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IT Domain

Domains are groupings of IT processes. There are four broad domains: planning and organisation, acquisition and implementation, delivery and support, and monitoring.

Definitions for the four domains identified for the high-level classification are:

Planning and Organisation -
This domain covers strategy and tactics, and concerns the identification of the way IT can best contribute to the achievement of the business objectives. Furthermore, the realisation of the strategic vision needs to be planned, communicated and managed for different perspectives. Finally, a proper organisation as well as technological infrastructure must be put in place.

Acquisition and Implementation -
To realise the IT strategy, IT solutions need to be identified, developed or acquired, as well as implemented and integrated into the business process. In addition, changes in and maintenance of existing systems are covered by this domain to make sure that the life cycle is continued for these systems.

Delivery and Support -
This domain is concerned with the actual delivery of required services, which range from traditional operations over security and continuity aspects to training. In order to deliver services, the necessary support processes must be set up. This domain includes the actual processing of data by application systems, often classified under application controls.

Monitoring -
All IT processes need to be regularly assessed over time for their quality and compliance with control requirements. This domain thus addresses management's oversight of the organisation's control process and independent assurance provided by internal and external audit or obtained from alternative sources.

It should be noted that the IT processes within a Domain can be applied at different levels within an organisation. For example, some of these processes will be applied at the enterprise level, others at the information services function level, others at the business process owner level, etc.