Which of the following is the BEST indicator of effective IT governance?

Effective IT governance ensures that IT aligns with enterprise objectives, and a key indicator is the active involvement of executive management in IT decision-making. The CGEIT Review Manual 8th Edition emphasizes that executive management’s engagement in IT decisions demonstrates strong governance, as it ensures strategic alignment, accountability, and oversight.

Extract from CGEIT Review Manual 8th Edition (Domain 1: Governance of Enterprise IT):"Effective IT governance is best indicated by the active involvement of executive management in important IT decisions and activities. This engagement ensures that IT initiatives are aligned with business objectives, risks are managed appropriately, and value is delivered to the enterprise." (Approximate reference: Domain 1, Section on Governance Roles and Responsibilities)

Executive management’s involvement (option B) reflects a governance structure where IT is integrated into strategic planning, ensuring decisions support business goals and foster accountability at the highest levels.

Why not the other options?

A. Regulatory authorities have given a favorable report on IT controls: While a favorable regulatory report indicates compliance, it is a narrow measure and does not encompass the broader aspects of governance, such as strategic alignment or value delivery.

C. The chief information security officer (CISO) reports to a board member: The CISO’s reporting structure is a specific governance element but not the best indicator of overall IT governance effectiveness, as it focuses only on security.

D. IT management is proactive in reporting IT project status to executive management: Proactive reporting is a good practice but is a subset of governance activities, less critical than executive management’s direct involvement in decision-making.