COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) is a framework, created by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) for IT governance and management. COBIT provides a full range of universal tools that help in designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization’s IT management controls. It is a practical guide that helps organizations achieve a balance between their strategic objectives and existing IT frameworks. Overall, COBIT ensures the quality, control, and reliability of data systems in a corporation which is the most significant aspect Of all modern business.
COBIT provides a means of obtaining and maintaining consistent control over the IT function throughout an organization. It helps ensure the management of IT-related risks and allows you to move toward increasingly efficient practices. An ongoing program continuously monitored and enforced, COBIT, has two frameworks introduced till date. This article will guide you towards the major differences between the two, and also the advancements in the newer framework.
What is the COBIT Framework?
The COBIT business orientation includes linking business goals with the IT infrastructure by providing various maturity models and metrics that measure the achievement while identifying associated business responsibilities of IT processes. It is the operational model for IT governance, risk, and control. It provides a comprehensive view of IT from the boardroom down to the desktop. Further, it formulates and implements standardized, repeatable processes to manage IT across the enterprise. It ensures that IT supports both business innovation and operational needs.
Components of COBIT
- Process description: It is a language and reference model used for every individual working in an organization.
- Control objectives: This provides a whole list of requirements considered by the management for effective IT business control.
- Management guidelines: Helps in better-assigning responsibilities, measuring performances, agreeing on common objectives, and illustrating better interrelationships with every other process.
- Maturity model: Accesses the maturity and also the capability of each process while addressing the gaps.
- Framework: Organize IT governance objectives and good practices by IT domains and processes and links them to business requirements.
Organizations, where the primary responsibilities include business processes and related technologies, make use of COBIT. Every other organisation in this sector depends on technology for reliable and relevant information. Moreover, both government and private sector organizations use the COBIT framework. Furthermore, it helps in increasing the sensibility of IT processes.
What is COBIT 5?
COBIT 5 (published in 2012) is a globally recognized and comprehensive business-focused framework that helps organizations make the best use of their information and technology by providing a governance and management framework for enterprise IT.
It does this by helping organizations create optimal value from their IT by maintaining a balance between realizing benefits, and optimizing risk and resource usage. The COBIT 5 framework consists of a process reference model, a series of governance and management practices, and a collection of enabler tools to support the governance of an organization. COBIT 5.0 addressed all the criticisms in an exceedingly sustainable manner. It now encourages all organizations to control and manage information In a most holistic and integrated manner.
The COBIT 5 Foundation exam covers the following topics –
- Features of COBIT 5
- Analyzing the Five Principles
- Investigating the Seven Enablers
- The Foundations of COBIT 5 Implementation
- Integrating the COBIT 5 Process Capability Model
Preparatory Resources – COBIT 5 Foundation
To successfully pass the COBIT 5 Foundation exam, the candidate needs to choose a suitable set of resources. Given below are some of these resources –
In addition to the above-mentioned resources, we provide Online Tutorials and Free Practice Tests to help you during your preparation. The tutorials have a well-elaborated set of learning resources that you can opt for while studying for the exam.
The COBIT 5 Framework is highly appreciated for its ability to reduce the risk of IT implementations. IT initiatives typically require quick, agile adaptations that simultaneously need regular buy-ins from stakeholders and other users. The COBIT 5 framework has been able to bring about a collaborative culture within the organization and this better met the needs, risks, and benefits of all IT initiatives.
What is COBIT 19?
COBIT is a framework for the governance and management of enterprise information and technology, aimed toward the entire enterprise. Enterprise I&T means all the technology and information processing the enterprise puts in place to achieve its goals, regardless of where this happens in the enterprise. In other words, enterprise I&T is not limited to the IT department of an organization but certainly includes it.
