procurement manager to agree to purchase IT equipment from a specific vendor during a sales promotion. The IT benefit surpasses the business benefit from the purchase is not a valid justification, as it implies that the IT department’s interests are more important than the enterprise’s interests. The procurement manager should align the IT strategy with the business strategy and ensure that the IT equipment supports the enterprise value creation. The business profit surpasses the IT cost for the equipment is not a sufficient justification, as it does not account for other factors such as quality, performance, functionality, and risk of the equipment. The procurement manager should evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI) of the IT equipment, not just the initial purchase price. The product is offered at the lowest price is not a convincing justification, as it does not guarantee that the equipment is suitable for the enterprise’s needs and expectations. The procurement manager should not compromise on quality, functionality, or security for a lower price.

For more information on IT procurement and value creation, you can refer to these web sources:

• IT Procurement Manager Job Description w/ Role & Responsibilities
• IT Governance: Definitions, Frameworks and Planning
• What is Governance in Procurement? Its Model
• What is IT governance? A formal way to align IT & business strategy

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the best way to enable an IT steering committee to monitor the achievement of overall IT objectives on a continuous basis, as they are metrics that measure the progress and outcomes of IT activities, processes, and projects in relation to the enterprise’s vision, strategy, and goals. KPIs can help the IT steering committee to assess and communicate the effectiveness and efficiency of IT operations, services, and initiatives, as well as their contribution to customer satisfaction, business value, and innovation. KPIs can also help the IT steering committee to identify and address any issues or gaps in IT performance or alignment, as well as to evaluate and improve the IT governance and management practices. Performance Measurement Metrics for IT Governance provides an overview of KPIs and their benefits for IT governance.

Defined service level agreements (SLAs), project portfolio dashboards, and IT user survey results are also useful ways to monitor the achievement of overall IT objectives, but they are not the best way. Defined SLAs are contracts that specify the scope, standards, and expectations of IT service delivery, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and rights of both the service provider and the service recipient. Defined SLAs can help ensure that the IT services meet the quality and availability requirements of the business units, as well as monitor and measure the service performance and compliance. Project portfolio dashboards are tools that display the status, progress, and performance of IT projects in a graphical or visual way. Project portfolio dashboards can help track and communicate the key information and data about IT projects, such as scope, schedule, budget, risks, or issues. IT user survey results are feedback or opinions collected from the end users of IT systems or services through questionnaires or interviews. IT user survey results can help gauge and improve the user satisfaction and experience with IT systems or services, as well as identify and address any user needs or expectations.

A data classification policy is a set of rules and standards that define how data is categorized and labeled according to its sensitivity, value, and criticality for the organization1. An effective data classification policy helps to ensure that data is properly protected, accessed, and managed throughout its lifecycle2. The best way to support the implementation of an effective data classification policy is to have clear guidelines adopted by the business, because they provide a common understanding and framework for data owners, stewards, and users to classify and handle data according to the business context and requirements3. Clear guidelines also help to ensure consistency, compliance, and accountability for data classification across the organization4.

References :=

• Data Classification Policy | Information Security Office
• Data Governance and Classification Policy - University of Cincinnati
• Data governance processes - Cloud Adoption Framework
• Data classification in the Microsoft Purview governance portal

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.

This should be the IT steering committee’s primary concern, as moving to an external cloud service provider may introduce new or different risks to the enterprise, such as data security, privacy, compliance, availability, performance, vendor lock-in, and service level agreements12. The IT steering committee should update the business risk profile to reflect the current and potential risks associated with the cloud service provider, and to ensure that they are aligned with the enterprise’s risk appetite and tolerance12. The IT steering committee should also monitor and manage the risks throughout the cloud service lifecycle, and implement appropriate controls and mitigation strategies to protect the enterprise’s assets and interests12. The other options are not as important as updating the business risk profile, as they are not directly related to the strategic decision to reduce operating costs for the next year. Calculating the cost of the current solution, changing the IT steering committee charter, and revising the business’s balanced scorecard are possible actions that may be taken after updating the business risk profile, based on the identified risks and their levels3.

This should be the first step to ensure that information can be traced to the originating event and accountable parties, as it helps to establish the authenticity, integrity, and reliability of the information. Source information and supporting evidence are the data and documents that provide the context, details, and proof of an information event, such as who, what, when, where, why, and how1. By capturing source information and supporting evidence, an enterprise can link the information to its source and originator, verify its accuracy and completeness, and identify its owner and custodian1. Capturing source information and supporting evidence can also help to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements for information traceability, such as data protection, privacy, audit, and e-discovery2. Capturing source information and supporting evidence is a prerequisite for the other options, such as improving business process controls, reviewing information event logs for potential incidents, and reviewing retention requirements for source information, as these activities depend on the availability and quality of the source information and supporting evidence.

This is because stakeholder analysis is a process of identifying and prioritizing the people or groups who have an interest, influence, or impact on the enterprise’s objectives and activities. Stakeholder analysis can help to understand the business expectations, needs, preferences, and concerns of different stakeholders, as well as their roles and responsibilities in the governance program. Stakeholder analysis can also help to engage and communicate with stakeholders effectively, and to align the governance program with the business strategy and value creation.

Some of the sources that support this answer are:

• 1: This source explains the importance and benefits of stakeholder analysis for IT governance, and provides some tips and tools for conducting it. It suggests that stakeholder analysis can help to ensure that IT governance meets stakeholder needs, delivers value, and supports business objectives.
• 2: This source defines stakeholder analysis and describes its steps and techniques. It also provides some examples of stakeholder analysis templates and matrices that can be used for IT governance projects.
• 3: This source discusses how stakeholder analysis can be used in the TOGAF framework for enterprise architecture. It states that stakeholder analysis should be used during Phase A (Architecture Vision) to identify the key players in the engagement, and also be updated throughout each phase; different stakeholders may be uncovered as the engagement progresses through into Opportunities & Solutions, Migration Planning, and Architecture Change Management.
• 4: This source presents a chapter on enterprise governance of IT processes from a book titled “Enterprise Governance of Information Technology: Achieving Alignment and Value, Featuring COBIT 5”. It mentions that stakeholder analysis is one of the key activities for defining the IT governance framework, as it helps to identify the relevant stakeholders and their expectations, roles, and responsibilities.

The BEST method for the IT strategy committee to evaluate how well the IT department supports the business strategy is to use IT balanced scorecard reporting. An IT balanced scorecard (BSC) is a strategic management tool that translates the IT vision and mission into measurable objectives, indicators, targets, and initiatives across four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth1. An IT balanced scorecard reporting is a process of collecting, analyzing, and communicating the performance data and results of the IT department based on the IT BSC framework2. An IT balanced scorecard reporting can help to:

• Align the IT objectives and activities with the business strategy and expectations3
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and value of the IT department
• Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the IT department
• Communicate and demonstrate the contribution and impact of the IT department to the business outcomes

Therefore, an IT balanced scorecard reporting is the most suitable method for the IT strategy committee to assess how well the IT department supports the business strategy.

The other options are not as good as option C. While it is useful to conduct a capability maturity assessment, a customer survey analysis, or an IT controls assurance program, these are not comprehensive enough to evaluate how well the IT department supports the business strategy. They are rather focused on specific aspects of the IT department, such as its processes, services, or controls. They do not necessarily cover all four perspectives of the IT BSC framework, which provide a holistic view of the IT performance and alignment with the business strategy. References :=

• The IT Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Explained - BMC Software1
• What Is a Balanced Scorecard (BSC), How Is it Used in Business?2
• How to Align Your Business Strategy with Your Technology Strategy …3
• How to Measure Your Strategic Plan’s Success - dummies
• SWOT Analysis: What It Is and When to Use It - Business News Daily
• How to Communicate Strategy Effectively - ClearPoint Strategy

The impact of information exposure is the most important factor for an enterprise to review when classifying information assets, because it helps to determine the level of sensitivity and protection that the information assets require. Information assets are classified according to their confidentiality, integrity, and availability, which reflect the potential harm or loss that could result from unauthorized disclosure, modification, or destruction of the information assets. The impact of information exposure can be assessed in terms of financial, reputational, legal, operational, or strategic consequences for the enterprise and its stakeholders. The impact of information exposure can also vary depending on the context, scope, and duration of the exposure. Therefore, by reviewing the impact of information exposure, an enterprise can assign appropriate labels and controls to its information assets, and ensure that they are handled and stored securely and appropriately. References := Information classification according to ISO 27001, Information Asset and Security Classification Procedure, Information Classification Standard.

