Information security still primary concern

Information Security Management will be the most important initiative affecting IT strategy, investment and implementation in business organizations over the next 12-18 months, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) 19th Annual Top Technology Initiatives survey.

IT governance moved up the list from sixth to second place this year, reflecting the market’s renewed emphasis on corporate governance and responsibility.

The AICPA poll was conducted in late 2007 with ISACA, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Information Technology Alliance (ITA). Respondents identified the top 10 most important technology initiatives for 2008 as follows:

1. Information Security Management
2. IT Governance
3. Business Continuity Management and Disaster Recovery Planning
4. Privacy Management
5. Business Process Improvement, Workflow, and Process Exceptions Alerts
6. Identity and Access Management
7. Conforming to Assurance and Compliance Standards
8. Business Intelligence
9. Mobile and Remote Computing
10. Document, Forms, Content and Knowledge Management

Business process improvement was number five on this year’s list, reflecting the significant focus placed on internal controls to reduce error and fraud by both public and private companies.

In addition to its Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) Credential holders and IT Section members, the AICPA collaborated with the IIA, ISACA and the ITA because their members share similar perspectives on the top technology initiatives impacting business today.

The survey was conducted in Fall 2007 under the supervision of a task force led by David M. Cieslak, CPA.CITP, GSEC, and Chairman of the AICPA’s Information Technology Executive Committee. A selective group of 1,169 finance, accounting and technology participants ranked 29 technology initiatives they felt would have the most significant impact on their organizations in the next 12 to 18 months.