The COBIT 2019 Foundation exam covers the following topics –
- Framework Introduction (12%)
- Principles (13%)
- Governance system and components (30%)
- Governance and management objectives (23%)
- Performance Management (4%)
- Designing a Tailored Governance System
- Business Case (3%)
- Implementation (8%)
Preparatory Resources – COBIT 2019 Foundation
To successfully pass the COBIT 2019 Foundation exam, candidates must choose a suitable set of resources. Given below are some of these resources –
- ISACA training
- Books – COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction And Methodology, and COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance And Management Objectives
- Practice Tests for COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam
Consider the Online Tutorials and Free Practice Tests to help you during your preparation for COBIT 2019 Foundation exam. These tutorials have a well-elaborated set of learning resources that you can opt for while studying for the exam.
COBIT 2019 not only updates and adds new information but also offers more practical guidance for tailoring and implementing a right-sized governance program suited to the unique needs of your enterprise. COBIT 2019 builds on and integrates quite 25 years of development during this field, not only incorporating new insights from science but also operationalizing these insights as practice.
Difference between COBIT 5 and COBIT 19
There are 6 governance system principles in COBIT 2019, as compared to five in COBIT 5. This is to make sure that stakeholder needs are evaluated and agreed on supported enterprise objectives, to line direction through prioritization and decision-making, and to watch performance and compliance against the set direction and objectives. Along with including an additional governance principle, COBIT 2019 revises some of the terminologies used in defining the principles. The number of processes has been increased, from 37 in COBIT 5 to 40 in COBIT 2019. The terminology is also changed slightly, from the use of the verb “manage” in COBIT 5 to the adjective “managed” in COBIT 2019.
| COBIT 5 | COBIT 2019 |
| 1. Five governance principles | 1. Six governance principles |
| 2. 37 processes | 2. 40 processes |
| 3. ‘Manage’ terminology is used for the management process. ‘Ensure’ terminology is used for the governance process. | 3. ‘Managed’ terminology is used for the management process. ‘Ensured’ terminology is used for the governance process. |
| 4. Government framework principles are absent | 4. Government framework principles are added |
| 5. Measuring performance 0-5 scale based on ISO/IEC 33000 | 5. CMMI performance management scheme used |
| 6. Enablers are included | 6. Enablers are renamed as components |
| 7. Design factors are not available | 7. Design factors are included |
The latest iteration of COBIT includes a further guide: COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution. It goes over the design factors which influence the design of an enterprise’s governance system while ensuring its success in the use of IT. The design factors in COBIT are broadly categorized as:
- Contextual (i.e. outside the control of the enterprise)
- Strategic (reflect the decisions the enterprise makes)
- Tactical (based on implementation choices regarding resourcing models, IT methods, and technology adoption choices).
Other prominent advantages of choosing COBIT 2019 over COBIT 5.0 are:
- Enhanced alignment with global standards, frameworks, and best practices
- Regular updates and advancements because of continual changes to focus area concepts
- Continual improvement, especially through regular feedback from stakeholders
- Flexible approach thereto governance as organizations can tailor COBIT consistent with their needs
- Better alignment of IT with organization goals to realize objectives
COBIT 2019 has 6 governing principles instead of 5. The number of processes supporting the governance and management objectives increased from 37 to 40, with some changes in terminology. COBIT® provides organizations with a consistent and holistic approach to IT governance. The Framework clearly aligns IT with business needs and establishes the culture necessary to support the strategic direction of an enterprise through its lifecycle.
Final Words
With the release of the new COBIT Framework, organizations will be able to achieve dynamic and effective governance of IT by uncovering their current situation at different levels, developing a roadmap based on their unique needs, and then implementing governance activities throughout all phases of the enterprise IT life cycle. In addition to that, COBIT is now system agnostic and has added the ability to support other domains like water, hospitality, agriculture, etc.
COBIT 2019’s release was necessary because the COBIT 5 was introduced more than seven years ago in 2012. Since then, the trends, technologies, and security needs for organizations have dramatically changed. Organizations that fail to adapt with time become obsolete easily. This is especially true when it comes to the evolution of IT as it plays a vital role in almost all the processes across a business.