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 PRIMARY purpose of information governance is to set direction for information management capabilities through prioritization and decision making. Information governance is the overall strategy for information at an organization. It balances the risk that information presents with the value that information provides1. Information governance helps with legal compliance, operational transparency, and reducing expenditures associated with legal discovery1. To achieve this, information governance requires setting direction for information management capabilities through prioritization and decision making. This involves defining and implementing policies and processes for the effective and efficient acquisition, storage, distribution, usage, and disposal of information in alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements2. It also involves ensuring the protection of information quality, integrity, availability, confidentiality, and ownership2. By setting direction for information management capabilities through prioritization and decision making, information governance can help to optimize the value and minimize the risk of information assets. References :=

• Information governance - Wikipedia1
• What is Information Governance? Why is it Important?3

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

 A data classification policy is a plan that helps an organization determine the risk tolerance and security requirements for its data assets. A data classification policy separates data into different categories based on its sensitivity, such as public, private, or restricted. A data classification policy should be established first so that data owners can consistently assess the level of data protection needed across the enterprise, as it helps them to identify the types and locations of data they own, the potential threats and impacts of data breaches, and the appropriate security controls and measures to safeguard their data. A data classification policy also helps to ensure compliance with regulatory and legal obligations, as well as to optimize data management and governance practices. References: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA1, CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Data Classification Policy: Benefits, Examples, and Techniques2, Why data classification is important for security | Infosec3

 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 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 first step for executive management to take in communicating what is considered acceptable use with regard to personally owned devices for company business is to develop and disseminate an applicable policy. A policy is a written set of rules and guidelines that defines the scope, objectives, roles, and responsibilities of the BYOD program. A policy also specifies the security, privacy, and usage requirements and expectations for the employees and the organization. A policy helps to establish a clear and consistent understanding of what is acceptable and unacceptable when using personal devices for work purposes, and what are the consequences of non-compliance. A policy also helps to mitigate the potential risks and challenges associated with BYOD, such as data breaches, device loss or theft, malware infections, legal liabilities, and support issues. A policy should be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, such as IT, HR, legal, and business units, and disseminated to all employees through various channels, such as email, intranet, training sessions, and awareness campaigns. References: BYOD Policies for Organizations (4 Examples) - Dashlane1, Mobile Device Security–Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Draft SP 1800-22 …2, Personally Owned Device Policy — FBI

IT resource staffing requirements are the human resources needed to deliver IT services and support business objectives. Periodically evaluating IT resource staffing requirements is important to ensure the enterprise has sufficient resources to address changing business and IT needs, such as new projects, technologies, regulations, or customer expectations12. By assessing the current and future demand and supply of IT skills and competencies, the enterprise can identify any gaps or surpluses and plan accordingly to optimize IT performance and value34. The other options are not the primary reason for periodically evaluating IT resource staffing requirements, although they may be related or beneficial outcomes. Ascertaining the IT function has sufficient skilled staff to maintain daily operations, verifying that human resource recruitment and retention processes meet enterprise IT objectives, and confirming IT-related responsibilities are defined for the enterprise’s business and IT staff are all part of the IT resource staffing management process, but they are not the main driver or purpose of it34. References:

• 3: https://www.aihr.com/blog/staffing-planning/
• 1: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-organization-blog/the-future-of-the-workplace-embracing-change-and-fostering-connectivity
• 2: https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/adaptability-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/
• 4: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/staffing-plan

Assigning responsibility for vendor management is the best way to avoid the situation where the IT department outsourced application support and negotiated service level agreements (SLAs) directly with the vendor, but the business owner expectations were not met and senior management cancelled the contract. Vendor management is the process of managing the relationship with a supplier, also known as a vendor or a third party1. Vendor management involves selecting, contracting, monitoring, evaluating, and communicating with vendors to ensure that they deliver the goods and services that meet the business needs and objectives1. Assigning responsibility for vendor management helps to ensure that there is a clear and consistent governance structure, strategy, and policy for working with vendors2. It also helps to align the expectations and interests of all the stakeholders involved, such as the IT department, the business owners, and the senior management2. Assigning responsibility for vendor management also helps to avoid duplication of efforts, conflicts of interest, or gaps in oversight that could result in poor vendor performance, dissatisfaction, or risk exposure2.

References := 9 vendor management best practices for 2023 - Juro, Best Practices for Vendor Management | Smartsheet.

The CIO should first establish a business case for the BYOD program, because a business case is a document that outlines the rationale, objectives, benefits, costs, risks, and feasibility of a proposed project or initiative1. A business case can help the CIO to justify the need and value of the BYOD program to the senior management and stakeholders, and to secure the necessary funding and resources for its implementation. A business case can also help the CIO to define the scope, requirements, and success criteria of the BYOD program, and to align it with the enterprise’s strategy, goals, and governance framework2. According to ISACA’s CGEIT Domain 2: IT Resources3, “the enterprise should have a clear business case for each IT investment decision that includes expected benefits, costs, risks and alignment with strategic objectives.” Furthermore, according to ISACA’s article on BYOD, “a business case is essential for any BYOD initiative as it helps to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs and risks.” Therefore, establishing a business case is the best first step for the CIO who is considering introducing a BYOD program.

The best way for an IT steering committee to monitor the adoption of a new enterprise IT strategy is to establish key performance indicators (KPIs), because they are metrics that measure the progress and achievement of the IT strategic objectives and goals, and provide feedback and guidance for improvement. KPIs can help the IT steering committee to track and evaluate the performance and outcomes of the IT function, and to ensure that the IT activities and resources are aligned with the business needs and expectations12. KPIs can also help to communicate and report the IT value delivery and innovation to the board and other stakeholders12. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 43-44.

An information classification framework would be the most helpful to an enterprise that wants to standardize how sensitive corporate data is handled, because it provides a systematic and consistent way to identify, label, and protect the data according to its level of sensitivity and the impact of its exposure. An information classification framework helps to define the criteria and methods for classifying data into different categories, such as public, internal, confidential, or secret1. It also helps to specify the roles and responsibilities, policies and procedures, standards and expectations, and tools and techniques for handling data securely and appropriately throughout its life cycle2. An information classification framework also helps to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements, and to reduce the risks, costs, and complexity associated with data management3.

References := Information classification – How to do it according to ISO 27001, Create a well-designed data classification framework, Information classification framework diagram.

The MOST important consideration when planning for long-term IT service delivery is the ability of the IT organization to sustain business requirements. A service-oriented IT organization model is one that focuses on delivering value and outcomes to the business through IT services that are aligned with business needs and expectations1. To achieve this, the IT organization must be able to adapt to the changing and growing demands of the business, as well as the advances in technology and innovation. The IT organization must also have the necessary resources, capabilities, processes, and governance mechanisms to ensure the quality, reliability, availability, security, and performance of the IT services2. Therefore, the ability of the IT organization to sustain business requirements is essential for long-term IT service delivery.

