Examination
These statements and domains were the result of extensive research and feedback from IT governance subject matter experts from around the world. Numerous reference sources were also utilized including COBIT 5.
These statements are intended to depict the tasks performed by individuals who have a significant management, advisory, or assurance role relating to the governance of IT and the knowledge required to perform these tasks. They are also intended to serve as a definition of the roles and responsibilities of the professionals performing IT governance work.
For purposes of these statements, the terms “enterprise” and “organization” or “organizational” are considered synonymous.
The job practice domains and task and knowledge statements are as follows:
Domain 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT (25%)
Hide Domain 1
Domain 1—Task Statements:
| 1.1 |
Ensure that a framework for the governance of enterprise IT is established and enables the achievement of enterprise goals and objectives to create stakeholder value, taking into account benefits realization, risk optimization, and resource optimization. |
| 1.2 |
Identify the requirements and objectives for the framework for the governance of enterprise IT incorporating input from enablers such as principles, policies and frameworks; processes; organizational structures; culture, ethics and behavior; information; services, infrastructure and applications; people, skills and competencies. |
| 1.3 |
Ensure that the framework for the governance of enterprise IT addresses applicable internal and external requirements (for example, principles, policies and standards, laws, regulations, service capabilities and contracts). |
| 1.4 |
Ensure that strategic planning processes are incorporated into the framework for the governance of enterprise IT. |
| 1.5 |
Ensure the incorporation of enterprise architecture (EA) into the framework for the governance of enterprise IT in order to optimize IT-enabled business solutions. |
| 1.6 |
Ensure that the framework for the governance of enterprise IT incorporates comprehensive and repeatable processes and activities. |
| 1.7 |
Ensure that the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for information systems and IT processes are established. |
| 1.8 |
Ensure issues related to the framework for the governance of enterprise IT are reviewed, monitored, reported and remediated. |
| 1.9 |
Ensure that organizational structures are in place to enable effective planning and implementation of IT-enabled business investments. |
| 1.10 |
Ensure the establishment of a communication channel to reinforce the value of the governance of enterprise IT and transparency of IT costs, benefits and risk throughout the enterprise. |
| 1.11 |
Ensure that the framework for the governance of enterprise IT is periodically assessed, including the identification of improvement opportunities. |
Domain 1—Knowledge Statements:
| 1.1 |
Knowledge of components of a framework for the governance of enterprise IT |
| 1.2 |
Knowledge of IT governance industry practices, standards and frameworks (for example, COBIT, Information Technology Infrastructure Library [ITIL], International Organization for Standardization [ISO] 20000, ISO 38500) |
| 1.3 |
Knowledge of business drivers related to IT governance (for example, legal, regulatory and contractual requirements) |
| 1.4 |
Knowledge of IT governance enablers (for example, principles, policies and frameworks; processes; organizational structures; culture, ethics and behavior; information; services, infrastructure and applications; people, skills and competencies) |
| 1.5 |
Knowledge of techniques used to identify IT strategy (for example, SWOT, BCG Matrix) |
| 1.6 |
Knowledge of components, principles, and concepts related to enterprise architecture (EA) |
| 1.7 |
Knowledge of Organizational structures and their roles and responsibilities (for example, enterprise investment committee, program management office, IT strategy committee, IT architecture review board, IT risk management committee) |
| 1.8 |
Knowledge of methods to manage organizational, process and cultural change |
| 1.9 |
Knowledge of models and methods to establish accountability for information requirements, data and system ownership; and IT processes |
| 1.10 |
Knowledge of IT governance monitoring processes/mechanisms (for example, balanced scorecard (BSC) |
| 1.11 |
Knowledge of IT governance reporting processes/mechanisms |
| 1.12 |
Knowledge of communication and promotion techniques |
| 1.13 |
Knowledge of assurance methodologies and techniques |
| 1.14 |
Knowledge of continuous improvement techniques and processes |
Domain 2: Strategic Management (20%)
Hide Domain 2
Domain 2: Strategic Management (20%)
Ensure that IT enables and supports the achievement of enterprise objectives through the integration and alignment of IT strategic plans with enterprise strategic plans.
