It Compliance And Controls: Best Practices for Implementation

Chapter 4. Death of Siloed IT Strategy

IT CONTROLS PERMEATE BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Technology exists throughout businesses, and the IT controls utilized to maintain these operations are vital to the success of the organization. Controls are used in these ways, among others:

• Sales systems track validity of orders.

• Accounting ledgers validate that all input is authorized and approved.

• Security systems repel corporate spies, criminal organizations, and hackers from damaging the business.

• Continuous availability is maintained for online customer sales.

• Business process outsourcing companies operate in virtualized networks and segments securely contributing to projects.

• Student records at universities are properly coded and stored for backup purposes.

The evolution of environments where technology is introduced to gain efficiency and consistency in operations begins as a grassroots project where users develop automated solutions for daily tasks. The expansion of such efforts into the enterprise occurs for even the most sophisticated and global enterprises. Knowledge workers of today embrace technology to enhance company operations and improve on their own ability to deliver better results.^[50] The growing trend of online tools and services, such as online software systems, Web 2.0, social and viral technologies, collaboration, networking, mindshare sites like Google's popular online office suite, and the recruiting site Jobster, increases the likelihood for rapid introduction and adoption of tools ...