The other options are not as important as option D. While it is important to have the approval of the business, an IT risk management process, and a comprehensive service catalog, these are not sufficient to ensure long-term IT service delivery. They are rather means to achieve the end goal of satisfying and sustaining business requirements. References :=

• Make the IT function service-oriented - @CIOPortfolio1
• What is SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture)? | IBM

One of the primary responsibilities of a data steward is to classify and label organizational data assets, which means to assign categories and tags to the data based on its characteristics, such as type, source, sensitivity, quality, or purpose. Classifying and labeling data helps to organize, manage, and protect the data assets, as well as to facilitate their discovery, access, and usage. Data stewards are also responsible for defining and maintaining the data classification and labeling standards and policies, and ensuring their compliance across the organization. References: What Is a Data Steward? Roles & Responsibilities | Zuar1, Data Stewards: Who They Are & Why Data Stewardship Matters - HubSpot Blog2, Data Steward: Roles, Responsibilities, and Certification3

because this would help the enterprise to comply with privacy laws and regulations by identifying and labeling the data according to its sensitivity, confidentiality, and protection requirements. Data classification can help the enterprise to apply the appropriate security controls, access rights, retention policies, and disposal methods for the data, and to prevent unauthorized or unlawful use, disclosure, or breach of the data12. Data classification can also help the enterprise to demonstrate its accountability and transparency for the data processing activities, and to meet the expectations and rights of the data subjects12.

A gap analysis is the process of comparing the current state and the desired state of an organization or a system, and identifying the gaps or differences between them1. A gap analysis can help to determine the actions and resources needed to bridge the gaps and achieve the desired outcomes2. In the context of an IT infrastructure integration after a major acquisition, a gap analysis can help to:

• Assess the compatibility and interoperability of the IT systems, applications, data, and processes of both companies3
• Identify the gaps, risks, issues, and opportunities related to the IT infrastructure integration4
• Prioritize and plan the IT infrastructure integration activities and projects5
• Align the IT infrastructure integration with the business goals and objectives of the acquisition

Therefore, conducting a gap analysis should be done NEXT after deciding that both companies will be using the parent company’s IT infrastructure.

The other options are not as important as option C. While it is important to update the enterprise architecture (EA), perform a business impact analysis (BIA), and develop a communication plan to support the merger, these are subsequent steps that can be done after conducting a gap analysis. A gap analysis can provide valuable inputs and insights for these steps, such as the current and target EA, the potential impacts of the IT infrastructure integration on the business operations and stakeholders, and the communication needs and channels for the IT infrastructure integration. References :=

• What is Gap Analysis? Definition, Methodology & Examples | ASQ1
• Gap Analysis: How to Bridge the Gap Between Performance and …2
• How to Make a Successful IT Integration Strategy for Mergers and …4
• M&A: The Six Phases of IT Integration - Interlink Cloud Blog3
• Post-Merger Integration: M&A Integration Process Guide - DealRoom5
• Success Factors for Integrating IT Systems After a Merger | CIO

This is because a portfolio review is a process of evaluating the performance and value of IT investments in relation to the business objectives and strategy. A portfolio review can help to identify the alignment, contribution, and optimization of IT investments, as well as the risks, issues, and opportunities for improvement. A portfolio review can also help to communicate and demonstrate the value of IT to the board and other stakeholders, as well as to support decision-making and prioritization of IT resources.

Some of the sources that support this answer are:

• 1: This source explains the value of IT governance and how it can help to optimize risk and manage resources to support the organization’s mission, goals, and objectives. It also discusses some of the governance enablers, such as principles, processes, and policies, that can help to align IT with the business context.
• 2: This source provides a research-based methodology to improve IT governance and drive business results. It suggests that conducting a portfolio review is one of the steps to redesign the governance framework and ensure that IT investments are aligned with the business strategy and deliver value.
• 3: This source defines IT portfolio management as a discipline that enables organizations to manage their IT investments as a collection of projects, programs, and services that contribute to the enterprise’s strategic goals. It also describes some of the benefits of IT portfolio management, such as improving alignment, optimizing value, reducing risk, and enhancing transparency.

Interdependent systems are those that rely on each other for data, functionality, or performance. If the business case for an ERP implementation overlooks the interdependencies among the existing systems, it may underestimate the complexity, cost, and risk of the project. The ERP implementation may also fail to achieve the expected benefits of integration, automation, and optimization if the interdependent systems are not properly aligned and coordinated. References: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA1, CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version)2

 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.

The best IT governance action to minimize the likelihood of IT failures jeopardizing the corporate value of an IT-dependent organization is to implement an IT risk management framework. An IT risk management framework is a set of policies, processes, and tools that help identify, analyze, evaluate, treat, monitor, and communicate the IT risks that may affect the achievement of the organization’s objectives and goals. An IT risk management framework can help reduce the probability and impact of IT failures, such as system outages, data breaches, cyberattacks, or project delays, by implementing appropriate controls and mitigation strategies. An IT risk management framework can also help align the IT risks with the organization’s risk appetite and tolerance, as well as ensure compliance with regulations and standards. What is IT Risk Management? | RSA provides an overview of IT risk management and its benefits.

Installing an IT continuous monitoring solution, defining IT performance management measures, and benchmarking IT strategy against industry peers are also useful IT governance actions, but they are not the best way to minimize the likelihood of IT failures. Installing an IT continuous monitoring solution is a process that uses software tools or systems to collect, analyze, and report on IT performance and compliance data, such as availability, reliability, security, or efficiency. Installing an IT continuous monitoring solution can help detect and respond to IT failures in a timely and effective manner, as well as improve the visibility and accountability of IT operations. Defining IT performance management measures is a task that involves selecting and defining the metrics that measure the achievement of specific goals or objectives for IT processes, systems, or services. Defining IT performance management measures can help evaluate and communicate the effectiveness and efficiency of IT operations, services, and projects, as well as their contribution to business value and customer satisfaction. Benchmarking IT strategy against industry peers is a technique that involves comparing and contrasting the IT practices, capabilities, or outcomes of an organization with those of its competitors or similar organizations. Benchmarking IT strategy against industry peers can help identify and adopt best practices or innovations for IT governance and management, as well as assess the strengths and weaknesses of the organization’s IT performance.

The most important thing to ensure appropriate ownership of access controls to address the deficiency of noncompliance with privacy regulations is to grant access to information based on information architecture. Information architecture is the design and organization of information and data in a way that supports the business objectives, processes, and requirements. Information architecture can help define the ownership, classification, and protection of information assets, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and rules for accessing and managing them. By granting access to information based on information architecture, the enterprise can ensure that only authorized and legitimate users can access the information that they need, and that the information is handled in accordance with the privacy regulations and policies. According to 1, access control is an essential element of security that determines who is allowed to access certain data, apps, and resources—and in what circumstances. According to 2, a privacy management framework provides steps to meet the ongoing compliance obligations under privacy principles, such as establishing robust and effective privacy practices, procedures and systems.

The other options are not the most important things to ensure appropriate ownership of access controls to address the deficiency of noncompliance with privacy regulations. Engaging an audit of logical access controls and related security policies is a step that may be done after granting access to information based on information architecture, as it involves verifying and testing the effectiveness and compliance of the access controls and policies. Implementing multi-factor authentication controls is a step that may be done after granting access to information based on information architecture, as it involves enhancing the security and verification of the user identity and credentials. Authenticating access to information assets based on roles or business rules is a step that may be done after granting access to information based on information architecture, as it involves implementing a specific type of access control mechanism that assigns permissions and restrictions based on predefined roles or business rules.

A data steward is a subject matter expert who is responsible for defining and maintaining the integrity of a specific type of data or data domain1. They help the organization build data glossaries, create and maintain data quality rules, and determine who has access to data1. Data stewards also work closely with any system of record to ensure proper controls are in place and are maintained to ensure the data produced is of high quality2. Therefore, if the IT department has determined that problems with a business report are due to quality issues within a set of data, they should refer the matter to the data steward for resolution. References := CGEIT Review Manual, Chapter 3: Benefits Realization, Section 3.2: IT Value Delivery Processes, Subsection 3.2.4: Data Quality Management, Page 103.

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.

