Over the years, best-practice frameworks have been developed and promoted to assist in the process of understanding, designing and implementing enterprise governance of information and technology (EGIT). COBIT 2019 builds on and integrates more than 25 years of development in this field, not only incorporating new insights from science, but also operationalizing these insights as practices.
From its foundation in the IT audit community, COBIT has developed into a broader and more comprehensive information and technology (I&T) governance and management framework and continues to establish itself as a generally accepted framework for I&T governance.
1.1 WHAT IS COBIT?
COBIT is a framework for the governance and management of enterprise information and technology, aimed at the whole enterprise. COBIT defines the components and design factors to build and sustain a best-fit governance system.
The globally recognized COBIT 2019 Framework helps ensure effective EGIT, facilitating easier, tailored implementation—strengthening COBIT’s continuing role as an important driver of innovation and business transformation.
1.2 WHAT TITLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE COBIT 2019 PRODUCT FAMILY?
- COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology – an introduction to the key concepts of COBIT 2019.
- COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives – comprehensively describes the 40 core governance and management objectives, the processes contained therein, and other related components. This guide also references other standards and frameworks
- COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution – this guide explores design factors that can influence governance and includes a workflow for planning a tailored governance system for the enterprise.
- COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide: Implementing and Optimizing an Information and Technology Governance Solution – this title represents an evolution of the COBIT 5 Implementation guide and develops a road map for continuous governance improvement. It may be used in combination with the COBIT 2019 Design Guide.
The COBIT 2019 product family is open-ended. Development of new guidance, training and resources to support the COBIT 2019 product family will be continuously assessed based on market demand and managed through ISACA’s product roadmap.
1.3 WILL THE NEW COBIT GUIDANCE BE FREE TO MEMBERS?
As part of ISACA’s commitment to provide optimal value for its members, the PDF download of the following four (4) core COBIT 2019 publications will be free to members.
- COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology
- COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives
- COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution
- COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide: Implementing and Optimizing an Information and Technology Governance Solution
1.4 DOES COBIT 2019 ALIGN WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND FRAMEWORKS?
One of the guiding principles applied throughout the development of COBIT 2019 was to maintain the positioning of COBIT as an umbrella framework. Thus, COBIT continues to align with a number of relevant standards, frameworks and/or regulations. The COBIT 2019 includes references and aligns to concepts originating in other sources (e.g., other IT standards and frameworks).
In this context, alignment means:
- COBIT 2019 does not contradict any guidance in the related standards
- COBIT 2019 does not copy the contents of these related standards
- COBIT 2019 provides equivalent statements or references to related guidance
A full list of referenced standards and guidance used during the development of the COBIT 2019 can be found in the COBIT 2019 Overview power point (part of the COBIT 2019 toolkit) and also available in COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology.
1.5 WILL THERE BE TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR COBIT 2019?
Training to support the release of the updated guidance will be available in 2019.
January 2019
COBIT Bridge workshop:
This 1-day bridge course highlights the concepts, models and key definitions of the new framework with a primary focus on the major differences between COBIT 2019 and COBIT 5.
COBIT 2019 Foundation training:
Developed to prepare attendees for the COBIT 2019 Foundation certificate exam. This training course will dive into the context, components, benefits and key reasons COBIT is used as an information and technology governance framework.
April 2019
COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation training
Developed to prepare attendees for the COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation certificate exam. Attendees will learn how to design a tailor a best fit governance system using COBIT.
The COBIT 2019 product family and training is open ended. ISACA will continue to evaluate the development of future training modules based on feedback and market need.
1.6 WILL COBIT 5 GUIDANCE STILL BE AVAILABLE?
ISACA will continue to support the many governments and non-government organizations that have implemented COBIT 5 since its inception in 2012. All COBIT 5 guidance (and derivative products) will be continue to be available for electronic download or purchase. Additionally, all COBIT 5 products, resources and related training programs will remain available (along-side COBIT 2019).
1.7 WILL THE COBIT 2019 TRAINING SCHEMES REPLACE THE COBIT 5 TRAINING SCHEMES?
ISACA will continue to support the accreditation and delivery of the COBIT 5 training and certificate schemes. COBIT 5 training will continue to live alongside COBIT 2019 training, delivered through our network of accredited training partners or ISACA’s on-site team.
1.8 WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COBIT 2019 AND COBIT 5?
COBIT 2019 offers greater flexibility and openness to enhances the currency and relevance of COBIT.
- The introduction of new concepts such as focus areas and design factors allow for additional guidance for tailoring a governance system to the enterprise’s needs
- Updated alignment to global standards, frameworks and best practices enhances the relevancy of COBIT
- An “open-source” model will allow the global governance community the ability to inform future updates by providing feedback, sharing applications and proposing enhancements to the framework and derivative products in real-time, with further COBIT evolutions released on a rolling basis.
- New guidance and tools support the development of a best-fit governance system, making COBIT 2019 more prescriptive.