"An enterprise's IT infrastructure is like a city. Without traffic lights, chaos is inevitable. COBIT is the traffic police of IT."
COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies) is a governance framework developed to help organizations control IT processes, establish governance, and align them with business goals. Initially published by ISACA, COBIT helps answer the question: “How can we get more value from IT?”
Why is it important?
Aligns IT investments with business objectives
Helps manage and mitigate risks
Enables measurable performance
To learn more, visit the COBIT 5 Foundation Training page.
“If COBIT 5 was a corporate manual, COBIT 2019 is a dynamic GPS system that adapts to every change.”
While COBIT 5 focuses on fixed processes, COBIT 2019 introduces:
A flexible structure tailored to organizational goals
Introduction of Focus Areas
A continuously updatable model
Expanded governance components like policies, culture, information, and competencies
For in-depth learning: COBIT 2019 Foundation Training
“COBIT may seem complex, but like LEGO, when the right piece is in the right place, the system works beautifully.”
Core components of COBIT:
Governance Objectives: Over 40 defined and measurable goals
Governance and Management Objectives: Process areas like APO, BAI, DSS, MEA
Capability Assessment Model: Measures process maturity
Design Factors: Elements like policies, roles, skills, information, and culture
For a hands-on introduction: COBIT 5 Foundation
“COBIT isn't just for techies! It's a compass for everyone from the C-suite to system administrators.”
Ideal users of COBIT:
CIOs, CTOs, CISOs
IT strategy managers
Auditors and risk professionals
Enterprise architects
Compliance and governance officers
Recommended course for these roles: COBIT 2019 Foundation Training
“Imagine your company is migrating to the cloud. Who manages the risks? What data needs encryption? COBIT answers these questions.”
Scenario: A bank is undergoing cloud migration.
COBIT defines data security policies
Process owners are identified
Performance metrics are tracked
IT activities align with regulatory requirements
Outcome: Compliance + Security + Efficiency = Greater business value
“If ITIL is the restaurant, COBIT is the operations manager running it.”
| Comparison | COBIT | ITIL |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Governance & control | Service management |
| Audience | Executives, IT leaders | Operational teams |
| Focus Area | Strategy, risk, compliance | Service quality, customer focus |
| Certification | Offered by ISACA | Offered by AXELOS |
Summary: ITIL helps get things done; COBIT ensures it's done right.
Compliance (Finance Industry)
Ensures transparency and auditability for regulations like GDPR and KVKK.
IT Budget Control (Public Sector)
Aligns IT spending with strategic goals and avoids unnecessary costs.
Cybersecurity Management (Energy Sector)
Sets up access matrices, response protocols, and control frameworks.
COBIT Foundation – Basic concepts and structure
COBIT Design & Implementation – Tailored governance setup
COBIT Assessor – Capability and maturity evaluation
All certifications are provided via ISACA.
Define enterprise goals
Map key processes (e.g., risk, IT budget)
Conduct gap analysis
Apply governance components
Start a continuous improvement cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
Start your learning journey with the COBIT 5 Foundation
For an advanced roadmap, consider COBIT 2019 Foundation