The number of events impacting business processes due to delays in responding to risks is the best outcome measure to determine the effectiveness of IT risk management processes, because it reflects the actual consequences and losses that result from inadequate or ineffective risk management. Outcome measures are metrics that evaluate the results and benefits of a process or activity, rather than the inputs or outputs1. Outcome measures help to assess whether the process or activity is achieving its objectives and delivering value to the organization1. The number of events impacting business processes due to delays in responding to risks is an outcome measure that indicates how well the IT risk management processes are able to identify, analyze, evaluate, treat, monitor, and communicate IT risks in a timely and appropriate manner. A high number of such events would suggest that the IT risk management processes are not effective, and that they need to be improved or revised. A low number of such events would suggest that the IT risk management processes are effective, and that they are reducing the likelihood and impact of IT risks on the organization.

References := How To Measure Risk Management KPI & Metrics - ERM Software

The best way for IT to prepare for a transformation initiative by leveraging emerging technology that will have a significant impact on existing products and services is to assess the impact on the existing IT strategy. An IT strategy is a plan that defines how IT will support the business strategy and objectives, and how IT will deliver value to the enterprise1. By assessing the impact of the emerging technology on the existing IT strategy, IT can determine whether the current IT vision, mission, goals, and capabilities are aligned with the transformation initiative, and whether they need to be revised or updated2. Assessing the impact of the emerging technology on the existing IT strategy also helps IT to identify and prioritize the opportunities, challenges, and risks that the emerging technology may bring, and to develop appropriate solutions and responses3. Assessing the impact of the emerging technology on the existing IT strategy also helps IT to communicate and collaborate with the business stakeholders, and to ensure that the IT investments are aligned with the business needs and expectations4.

References := IT Strategy: What is it?, How to create an effective IT strategy in 2022, Emerging Technology Strategy: A Guide for CIOs, Maximizing Emerging Technology Adoption Benefits - Gartner

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.

An enterprise code of ethics is a set of principles and values that guide the behavior and decision-making of the organization and its members. It can help to incorporate desired organizational behaviors into the IT governance framework by establishing a common understanding and expectation of what is acceptable and unacceptable, and by promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, and responsibility. References := ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 17.

 The MOST effective way for the CIO to ensure that the new IT objectives are cascaded to IT personnel is to define individual performance measures related to the IT objectives. Cascading goals is a framework to get everyone in an organization aligned with the big picture organizational goal, and to make sure they know what to do by breaking strategy into clear tasks and deliverables1. By defining individual performance measures related to the IT objectives, the CIO can:

• Communicate the expectations and priorities of the IT function to each IT staff member2
• Link the individual goals and activities to the IT objectives and the organizational strategy3
• Motivate and empower the IT staff to take ownership and responsibility for their work4
• Monitor and evaluate the progress and performance of the IT staff and provide feedback and recognition5

The other options are not as effective as option B. While it is important to communicate the new IT objectives, establish IT management’s performance measures, and update the IT balanced scorecard, these are not sufficient to ensure that the IT objectives are cascaded to IT personnel. They are rather means to achieve the end goal of aligning and measuring the IT objectives at different levels of the organization. They do not necessarily translate into clear and specific actions and outcomes for each individual IT staff member.

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

This is because social media can offer many advantages for an enterprise, such as enhancing customer engagement, increasing brand awareness, improving market intelligence, and fostering innovation. However, social media also poses many challenges and threats, such as data breaches, privacy violations, reputational damage, legal liabilities, and compliance issues. Therefore, an enterprise needs to balance the business benefits and risk of using social media in the workplace, and establish a clear and consistent social media policy and governance framework that defines the objectives, roles, responsibilities, standards, and processes for managing social media activities and data.

Some of the sources that support this answer are:

• 1: This source provides a comprehensive guide on how to create a social media governance plan that covers the key elements of a social media policy, compliance management, security and risk mitigation, decision-making and approval workflow, and crisis management.
• 2: This source discusses the gaps, risks, and opportunities of social media governance in the context of Australian public communication. It identifies some of the best practices and recommendations for developing and implementing a social media strategy that aligns with the organizational goals and values, as well as the legal and ethical obligations.
• 3: This source explores the social media governance challenges and solutions for financial services companies. It highlights the importance of balancing the business benefits and risk of social media, and suggests some of the key steps to achieve effective social media governance, such as conducting a risk assessment, defining a social media policy, establishing a governance structure, monitoring and measuring performance, and reviewing and updating the strategy.

Mapping of business objectives to IT risk is the most important factor to address in a risk self-assessment for current IT services, because it helps to align the IT risk management strategy with the business strategy and goals. Mapping of business objectives to IT risk also helps to identify and prioritize the key IT risks that could affect the achievement of the business objectives, and to determine the appropriate risk responses and controls. Mapping of business objectives to IT risk also helps to communicate the value and benefits of IT risk management to the business stakeholders, and to foster a risk-aware culture within the organization. One of the sources that supports this answer is A Comprehensive Guide To Risk And Control Self -Assessment RCSA, which states that “RCSA aims to include the use of risk management techniques, business processes, and cultures in staff work and businesses to achieve objectives.”

 A data steward is a role that is responsible for data normalization when it is found that a new system includes duplicates of data items, because a data steward is accountable for the quality, integrity, and consistency of the data in the enterprise. A data steward can define and enforce data standards, policies, and rules, and perform data cleansing, validation, and reconciliation activities to ensure that the data is accurate, complete, and reliable12.

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].

 Enterprise architecture (EA) is the best approach to assist an enterprise in planning for IT-enabled investments, because it provides a holistic and integrated view of the current and future state of the business, IT, and their alignment1. EA helps to identify and prioritize the business needs and objectives, and to design and deliver the IT solutions that support them2. EA also helps to optimize the IT resources and processes, and to ensure that they are aligned with the business strategy and goals3. EA also helps to measure and monitor the IT performance and outcomes, and to evaluate the value and benefits of the IT investments4. EA also helps to manage the risks, costs, and complexity of the IT investments, and to ensure that they comply with the legal and regulatory requirements5. Therefore, EA is the best approach to assist an enterprise in planning for IT-enabled investments.

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.

According to the CGEIT exam guide, a global IT program management office (PMO) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the IT projects and programs across the enterprise, ensuring alignment with the enterprise’s strategy, objectives and governance framework. A PMO also helps to identify, assess, monitor and mitigate the risks associated with IT projects and programs, and to optimize the benefits and value delivered by IT investments. Therefore, the primary concern of the PMO should be the inability to reduce the impact to the risk level of the global portfolio, as this could jeopardize the overall performance and success of the enterprise’s IT initiatives. If several IT projects are being run within a specific region without knowledge of the PMO, this could create potential risks such as duplication of efforts, lack of integration, inconsistency of standards and practices, misalignment of expectations and requirements, and conflicts of interests or resources. These risks could negatively affect the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the IT projects and programs, as well as their alignment with the enterprise’s strategy, objectives and governance framework. The PMO should be aware of all IT projects and programs within the enterprise, and ensure that they follow a consistent and transparent process of planning, execution, monitoring and control. The PMO should also ensure that the IT projects and programs are aligned with the enterprise’s risk appetite and tolerance, and that they are regularly assessed for their risks, benefits and value. References: CGEIT Exam Candidate Guide, page 14. CGEIT Certification, The Role of Program Management Offices (PMOs) in Driving Business Strategy Execution

The best way for a CIO to monitor the alignment between the business and IT strategy is to regularly review the balanced scorecard. The balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool that helps to measure and communicate the performance of an organization in relation to its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. The balanced scorecard uses four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth, to evaluate how well the organization is achieving its desired outcomes and creating value for its stakeholders1. The balanced scorecard can also help to align the IT strategy with the business strategy by linking the IT objectives, initiatives, and measures with the business objectives, initiatives, and measures across the four perspectives2. By reviewing the balanced scorecard regularly, the CIO can monitor the progress and results of the IT strategy, identify the gaps and issues that need to be addressed, and ensure that the IT strategy is supporting and enabling the business strategy. According to COBIT 5, one of the seven enablers of IT governance is performance management, which includes using the balanced scorecard to align IT-related goals and metrics with enterprise goals and metrics3. The balanced scorecard is also part of the IT governance domain 5: Performance Measurement4.

