Integrating your knowledge
Opening Executive Master in IT Governance & Assurance
The executive master opens with a two-day offsite residential session. Objective of the opening sessions is to introduce the conceptual structure and objectives of the whole programme, including expectations, milestones etc. During the opening, key faculty will be introduced and separate attention will go to group dynamics.
Assignment, Project Work and Master Thesis
This executive master program bridges the gap between research based knowledge and applicability in the field. Each module contains assignments and project work, aiming to translate the concepts and theories in the own organisational environment. Also, guided by one of the faculty, each participant has to deliver a master thesis, in which he/she demonstrates an integrated understanding of and ability to apply the concepts of IT governance & assurance. Wherever possible, a team approach is used enabling multi-disciplinary experiences. And last, but not least, whatever topic is under consideration in the classroom at the moment, the practical business experience of the participants should contribute to the discussion.
Stretching your knowledge
Business & IT Strategy, Alignment and Value Creation
In many organisations, information technology (IT) has become crucial in the support, sustainability, and growth of the business, which calls for a specific focus on enterprise governance of IT (EGIT). This module addresses how organisation can implement enterprise governance of IT (leveraging processes, structures and relational mechanisms) in support of business/IT alignment and the creation of business value out of IT enabled investments. This module also references best practice frameworks such as COBIT, Val IT and Risk IT and includes a business game on enterprise governance of IT.
Business & IT Strategy Leadership and Change Management
While in the past, business executives could delegate, ignore or avoid IT decisions, this is now impossible in most sectors and industries. Business leadership is needed to avoid that IT becomes a liability instead of a strategic asset. But also CIOs need to demonstrate leadership as an ability to articulate a vision for IT’s role to the company and ensure that this vision is clearly understood by managers throughout the organisation. This module explains and illustrates the concepts of business and IT leadership and addresses the importance of business change management, as in the end, each IT enabled investment implies a change within the organisation that needs to be managed.
IT risk and security management
The use of IT can imply a huge business risk. This module describes how effective risk management begins with a clear understanding of the enterprise’s appetite for risk and the high-level risk exposures of the enterprise. This focuses all risk management effort and, in an IT context, impacts future investments in technology, the extent to
which IT assets are protected and the level of assurance required. Having defined risk appetite and identified risk exposure, strategies for managing risk can be set and responsibilities clarified.
Deepening your knowledge
Governance, control and Assurance
This module provides an overview of the basic principles for governance, control and assurance. Topics addressed include the COSO/ERM model, administrative processes and internal control, basics of the assurance process (planning & scoping, fieldwork & testing, reporting and documenting impact, etc.), application controls, etc. Special attention is already given to some specific aspects of auditing and controlling of IT, such as ERP environments.
Governance, Control and Assurance of IT Planning, Development and Operations
The outline of this module is based on the IT governance and assurance framework COBIT. This framework is internationally recognized and widely adopted, and defines 34 IT processes addressing IT planning and monitoring, IT development and operations. For each of those 34 processes, this module handles the governance, control and assurance aspects in detail.
Special Topics in IT Governance & Assurance
Special topics in IT governance & assurance address issue such as automation of the assurance work (including audit tools), management audit, certification, etc.