Introduction:
As organizations increasingly rely on technology to drive business growth and operations, ensuring robust IT governance and compliance has become more critical than ever. IT governance ensures that IT investments align with business objectives, while compliance ensures adherence to legal, regulatory, and internal standards. This course provides participants with a thorough understanding of IT governance frameworks, the role of compliance in IT management, and best practices for aligning IT strategies with organizational goals. Participants will also explore how to implement and monitor IT controls, assess risks, and maintain compliance with various regulations.

Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles of IT governance and compliance.
• Learn about key IT governance frameworks such as COBIT, ITIL, and ISO 27001.
• Explore the relationship between governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC).
• Gain knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards for IT compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS).
• Implement IT governance structures and policies that align with business objectives.
• Develop and monitor IT controls, audits, and compliance programs.

Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for professionals involved in IT governance, risk management, compliance, and security. It is ideal for:

• IT managers, directors, and executives.
• Compliance officers and legal teams.
• Internal and external auditors.
• Risk management professionals.
• Consultants and advisors working in IT governance and compliance.
• Anyone interested in understanding the intersection of IT governance, compliance, and risk.

Day 1: Introduction to IT Governance

Morning Session:

• What is IT Governance?
  • Defining IT governance and its importance in organizations.
  • Key objectives of IT governance: Alignment with business goals, value delivery, risk management, and performance measurement.
  • The role of IT governance in enhancing transparency, accountability, and decision-making.
• The IT Governance Framework
  • Overview of governance frameworks: COBIT, ITIL, ISO/IEC 27001, and NIST.
  • Core principles of IT governance: Responsibility, strategy, performance, and risk management.
  • How to choose the right governance framework based on organizational needs.

Afternoon Session:

• IT Governance Models and Structures

  • IT governance structures: Steering committees, governance boards, and roles and responsibilities.
  • The role of the CIO, IT managers, and other stakeholders in IT governance.
  • Aligning IT governance with corporate governance and business objectives.

• Hands-On Lab: Implementing IT Governance

  • Participants will evaluate their current IT governance structures and recommend improvements.
  • Mapping IT governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT) to an organization’s goals and objectives.

Day 2: IT Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks

Morning Session:

• Introduction to IT Compliance

  • Defining compliance in IT: Adhering to laws, regulations, and internal policies.
  • Why IT compliance matters: Risk mitigation, data protection, and avoiding penalties.
  • Key compliance areas: Data privacy, cybersecurity, financial reporting, and intellectual property.

• Regulatory Requirements and Standards

  • Overview of global and industry-specific regulations: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, CCPA.
  • The impact of these regulations on IT operations and data management.
  • Best practices for ensuring compliance in different sectors (healthcare, finance, e-commerce, etc.).

Afternoon Session:

• Building an IT Compliance Program
  • Steps to implement a compliance program: Policy development, training, audits, and monitoring.
  • Identifying compliance risks and implementing controls.
  • Documentation and reporting requirements for compliance.
• Hands-On Lab: Conducting a Compliance Audit
  • Participants will simulate a compliance audit for an organization, focusing on regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR or PCI DSS).
  • Analyzing existing IT policies and recommending improvements for compliance.

Day 3: Risk Management and IT Controls

Morning Session:

• Risk Management in IT Governance
  • The role of risk management in IT governance: Identifying, assessing, and managing risks.
  • Risk management frameworks: NIST, ISO 31000, and COSO.
  • Risk management lifecycle: Risk identification, analysis, mitigation, and monitoring.
• Implementing IT Controls
  • Understanding IT controls: Preventive, detective, and corrective controls.
  • Developing and implementing IT controls for systems, processes, and data security.
  • How to evaluate the effectiveness of IT controls through regular audits.

Afternoon Session:

• Security Controls and Cybersecurity Compliance

  • Key cybersecurity frameworks and regulations: ISO 27001, NIST, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
  • Implementing security controls for data protection: Access control, encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.
  • Protecting organizational assets: Securing IT infrastructure and sensitive data.

• Hands-On Lab: Assessing IT Risk and Controls

  • Participants will conduct a risk assessment for a sample IT project or system and identify key vulnerabilities.
  • Design an IT control framework for risk mitigation and compliance.

Day 4: Auditing, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

Morning Session:

• IT Auditing and Compliance Monitoring

  • The role of audits in IT governance and compliance: Internal and external audits.
  • Auditing IT systems, processes, and security controls.
  • Continuous monitoring of compliance and controls to identify non-compliance issues and weaknesses.

• Audit Techniques and Tools

  • Tools and methods for auditing IT systems: Automated auditing tools, manual reviews, and data analysis.
  • Key audit steps: Planning, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up.
  • Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing as part of the audit process.

Afternoon Session:

• Continuous Improvement in IT Governance and Compliance
  • How to foster a culture of continuous improvement in IT governance and compliance.
  • Monitoring changes in regulations and adapting to new requirements.
  • Incorporating feedback from audits, risk assessments, and performance reviews into governance processes.
• Hands-On Lab: Conducting an IT Audit
  • Participants will simulate a full IT audit for an organization, including planning, risk identification, control evaluation, and reporting.
  • Developing a continuous improvement plan based on audit findings.

Day 5: Implementing IT Governance and Compliance Strategies

Morning Session:

• Building an IT Governance and Compliance Strategy

  • Key steps in creating a comprehensive IT governance and compliance strategy: Risk assessment, framework selection, policy development, and implementation.
  • Aligning IT governance with business objectives and corporate strategy.
  • The role of IT leadership in promoting governance and compliance across the organization.

• Leveraging Technology for Governance and Compliance

  • Using IT solutions to support governance and compliance efforts: GRC platforms, compliance management tools, and audit software.
  • Automating compliance processes and ensuring real-time monitoring.

Afternoon Session:

• Case Study: Implementing IT Governance and Compliance

  • A detailed case study on a large organization’s journey to implement effective IT governance and compliance strategies.
  • Group discussion on challenges faced and how they were addressed.

• Final Q&A, Course Review, and Certification Exam

  • Review of the key concepts and practices discussed throughout the course.
  • Final exam to test participants’ understanding of IT governance and compliance.
  • Certification awarded to participants who successfully complete the course and exam.