The other options are not the best ways for a CIO to monitor the alignment between the business and IT strategy. Key risk indicators (KRIs) are metrics that indicate the level of risk exposure or potential impact of a risk event on an organization. KRIs can help to monitor and manage IT risks, but they do not necessarily reflect the alignment of IT strategy with business strategy. IT services supporting business processes are the activities and functions that IT provides to enable and facilitate the execution of business processes. Reviewing IT services can help to evaluate the quality and efficiency of IT delivery, but they do not capture the strategic alignment of IT with business. The risk register is a document that records and tracks the identified risks, their causes, impacts, probabilities, responses, owners, and statuses. The risk register can help to document and communicate IT risks, but it does not measure or report the alignment of IT strategy with business strategy. References := 1: Balanced Scorecard Basics - Balanced Scorecard Institute12: Aligning Business Strategy with Information Technology Strategy - ISACA23: COBIT 5: A Business Framework for the Governance and Management of Enterprise IT, ISACA, page 314: CGEIT Review Manual 2023, ISACA, page 197. : Key Risk Indicators - ISACA3 : What are IT Services? Definition & Examples - BMC Software4 : Risk Register - ISACA

 Quantitative analysis is the best method to assess the risk of plausible scenarios that could result in economic loss associated with major IT investments, because it tries to assign objective numerical or measurable values to the components of the risk assessment and to the assessment of potential loss1. Quantitative analysis can help estimate the probability and impact of risk events, calculate the expected monetary value (EMV) of risk, and compare the costs and benefits of different risk responses2. Quantitative analysis can also provide a more accurate and objective basis for decision making than qualitative analysis, which is scenario-based and relies on subjective judgments1. References := 1: Risk Assessment and Analysis Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative - ISACA12: 6 Types of Risk Assessment Methodologies + How to Choose - Drata2

Risk appetite is the amount and type of risk that an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. Risk appetite of the enterprise should be the primary consideration when developing a risk management policy for a portfolio of IT-enabled investments, because it helps to align the risk management strategy with the business strategy and goals. Risk appetite also helps to define the risk tolerance and thresholds for each investment, and to prioritize and allocate resources accordingly. Risk appetite also helps to communicate the expectations and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in the risk management process, and to foster a risk-aware culture within the organization. References := CGEIT Review Manual, Chapter 4: Risk Optimization, Section 4.1: IT Risk Management Strategy, Subsection 4.1.1: Establishing IT Risk Appetite, Page 139.

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/

The most critical activity for reducing the impact caused by IT staff turnover is to document processes and procedures, as this can help preserve the knowledge and experience of the existing IT staff, as well as facilitate the training and orientation of the new IT staff. Documenting processes and procedures can also help standardize and improve the quality and efficiency of IT operations, services, and projects, as well as ensure compliance with regulations and policies. Documenting processes and procedures can also help define and clarify the roles and responsibilities of the IT staff, as well as the expectations and requirements of the business units.

Outsourcing the IT operation, increasing compensation for IT staff, and hiring temporary staff are possible activities for addressing the IT staff turnover issue, but they are not the most critical activity. Outsourcing the IT operation may reduce the dependency on internal IT staff, but it may also introduce new risks and challenges for IT governance and management, such as vendor selection, contract negotiation, service level agreement (SLA) monitoring, and data security. Increasing compensation for IT staff may improve the retention and motivation of the existing IT staff, but it may also increase the operational costs and budget constraints of the IT department. Hiring temporary staff may fill the gaps or shortages in IT skills or resources, but it may also affect the continuity and consistency of IT service delivery, as well as the integration and collaboration of IT teams.

 When prioritizing IT projects, the primary consideration for an enterprise should be the impact on the business due to expected project outcomes, because this would align the IT investments with the enterprise’s strategic objectives and value creation. The impact on the business can be assessed by using criteria such as return on investment (ROI), net present value (NPV), risk exposure, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage12. References:= ISACA, CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, 2019, page 31-32.

A key governance consideration for the IT steering committee when evaluating vendors to provide mobile device management (MDM) services is to ensure that the service level targets align with the business requirements. Service level targets are the measurable and agreed-upon levels of performance and quality that the vendor is expected to deliver for the MDM services. These targets should reflect the business needs and expectations of the organization, such as availability, reliability, security, scalability, and functionality of the MDM services. Service level targets should also be realistic, achievable, and verifiable, and should be specified in the service level agreements (SLAs) that are part of the contract with the vendor. By ensuring that the service level targets align with the business requirements, the IT steering committee can facilitate the selection of a suitable and reliable vendor that can provide effective and efficient MDM services for the organization. References: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA1, CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), Mobile Device Management (MDM) - Gartner2, How to Set Service Level Targets for Your IT Support Team

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively an organization is achieving its key business objectives1. KPIs help to track and evaluate the progress and success of a strategy, and to communicate the results to the relevant stakeholders2. Once the strategic vision has been established, identifying KPIs would be the best activity for supporting the implementation of performance measures, because they provide a clear and quantifiable way to measure the performance of the strategy against the vision3. KPIs should be aligned with the strategic vision, relevant to the business context, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound4.

References :=

• What is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI)? | Klipfolio
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - Definition, Types & Examples
• How to Develop Key Performance Indicators - Strategy Management Group
• How to Set SMART KPIs for Your Business - The Balance Small Business

This is the best way to mitigate the human factors of social engineering risk within the organization from a governance perspective, as it helps to educate and empower the employees to recognize and prevent social engineering attacks. Social engineering attacks are malicious attacks that use deception and manipulation to exploit human behavior and trick people into revealing sensitive information, clicking malicious links, or opening malicious files1. These attacks can cause serious damage to the organization, such as financial loss, data breach, reputation harm, or legal liability1. Therefore, it is essential to address the human factors of social engineering risk, which are the psychological and emotional vulnerabilities that make people susceptible to these attacks, such as curiosity, greed, fear, urgency, or trust2. By mandating annual security awareness training, the organization can raise the level of knowledge and awareness among the employees about the common types, techniques, and indicators of social engineering attacks, as well as the best practices and policies to avoid them2. Security awareness training can also help to foster a culture of security and responsibility among the employees, and to reinforce their role and accountability in protecting the organization’s assets and interests2. The other options are not as effective as mandating annual security awareness training, as they do not address the human factors of social engineering risk directly. Distributing the social media information security policy to staff may help to inform them about the rules and expectations for using social media platforms, but it does not ensure that they understand or follow them. Restricting access to social media may help to reduce the exposure to potential social engineering attacks, but it does not prevent them from occurring through other channels or mediums. Mandating security requirements be included in employee contracts may help to enforce compliance and deter violations, but it does not prevent them from happening due to ignorance or negligence.

An IT steering committee is a group of senior executives and stakeholders who provide strategic direction, oversight, and guidance for IT initiatives and investments in an enterprise. An IT steering committee should be responsible for the implementation of an IT balanced scorecard, as it can ensure that the scorecard aligns with the enterprise’s vision, mission, goals, and strategies, and that it reflects the needs and expectations of the customers and other stakeholders. An IT steering committee can also monitor and evaluate the performance of the IT function based on the scorecard metrics, and provide feedback and recommendations for improvement. An IT steering committee can also facilitate communication and collaboration among the IT function and other business units, and promote a culture of accountability and transparency for IT performance. References: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA1, CGEIT Review Manual (Digital Version), How to implement the Balanced Scorecard: Best Practices & 10 Tips2, Who Should Manage Your Company’s Balanced Scorecard?3

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.