Domain 2—Task Statements:
| 2.1 |
Evaluate, direct and monitor IT strategic planning processes to ensure alignment with enterprise goals. |
| 2.2 |
Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to support IT and enterprise strategic alignment. |
| 2.3 |
Ensure that the IT strategic planning processes and related outputs are adequately documented and communicated. |
| 2.4 |
Ensure that enterprise architecture (EA) is integrated into the IT strategic planning process. |
| 2.5 |
Ensure prioritization of IT initiatives to achieve enterprise objectives. |
| 2.6 |
Ensure that IT objectives cascade into clear roles, responsibilities and actions of IT personnel. |
Domain 2—Knowledge Statements:
| 2.1 |
Knowledge of an enterprise’s strategic plan and how it relates to IT |
| 2.2 |
Knowledge of strategic planning processes and techniques |
| 2.3 |
Knowledge of impact of changes in business strategy on IT strategy |
| 2.4 |
Knowledge of barriers to the achievement of strategic alignment |
| 2.5 |
Knowledge of policies and procedures necessary to support IT and business strategic alignment |
| 2.6 |
Knowledge of methods to document and communicate IT strategic planning processes (for example, IT dashboard/balanced scorecard, key indicators) |
| 2.7 |
Knowledge of components, principles and frameworks of enterprise architecture (EA) |
| 2.8 |
Knowledge of current and future technologies |
| 2.9 |
Knowledge of prioritization processes related to IT initiatives |
| 2.10 |
Knowledge of scope, objectives and benefits of IT investment programs |
| 2.11 |
Knowledge of IT roles and responsibilities and methods to cascade business and IT objectives to IT personnel |
Domain 3: Benefits Realization (16%)
Hide Domain 3
Domain 3: Benefits Realization (16%)
Ensure that IT-enabled investments are managed to deliver optimized business benefits and that benefit realization outcome and performance measures are established, evaluated and progress is reported to key stakeholders.
Domain 3—Task Statements:
| 3.1 |
Ensure that IT-enabled investments are managed as a portfolio of investments. |
| 3.2 |
Ensure that IT-enabled investments are managed through their economic life cycle to achieve business benefit. |
| 3.3 |
Ensure business ownership and accountability for IT-enabled investments are established. |
| 3.4 |
Ensure that IT investment management practices align with enterprise investment management practices. |
| 3.5 |
Ensure that IT-enabled investment portfolios, IT processes and IT services are evaluated and benchmarked to achieve business benefit. |
| 3.6 |
Ensure that outcome and performance measures are established and evaluated to assess progress towards the achievement of enterprise and IT objectives. |
| 3.7 |
Ensure that outcome and performance measures are monitored and reported to key stakeholders in a timely manner. |
| 3.8 |
Ensure that improvement initiatives are identified, prioritized, initiated and managed based on outcome and performance measures. |
Domain 3—Knowledge Statements:
| 3.1 |
Knowledge of IT investment management processes, including the economic life cycle of investments |
| 3.2 |
Knowledge of basic principles of portfolio management |
| 3.3 |
Knowledge of benefit calculation techniques (for example, earned value, total cost of ownership, return on investment) |
| 3.4 |
Knowledge of process and service measurement techniques (for example, maturity models, benchmarking, key performance indicators [KPIs]) |
| 3.5 |
Knowledge of processes and practices for planning, development, transition, delivery, and support of IT solutions and services |
| 3.6 |
Knowledge of continuous improvement concepts and principles |
| 3.7 |
Knowledge of outcome and performance measurement techniques (for example, service metrics, key performance indicators [KPIs]) |
| 3.8 |
Knowledge of procedures to manage and report the status of IT investments |
| 3.9 |
Knowledge of cost optimization strategies (for example, outsourcing, adoption of new technologies) |
| 3.10 |
Knowledge of models and methods to establish accountability over IT investments |
| 3.11 |
Knowledge of value delivery frameworks (for example, Val IT) |
| 3.12 |
Knowledge of business case development and evaluation techniques |
Domain 4: Risk Optimization (24%)
Hide Domain 4
Domain 4: Risk Optimization (24%)
Ensure that an IT risk management framework exists to identify, analyze, mitigate, manage, monitor, and communicate IT-related business risk, and that the framework for IT risk management is in alignment with the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
Domain 4—Task Statements:
| 4.1 |
Ensure that comprehensive IT risk management processes are established to identify, analyze, mitigate, manage, monitor, and communicate IT risk. |
| 4.2 |
Ensure that legal and regulatory compliance requirements are addressed through IT risk management. |
| 4.3 |
Ensure that IT risk management is aligned with the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework. |
| 4.4 |
Ensure appropriate senior level management sponsorship for IT risk management. |
| 4.5 |
Ensure that IT risk management policies, procedures and standards are developed and communicated. |
| 4.6 |
Ensure the identification of key risk indicators (KRIs). |
| 4.7 |
Ensure timely reporting and proper escalation of risk events and responses to appropriate levels of management. |
Domain 4—Knowledge Statements:
| 4.1 |
Knowledge of the application of risk management at the strategic, portfolio, program, project and operations levels |
| 4.2 |
Knowledge of risk management frameworks and standards (for example, RISK IT, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission Enterprise Risk Management—Integrated Framework (2004) [COSO ERM], International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 31000) |
| 4.3 |
Knowledge of the relationship of the risk management approach to legal and regulatory compliance |
| 4.4 |
Knowledge of methods to align IT and enterprise risk management (ERM) |
| 4.5 |
Knowledge of the relationship of the risk management approach to business resiliency (for example, business continuity planning [BCP] and disaster recovery planning [DRP]) |
| 4.6 |
Knowledge of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and opportunities inherent in the use of IT |
| 4.7 |
Knowledge of types of business risk, exposures and threats (for example, external environment, internal fraud, information security) that can be addressed using IT resources |
| 4.8 |
Knowledge of risk appetite and risk tolerance |
| 4.9 |
Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative risk assessment methods |
| 4.10 |
Knowledge of risk mitigation strategies related to IT in the enterprise |
| 4.11 |
Knowledge of methods to monitor effectiveness of mitigation strategies and/or controls |
| 4.12 |
Knowledge of stakeholder analysis and communication techniques |
| 4.13 |
Knowledge of methods to establish key risk indicators (KRIs) |
| 4.14 |
Knowledge of methods to manage and report the status of identified risk |
Domain 5: Resource Optimization (15%)
Hide Domain 5
Domain 5: Resource Optimization (15%)
Ensure the optimization of IT resources including information, services, infrastructure and applications, and people, to support the achievement of enterprise objectives.
