What does IT governance encompass in the context of internal auditing?

In the context of internal auditing, IT governance encompasses the policies and processes that ensure the effective and efficient use of IT. This includes establishing frameworks and structures that guide how IT is managed and aligned with the overall business objectives of the organization.

Effective IT governance ensures that IT investments deliver value, mitigate risks, and support the achievement of strategic goals. It involves setting up processes for decision-making, accountability, and resource management, thereby ensuring that IT systems and operations are adequately controlled and managed.

This view goes beyond merely utilizing technology tools for auditing. While those tools are important, they represent only a part of the broader IT governance framework. Similarly, evaluating software performance and managing IT vendor relationships play important roles within the IT landscape but do not encapsulate the entirety of IT governance as they are more about operational aspects rather than the strategic alignment and governance structures that guide IT’s role in the organization.