Reviewing the information governance framework should be the CIO’s primary focus before the migration, because it will help the CIO to ensure that the enterprise’s data and applications are secure, compliant, and aligned with the business objectives and policies in the cloud environment. The information governance framework defines the roles, responsibilities, processes, standards, and metrics for managing information assets across the enterprise. It also covers aspects such as data classification, data quality, data protection, data retention, data sovereignty, and data privacy. By reviewing the information governance framework, the CIO can identify the requirements, risks, and gaps that need to be addressed before moving to the cloud. The other options are not as important as reviewing the information governance framework, because they are either dependent on or secondary to it. Selecting best-of-breed cloud offerings is a tactical decision that should be based on the information governance framework and the enterprise architecture. Updating the enterprise architecture repository is a good practice, but not a primary focus before the migration. It can be done after the migration to reflect the changes in the IT landscape. Conducting IT staff training to manage cloud workloads is a necessary step, but not a primary focus before the migration. It can be done in parallel with or after the migration to ensure that the IT staff have the skills and knowledge to operate and optimize the cloud environment. References := Migration environment planning checklist, Practical Guide to Cloud Governance, Governance or compliance strategy

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.

 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

Operational processes are the routine and repetitive tasks that support the day-to-day operations of an enterprise, such as data entry, payroll, customer service, etc. These processes are usually well-defined, standardized, and measurable, which makes them easier to outsource to a third-party provider who can perform them more efficiently and cost-effectively. Outsourcing operational processes can also free up internal resources and capabilities for more strategic and innovative activities that add value to the enterprise. Therefore, operational processes that are well-defined are a good candidate for outsourcing.

References: ISACA, The Outsourcing Handbook A guide to outsourcing1. Time Doctor, The clear & complete guide to IT outsourcing (2023)2. Tutorial-Reports.com, Criteria for selecting an outsourcing vendor3

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 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 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.

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.

Adding the achievement of specific competencies to employee performance goals best supports an IT strategy committee's objective to align employee competencies with planned initiatives. This approach directly links employee development and performance evaluation to the acquisition of skills and knowledge required for the organization's strategic initiatives. By embedding competency development into performance goals, employees are incentivized to acquire the necessary skills, ensuring that the workforce is capable of supporting and executing strategic plans. While hiring students, specifying training hours, and requiring balanced scorecard training can contribute to skill development, integrating competency achievement into performance goals ensures a direct and measurable alignment with strategic needs.

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.

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.

 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

When an IT governance committee is reviewing its current risk management policy due to increased usage of social media within an enterprise, the first task should be to initiate an assessment of the impact on the business. This assessment will provide a comprehensive understanding of how social media usage affects various aspects of the business, including productivity, security, data privacy, and compliance with existing policies and regulations. Understanding the business impact will inform the committee's decisions on any necessary policy adjustments or controls to mitigate potential risks associated with social media usage. While reviewing current usage levels, blocking access, and reassessing BYOD policies are relevant considerations, they should be informed by an initial assessment of the business impact to ensure that any actions taken are aligned with the enterprise's strategic objectives and risk tolerance.

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

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 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.

The primary consideration for an enterprise when deciding whether to adopt a qualitative risk assessment method is:

• The level of detail and accuracy required for the risk assessment. Qualitative risk assessment is a method that uses scenarios, subjectivity, and knowledge to evaluate risks. It does not provide specific objective measurements of exposure, but rather a relative ranking or rating of risks based on their likelihood and impact1. Qualitative risk assessment is suitable for situations where the data is scarce, uncertain, or incomplete, or where the risk assessment needs to be done quickly and easily1. However, qualitative risk assessment may also be biased, inconsistent, or inaccurate, as it depends on the judgment and experience of the risk assessors1. Therefore, an enterprise should consider the level of detail and accuracy required for the risk assessment before choosing a qualitative method. If the enterprise needs more precise and reliable estimates of risk exposure, it may opt for a quantitative method instead1.
• The other options are not the primary consideration for an enterprise when deciding whether to adopt a qualitative risk assessment method. The method identifies areas to immediately address vulnerabilities, enables an analysis of recommended controls, and provides a platform for all departments to contribute to the risk assessment are all possible benefits or outcomes of using a qualitative risk assessment method, but they are not the main factor that influences the decision to use it. They may also apply to other methods of risk assessment, such as quantitative or hybrid methods2.

 Including the update of documentation within the change management framework is the best way to prevent the recurrence of similar findings in the future. This is because the change management framework is a systematic and structured approach to managing changes in IT systems, applications, processes, and procedures. By incorporating the update of documentation as part of the change management process, the IT department can ensure that any changes are properly documented and communicated to the relevant stakeholders, and that the documentation is always aligned with the actual practices. This will help to avoid any discrepancies or inconsistencies between the procedures and what is actually done by system administrators, and thus reduce the risk of audit findings or non-compliance issues. Assigning the responsibility for periodic revisions and changes to process owners, requiring each IT employee to confirm compliance with IT procedures on an annual basis, and establishing high-level procedures to minimize process changes are all possible measures to improve the documentation quality, but they are not as effective or efficient as including the update of documentation within the change management framework. They may not address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of coordination and integration between the documentation and the change management activities. References := Change Management Best Practices for IT Teams - Smartsheet, IT Documentation: Purpose and Best Practices - Helpjuice, IT Documentation Best Practices | IT Glue

Within a governance structure for risk management, the second line of defense is primarily responsible for monitoring risk and controls. This function involves overseeing the effectiveness of the first line of defense (operational management and control implementation) and ensuring that risk management practices are properly integrated into business processes. It serves as a check on the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management across the organization. While conducting audits is a function of the third line of defense (internal audit), and identifying and assessing risk is often a shared responsibility, the distinct role of the second line is to provide ongoing monitoring and oversight of risk management and control processes.

To obtain a holistic view of IT performance and identify potential gaps in service delivery, a CIO should review Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPIs are quantifiable measures that reflect the critical success factors of an organization and provide a comprehensive overview of performance across various aspects of IT service delivery, including efficiency, effectiveness, quality, and compliance with agreed service levels. While ROI analysis, SLA reporting, and staff performance evaluations offer valuable insights into specific areas, KPIs provide a broader perspective that encompasses various dimensions of IT performance, making them essential for a comprehensive assessment.

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 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

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

 A balanced scorecard (BSC) is a tool that helps measure and communicate the performance of an organization or a function in relation to its strategy and objectives. A BSC typically includes four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. A BSC can help a CIO to make improvements to the enterprise’s IT governance by defining the IT vision, mission, goals, and metrics that align with the business needs and expectations. A BSC can also help demonstrate the expected benefits from proposed changes by showing how they will affect the IT performance indicators and outcomes in each perspective. A BSC can provide a clear and comprehensive picture of the current and desired state of IT governance, as well as the gaps and opportunities for improvement. 

A periodic service provider audit is a process of conducting an independent and objective assessment of the service provider’s performance, quality, compliance, and security in relation to the agreed service level agreement (SLA) and the enterprise’s expectations and requirements. A periodic service provider audit can help provide quality of service oversight by:

• Verifying and validating the service provider’s claims and credentials, and ensuring that they meet the contractual obligations and standards
• Identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the service provider’s services, processes, and controls
• Detecting and reporting any issues, gaps, or risks that may affect the quality of service delivery or the enterprise’s objectives and value
• Recommending and implementing corrective and preventive actions to address and resolve the issues, gaps, or risks
• Monitoring and measuring the outcomes and effectiveness of the corrective and preventive actions, and ensuring their alignment with the SLA

References:

• According to the CGEIT Review Manual 20221, “Service provider audits are a key mechanism for ensuring that service providers are meeting their contractual obligations and delivering value to the enterprise. Service provider audits should be conducted periodically or as needed to assess the performance, quality, compliance, and security of the service provider’s services, processes, and controls.”
• According to the ISACA article on IT Outsourcing: Audit Considerations2, “IT outsourcing audit is a process of examining and evaluating the IT outsourcing arrangements between an enterprise and its service providers. IT outsourcing audit aims to provide assurance that the IT outsourcing arrangements are aligned with the enterprise’s strategy, objectives, and risk appetite; that the service providers are delivering the expected services in accordance with the SLAs; that the service providers are complying with the applicable laws, regulations, and standards; and that the service providers are managing and mitigating the IT outsourcing risks effectively.”
• According to the PwC article on Service Provider Audits3, “Service provider audits are an essential tool for organizations to gain insight into their service providers’ operations, controls, risks, and compliance status. Service provider audits can help organizations ensure that their service providers are meeting their expectations and obligations; identify any areas of improvement or concern; enhance their relationship and communication with their service providers; and optimize their IT outsourcing strategy.”