Domain 5—Task Statements:
| 5.1 |
Ensure that processes are in place to identify, acquire and maintain IT resources and capabilities (i.e., information, services, infrastructure and applications, and people). |
| 5.2 |
Evaluate, direct and monitor sourcing strategies to ensure existing resources are taken into account to optimize IT resource utilization. |
| 5.3 |
Ensure the integration of IT resource management into the enterprise’s strategic and tactical planning. |
| 5.4 |
Ensure the alignment of IT resource management processes with the enterprise’s resource management processes. |
| 5.5 |
Ensure that a resource gap analysis process is in place so that IT is able to meet strategic objectives of the enterprise. |
| 5.6 |
Ensure that policies exist to guide IT resource sourcing strategies that include service level agreements (SLAs) and changes to sourcing strategies. |
| 5.7 |
Ensure that policies and processes are in place for the assessment, training and development of staff to address enterprise requirements and personal/professional growth. |
Domain 5—Knowledge Statements:
| 5.1 |
Knowledge of IT resource planning methods |
| 5.2 |
Knowledge of human resource procurement, assessment, training, and development methodologies |
| 5.3 |
Knowledge of processes for acquiring application, information, and infrastructure resources |
| 5.4 |
Knowledge of outsourcing and offshoring approaches that may be employed to meet the investment program and operation level agreements (OLAs) and service level agreements (SLAs) |
| 5.5 |
Knowledge of methods used to record and monitor IT resource utilization and availability |
| 5.6 |
Knowledge of methods used to evaluate and report on IT resource performance |
| 5.7 |
Knowledge of interoperability, standardization and economies of scale |
| 5.8 |
Knowledge of data management and data governance concepts |
| 5.9 |
Knowledge of service level management concepts |
Successfully Pass the CGEIT Exam
Five (5) or more years of experience managing, serving in an advisory or oversight role, and/or otherwise supporting the governance of the IT-related contribution to an enterprise is required to apply for certification. This experience is defined specifically by the domains and task statements described in the CGEIT Job Practice.
Specifically:
A minimum of one year of experience relating to the definition, establishment and management of a Framework for the Governance of IT is required. The type and extent of experience accepted is described in CGEIT domain 1.
Additional broad experience directly related to any two or more of the remaining CGEIT domains is required. The type and extent of experience accepted is described in CGEIT domains 2 through 5. These domains are:
- Strategic Management
- Benefits Realization
- Risk Optimization
- Resource Optimization
Individuals can take the CGEIT exam prior to earning the above work experience. There are no waivers or substitutions for CGEIT experience.
Exception: Two years as a full-time university instructor teaching IT governance related subjects at an accredited university can be substituted for every one year of IT governance experience.
It is important to note that individuals may choose to take the CGEIT exam prior to meeting the experience requirements. This practice is acceptable and encouraged, although the CGEIT designation will not be awarded until all requirements are met.
Work Experience
Submit verified evidence of a minimum of five years of information security work experience, with a minimum of three years of information security management work experience in three or more of the job practice analysis areas. The work experience must be gained within the 10-year period preceding the application date for certification or within 5 years from the date of originally passing the exam.
Experience Substitutions
The following security-related certifications and information systems management experience can be used to satisfy the indicated amount of information security work experience.
Two Years:
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) in good standing
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) in good standing
- Post-graduate degree in information security or a related field (e.g., business administration, information systems, information assurance)
One Year:
- One full year of information systems management experience
- One full year of general security management experience
- Skill-based security certifications (e.g., SANS Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), CompTIA Security +, Disaster Recovery Institute Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), ESL IT Security Manager)
- Completion of an information security management program at an institution aligned with the Model Curriculum
The experience substitutions will not satisfy any portion of the 3-year information security management work experience requirement.
Exception: Two years as a full-time university instructor teaching the management of information security can be substituted for every 1 year of information security experience.
