IT governance

The success of a company depends more and more on the effective use of IT applications, which means that IT-related issues must also be included in strategic considerations. The rapid pace of technological development brings many opportunities but also harbors many risks that present companies with new challenges. To ensure sustainable protection in the context of IT-related risks, it is therefore all the more important to align IT strategies and corporate objectives as part of good IT governance.

What is IT governance?

IT governance is a comprehensive approach to managing and controlling IT in companies to promote the achievement of corporate goals. By implementing specific management structures, organizational processes, and internal guidelines, IT governance ensures that the company’s IT infrastructure and resources optimally support corporate goals and strategy. It aims to minimize IT-related risks and increase company value through the efficient use of IT. IT governance covers several areas, including the strategic orientation of IT, the allocation of IT-related responsibilities, and the distribution and management of IT resources. Today, IT governance is an integral part of corporate management, ensuring that IT decisions align with overarching corporate goals.

What are the benefits of good IT governance?

Good IT governance offers numerous advantages for companies. By aligning IT with the company’s objectives, current and future IT projects can contribute to the company’s success. This increases organizational efficiency and agility while reducing costs through the effective use of IT resources. Good IT governance also promotes transparency and communication by clearly defining roles and responsibilities, leading to optimized decision-making. Another significant benefit is the improvement of risk management and compliance, helping companies protect themselves against data breaches and cyberattacks or respond to them effectively. Adequate IT governance can also absolve management of liability in the event of damage, leaving no room for liability on the part of the managing director.
In summary, implementing IT governance processes can increase productivity, reduce costs, and ultimately enhance enterprise value..

What are the requirements of the law?

The NIS 2 Directive requires companies in sectors such as energy, finance and healthcare etc. to protect themselves comprehensively against cyber threats. DORA, the Digital Operational Resilience Act, is aimed specifically at the financial sector and focuses on the establishment of risk management when using information and communication technology (“ICT”). The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), on the other hand, sets out clear requirements for the cyber security of products with digital elements in order to identify potential security vulnerabilities at an early stage and ensure the integrity of digital systems

Our services in the area of IT governance

  • Analysis of the IT governance status
    Through an extensive analysis of your existing IT infrastructure regulations, we identify gaps and risks in your processes that make you vulnerable as a company.
  • Examination of the impact of individual laws
    Determining whether a company is subject to individual statutory regulations such as NIS-2, DORA and CRA can sometimes be difficult. We will be happy to carry out an assessment to ensure that your company is on the safe side.
  • Consulting and implementation
    We are happy to support you in complying with the relevant legal requirements and implementing legally compliant IT solutions to improve your IT governance
  • Definition of processes and creation of guidelines
    For large companies in particular, it is important to have individual processes comprehensively defined and written down in guidelines in order to ensure a holistic expansion of IT governance across the entire corporate environment and minimize liability risks
  • Training in the area of IT governance
    As technological change is taking place at all levels of the company, we offer individual training for managers and employees in the area of IT governance, particularly with regard to IT security laws, in order to raise awareness of risks.
  • Ongoing support
    Through ongoing support for your company from our experts, we ensure that you are always up to date with the latest regulatory requirements.

Contact persons

Dirk Koch

Dirk Koch

Attorney at Law | Partner

CEHv11 – Certified Ethical Hacker | Data Protection Risk Manager | CIPP/E

Olga Stepanova

Olga Stepanova

Attorney at Law | Partner

LL.M. (Berkeley)|CIPP/E|Certified Specialist for Intellectual Property Law|Certified Specialist for IT Law|Data Protection Officer (TÜV)