Facilitating the adoption of an IT governance program in an enterprise requires addressing the behavioral and cultural aspects of change. This approach recognizes that the success of such a program depends not only on the structural and strategic elements but also on how well the people within the organization accept and adapt to the changes. Addressing cultural aspects involves engaging stakeholders, fostering a governance mindset, and overcoming resistance to change, thereby ensuring a smoother and more effective implementation. While defining roles, building business cases, and communicating strategies are critical, they must be complemented by efforts to manage the human side of change.

• 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.

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

When an enterprise is considering establishing a virtual reality store to sell its products, the IT steering committee's first course of action should be to request a cost-benefit analysis. This analysis will evaluate the financial implications, potential returns, and strategic value of the investment, providing a basis for informed decision-making. While resource gap analysis, development of key risk indicators (KRIs), and threat assessment are important considerations, understanding the economic viability through a cost-benefit analysis is fundamental before proceeding with such strategic initiatives.

The CIO’s first step in deciding the appropriate response to the new regulatory requirement should be to consult with legal and risk experts to understand the requirements. This step is important because the legal and risk experts can provide the CIO with the relevant and accurate information about the new regulation, such as its scope, objectives, implications, and deadlines. The legal and risk experts can also advise the CIO on the potential risks and impacts of non-compliance, as well as the best practices and strategies for compliance .

The other options are not the first step in deciding the appropriate response to the new regulatory requirement, but rather subsequent steps that depend on the outcome of the consultation with the legal and risk experts. Revising initiatives that are active to reflect the new requirements is a step that occurs after the CIO has understood the requirements and assessed their impact on the current IT-enabled business activities. Confirming there are adequate resources to mitigate compliance requirements is a step that occurs after the CIO has identified and prioritized the actions and tasks needed to achieve compliance. Consulting with the board for guidance on the new requirements is a step that occurs after the CIO has developed and proposed a feasible and effective compliance plan.

References: : How to Respond to Regulatory Changes - Smartsheet : Regulatory Change Management: A Guide for Compliance Teams | LogicGate

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.

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

Risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing, evaluating, and treating the uncertainties that may affect the achievement of objectives. Risk management helps to ensure that decisions are made with an awareness of probability and impact, which means that the likelihood and consequences of potential events are considered and weighed against the benefits and costs of the actions. This can help to optimize the risk-reward balance, enhance the quality and consistency of decision-making, and support the achievement of desired outcomes. References:

• CGEIT Review Manual 2021, Chapter 2: IT Risk Management, Section 2.1: Risk Management Overview, page 551
• CGEIT Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual 2021, Question 1, page 152
• The Benefits of Risk Management - PMI3

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

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.

A steering committee involving business and IT is the best approach to enable effective communication to senior management regarding the project status for a strategic enterprise resource management system implementation. This is because a steering committee is a group of senior executives, stakeholders, and experts who provide strategic direction, guidance, and oversight for the project1. A steering committee can help to:

• Communicate the project vision, goals, benefits, and risks to senior management and other stakeholders1
• Monitor and review the project progress, performance, quality, and deliverables1
• Resolve any issues, conflicts, or changes that may arise during the project1
• Ensure the alignment of the project with the business strategy, objectives, and priorities1
• Provide support, resources, and sponsorship for the project1

A steering committee involving business and IT can ensure that both the functional and technical aspects of the project are well represented and communicated to senior management. This can help to avoid any misunderstandings, gaps, or misalignments between the business and IT perspectives. A steering committee can also facilitate effective communication among senior management, project team, and other stakeholders, and foster a collaborative and supportive environment for the project success2.

The other options, project management office with business and IT representatives, weekly project reports reviewed by business and IT management, and project status updates on the intranet are not as effective as a steering committee for enabling communication to senior management regarding the project status. A project management office is a centralized unit that provides standards, methodologies, tools, and support for project management3. A project management office can help to improve the efficiency and consistency of project delivery, but it does not have the authority or responsibility to communicate directly with senior management or influence their decisions3. Weekly project reports are documents that summarize the progress, performance, issues, and risks of a project in a given period4. Weekly project reports can help to keep senior management informed of the project status, but they may not be sufficient to address their concerns or expectations. Weekly project reports may also be too frequent or detailed for senior management who may prefer a higher-level or less frequent view of the project4. Project status updates on the intranet are web-based messages that provide information about the current state of a project5. Project status updates on the intranet can help to increase the visibility and transparency of the project status to senior management and other stakeholders, but they may not be effective in engaging them or soliciting their feedback. Project status updates on the intranet may also be overlooked or ignored by senior management who may have limited time or access to the intranet5. References := What is a Project Steering Committee? | Clarizen, How To Run An Effective Steering Committee Meeting - BrightWork, What Is a Project Management Office (PMO)? | Smartsheet, How To Write A Project Status Report: The Ultimate Guide, Project Status Update Email Sample : Templates and Examples

Establishing a data governance framework is the first strategic action in addressing the situation where financial data is being managed in a way that will negatively impact the enterprise’s ability to support regulatory reporting. This is because a data governance framework is a structured approach to managing and utilizing data in an organization. It includes policies, procedures, and standards that guide how data is collected, stored, managed, and used1. A data governance framework can help to:

• Improve data quality, accuracy, consistency, and completeness1
• Ensure data privacy, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements1
• Align data with business strategy, objectives, and priorities1
• Enhance data integration, accessibility, and usability1
• Define data roles and responsibilities and assign accountability1

By establishing a data governance framework, the enterprise can address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of control and oversight over the financial data. A data governance framework can help to ensure that the financial data is properly managed and utilized to support regulatory reporting and other business needs.

The other options, assigning data responsibilities through a RACI chart, reviewing key risk indicators (KRIs) related to data management, and updating data management policies are not as effective as establishing a data governance framework for addressing the situation. They are more related to the implementation and execution of the data governance framework, rather than its design. They are also dependent on the existence of a data governance framework, as they require a clear understanding of the data landscape, goals, and standards of the organization.

Ensuring that IT policies are aligned with organizational strategies is best achieved when the policies are developed using a top-down approach. This approach starts with strategic objectives and cascades down to operational policies, ensuring coherence and alignment with the overall direction and goals of the organization. While board approval, annual updates, and periodic audits are important for policy governance, the top-down development approach ensures that policies are inherently designed to support organizational strategies from the outset.

 A data steward is a functional role in data management and governance, with responsibility for ensuring that data policies and standards turn into practice within the steward’s domain. Data stewards assist the enterprise in leveraging domain data assets to full capacity1. One of the primary responsibilities of a data steward is to establish data quality requirements and metrics, which define the criteria and measures for assessing the fitness of data for its intended use. Data quality requirements and metrics are based on the business needs and expectations of the data consumers, and they cover various dimensions of data quality, such as accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, validity, and reliability23. Data stewards also monitor and report on the data quality performance, identify and resolve data quality issues, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the data quality4.

