COBIT Over the Years

In 1996, ISACA had a big dream: to launch a new framework, then called COBiT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology). Its goal was to help organizations of all sizes, and in all industries, govern and manage their information and technology.

“CobiT is going to totally change how IS professionals work,” the association proclaimed on its website in 1996. “Years of exhaustive worldwide research has culminated in a revolutionary model that is changing the way IT control professionals approach their job by clearly linking information technology and control practices. CobiT consolidates and harmonizes standards from 18 dissimilar, prominent global sources into a critical resource for Management, Users, and IS Auditors.”

ISACA wasn’t exaggerating – then or now. After two decades, COBIT’s value is clear as a comprehensive business framework for the governance of enterprise IT. Users endorse the current version, COBIT 2019, for helping enterprises manage their risks and more clearly demonstrate the delivery of value to stakeholders. Its value and global reach are evidenced by recognition from the public sector, governmental agencies and regulatory bodies in every continent but Antarctica.

Initially, COBIT was designed solely for IT auditors – but even at the time, the association planned to enhance the framework in phases. In 1998, COBIT 2 provided additional guidance on IT controls. COBIT 3 was released as a management framework in 2000. COBIT 4 in 2005 was a full-fledged IT governance framework. COBIT 5 launched in 2012 as a comprehensive framework of globally accepted practices, analytical tools and models, and included enhancements to facilitate the alignment of overall enterprise strategy with IT strategy. Most recently, ISACA introduced COBIT 2019 in late 2018, using a maturity model based on the CMMI Capability Maturity Model Integration and including updates aligned with the latest industry standards, as well as a design guide that helps organizations tailor a governance system to their needs.

The original COBIT was delivered to users on diskette. Today’s COBIT community can simply download the COBIT 2019 Framework Introduction and Methodology, Governance and Management Objectives, Design Guide and Implementation Guide. Professionals enjoy comparatively vast opportunities to both learn and leverage COBIT 2019 through training, full day COBIT-related workshops facilitated by industry experts at ISACA conferences, newsletters, an Engage online community and other online resources.

Although COBIT has grown over time, the ISACA website of 1996 may have said it best: “The CobiT Project … will have a lasting impact on the way the business world views and implements information system controls.”