The other options are not the primary responsibility of a data steward, especially at an enterprise with mature data management programs. Implementing processes for data collection and use is a responsibility of a data engineer or a data analyst, who design and execute the technical aspects of data acquisition, transformation, storage, and analysis5. Ensuring compliance with data privacy laws and regulations is a responsibility of a data protection officer or a data privacy officer, who oversee the legal and ethical aspects of data processing, security, and consent. Developing data-related policies and procedures is a responsibility of a data governance committee or a data governance officer, who set the strategic direction and objectives for data management and governance across the enterprise.

References: 1: What Is a Data Steward? Roles & Responsibilities | Zuar2 2: Data Quality Requirements: Definition & Examples - Talend 3: Data Quality Metrics: Definition & Examples - Talend 4: 6 Key Responsibilities of the Invaluable Data Steward - Dun & Bradstreet1 5: Data Engineer vs. Data Analyst: What’s The Difference? - Simplilearn : What is a Data Protection Officer (DPO)? Learn About the Role & Responsibilities | Varonis : What is Data Governance? Definition, Best Practices & More | Collibra

Upon learning that business units have been independently procuring cloud services, the IT steering committee's best course of action is to define a procurement strategy based on business unit needs. This approach ensures that cloud service procurement aligns with the enterprise's overall IT strategy and governance policies while still addressing the specific requirements of individual business units. It fosters collaboration between IT and business units, ensuring that cloud services are vetted for compliance, security, and interoperability. Requiring cancellation, including business unit leadership in the EA review board, or limiting usage to open-source solutions may address aspects of the issue but do not provide a comprehensive strategy that aligns business needs with IT governance.

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

The greatest consideration when evaluating whether to comply with new carbon footprint regulations impacted by blockchain technology is the enterprise's risk appetite. This involves understanding the level of risk the organization is willing to accept in relation to the potential environmental impact and regulatory compliance requirements associated with blockchain technology. The organization's risk appetite guides decision-making processes, influencing whether to invest in more sustainable practices or technologies, or to accept the risks associated with non-compliance. While the organizational structure, IT process capability maturity, and the IT strategic plan are relevant, the risk appetite is the key factor in determining the approach to compliance with environmental regulations.

 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

 A maturity assessment is the most appropriate method for evaluating the capability of IT governance because it helps to measure the current state of IT governance processes, identify gaps and areas for improvement, and align IT goals with business objectives. A maturity assessment can also provide a roadmap for achieving higher levels of IT governance maturity and performance. A maturity assessment can use various frameworks and models, such as the Gartner IT Score for CIOs1, the Forrester DEX Maturity Model2, the Capability Maturity Model3, or the Data Governance Maturity Model4. References := CGEIT Review Manual, 7th Edition, Chapter 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT, Section 1.4: GEIT Implementation Approaches, pp. 23-24.

• This is because employee engagement is a key factor for the success of any change initiative, especially one that involves governance. Employee engagement refers to the degree of commitment, involvement, and ownership that employees have toward the organization and its goals1. By designing the implementation plan to engage employees across the enterprise, the organization can:

Designing the implementation plan to engage employees across the enterprise can help to ensure that the new governance initiative is understood, accepted, and adopted by all stakeholders, and that it delivers the desired outcomes and value.

The other options, staff have been trained on the new initiative, external consultants created the plan, and the plan assigns responsibility for completing milestones are not as indicative as the plan is designed to engage employees across the enterprise for the success of the implementation plan for a new governance initiative. They are more related to the execution and management of the implementation plan, rather than its design and alignment. They may also not be sufficient or effective for ensuring the success of the implementation plan, as they may not address the human and behavioral aspects of change, such as awareness, understanding, involvement, commitment, and ownership3. References := Employee Engagement: What Is It? | SHRM, How To Engage Employees In Organizational Change | Forbes, Change Management Best Practices: A Comprehensive Guide | Smartsheet

An effective information governance model is best indicated when senior management ensures that quality goals are defined for information. This top-down approach demonstrates a commitment to managing information as a strategic asset, with clear quality objectives that align with business goals. It ensures accountability and sets the tone for information governance practices across the organization. While the roles of the CIO, enterprise architects, and process owners are important, the involvement of senior management in defining quality goals is a key indicator of an effective governance model.

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

 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

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

 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

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 SLAs are contractual agreements that specify the expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards for both the service provider and the customer. SLAs can help to define controls that mitigate the risks of outsourcing, such as data security, quality, availability, reliability, compliance, and contingency. SLAs can also help to monitor and measure the performance and value of the outsourced services, as well as to establish mechanisms for reporting, escalation, and resolution of any issues or disputes.

Some of the sources that support this answer are:

• 1: This source provides a comprehensive guide on how to create a social media governance plan that covers the key elements of a social media policy, compliance management, security and risk mitigation, decision-making and approval workflow, and crisis management. It mentions that SLAs are one of the tools that can help to manage the risks of outsourcing social media activities to third parties.
• 2: This source discusses the gaps, risks, and opportunities of social media governance in the context of Australian public communication. It suggests that SLAs are one of the best practices for developing and implementing a social media strategy that aligns with the organizational goals and values, as well as the legal and ethical obligations.
• 3: This source explores the benefits and challenges of outsourcing IT services in the public sector. It emphasizes the importance of SLAs for defining the scope, quality, and cost of the outsourced services, as well as for managing the performance and accountability of the service providers.
• 4: This source presents a framework for managing IT outsourcing risks based on ISO 31000. It recommends that SLAs should include risk-related clauses that specify the roles and responsibilities of both parties, the risk identification and assessment methods, the risk response and treatment options, and the risk monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

 A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is a process that’s used to estimate the costs and benefits of projects or investments to determine their profitability for an organization. A CBA is a versatile method that’s often used for business administration, project management and public policy decisions1. A CBA can help the CIO prioritize the improvement initiatives based on their expected value and feasibility, and justify the allocation of resources and funding for them. A CBA can also align the IT goals with the enterprise objectives and demonstrate the IT value delivery to the stakeholders2. References :=

• 2: CGEIT Exam Content Outline | ISACA
• 1: Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Quick Guide with Examples and Templates

 Risk management is a crucial aspect of any cloud-based CRM system, as it involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating the potential risks that could affect the availability, performance, security, and compliance of the system. Before signing a contract for a new cloud-based CRM system, the CIO should ensure that the risk management responsibilities are clearly defined and allocated between the service provider and the customer, and that both parties accept and agree to them. This will help to avoid any confusion, conflict, or liability issues in case of any incidents or breaches that may occur in the future. Some of the risk management responsibilities that should be agreed upon and accepted are:

• The scope and frequency of risk assessments and audits
• The roles and responsibilities for risk monitoring and reporting
• The escalation and resolution procedures for risk issues
• The contingency and recovery plans for risk events
• The security and privacy policies and standards for data protection
• The service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) for service quality and availability

References := Cloud-Based CRM: Best Practices for Implementation, The Best Contract Management Software, CRM Migration Best Practices: An Introductory Guide for HubSpot Agency Partners

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 most efficient approach for using risk scenarios to evaluate a new business opportunity is to identify risk events from both bottom-up and top-down perspectives. This means that the risk identification process should consider both the specific details of the opportunity, such as the market, customer, product, service, technology, and resources involved, as well as the broader context of the opportunity, such as the strategic objectives, vision, mission, values, and culture of the organization. By using both bottom-up and top-down approaches, the risk identification process can capture a comprehensive and balanced view of the potential risks that could affect the success of the opportunity. This will help to create realistic and relevant risk scenarios that can be analyzed and evaluated for decision-making purposes. A bottom-up approach alone may miss some important risks that are related to the organization’s strategy, governance, or environment, while a top-down approach alone may overlook some specific risks that are unique to the opportunity or its implementation. Therefore, a combination of both approaches is the most efficient way to use risk scenarios for evaluating a new business opportunity. References := What is business risk? | McKinsey, How to Write Strong Risk Scenarios and Statements - ISACA, Finding your blind spots: Recognising emerging risks and opportunities