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Governance & Compliance

COBIT® 2019 for Internal Auditors

This course equips internal auditors with the knowledge and skills to effectively apply COBIT® 2019 principles in governance and management of enterprise IT. Participants will learn to assess and enhance IT processes, ensuring alignment with business objectives and risk management frameworks.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
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Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Internal auditors face the challenge of ensuring that IT governance aligns with organisational objectives while effectively managing risks. Understanding COBIT® 2019 provides auditors with a structured framework to evaluate IT processes, controls, and compliance, which are crucial for operational efficiency and risk mitigation. This course will empower participants to identify key performance indicators, assess IT governance maturity, and engage stakeholders effectively. By mastering these skills, auditors can make informed decisions that enhance organisational performance and compliance, ultimately contributing to the strategic goals of their organisations. The ability to conduct thorough assessments and communicate findings will significantly improve the value auditors bring to their teams.

Participants will develop practical capabilities to assess IT governance frameworks, identify gaps in compliance, and recommend improvements that align with COBIT® 2019. Through hands-on exercises, they will practise evaluating IT processes, conducting audits, and reporting findings. This course prepares auditors to contribute meaningfully to their organisations' governance strategies by equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate complex IT environments. Participants will also learn to facilitate discussions with stakeholders and present actionable recommendations, ensuring that governance frameworks are robust and aligned with business objectives. The skills gained will enable participants to drive continuous improvement and foster a culture of accountability within their organisations.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs a blend of case studies, group discussions, and practical workshops to build participants' capabilities in applying COBIT® 2019. Each day includes scenario-based exercises where participants will analyse real-world situations, assess governance structures, and develop audit reports. Participants will engage in role-playing exercises to simulate stakeholder interactions and decision-making processes. Learning evidence includes completed assessments, audit plans, and process improvement recommendations, ensuring participants can apply their knowledge directly to their roles. This hands-on approach fosters collaboration and critical thinking, enabling auditors to effectively implement COBIT® principles in their organisations. The integration of practical applications ensures that participants leave with tangible skills and outputs relevant to their work.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Assess the COBIT® 2019 framework and its relevance to internal auditing processes.
  • Analyse IT governance structures within an organisation using COBIT® principles.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of IT management practices against COBIT® 2019 standards.
  • Design an audit plan that incorporates COBIT® 2019 for IT governance assessments.
  • Identify gaps in IT processes and recommend improvements based on COBIT® 2019.
  • Construct a compliance report that reflects findings from COBIT® assessments.
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Internal Auditors responsible for IT audits and governance assessments.
  • Compliance Officers focused on aligning IT processes with regulatory requirements.
  • IT Governance Professionals involved in implementing COBIT® frameworks.
  • Risk Management Specialists assessing IT-related risks and controls.
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Evaluate IT governance frameworks using COBIT® 2019 principles.
  • Conduct compliance assessments aligned with organisational objectives.
  • Develop audit plans that integrate COBIT® 2019 methodologies.
  • Recommend process improvements based on COBIT® assessments.
  • Prepare detailed audit reports reflecting compliance and governance findings.
  • Facilitate discussions on IT governance and risk management with stakeholders.
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Introduction to COBIT® 2019

Applied activity: Participants will analyse a fictional organisation's current IT governance framework and identify areas for improvement using COBIT® 2019 principles. They will discuss their findings in groups and prepare to present their recommendations, focusing on how these improvements can enhance governance and compliance.

Output: A gap analysis report highlighting key areas for enhancement in IT governance.

  1. 09:00–09:54Overview of COBIT® 2019 framework and its principles for internal auditors.
  2. 09:54–10:48Understanding the role of internal auditors in IT governance and risk management.
  3. 10:48–11:00Key components of governance and management objectives in COBIT® 2019.
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Key components of governance and management objectives in COBIT® 2019. (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Mapping COBIT® 2019 to organisational goals and business objectives.
  7. 13:06–14:00Introduction to the COBIT® design and implementation approach for audits.

Day 2Assessing IT Governance Structures

Applied activity: In groups, participants will assess the governance structure of a fictional company using provided criteria. They will evaluate stakeholder engagement and present their findings and recommendations to the class, focusing on how to improve stakeholder collaboration in governance.

Output: A presentation summarising the assessment results and actionable recommendations for governance improvements.

  1. 09:00–09:54Identifying stakeholders in IT governance and their roles in the audit process.
  2. 09:54–10:48Evaluating governance structures against COBIT® 2019 standards and best practices.
  3. 10:48–11:00Understanding the importance of stakeholder engagement in governance assessments.
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Understanding the importance of stakeholder engagement in governance assessments. (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Techniques for assessing IT governance maturity using COBIT® 2019.
  7. 13:06–14:00Developing assessment criteria based on COBIT® 2019 for effective audits.

Day 3Evaluating IT Management Practices

Applied activity: Participants will evaluate the IT management practices of a fictional organisation, focusing on KPIs and compliance with COBIT® 2019. They will prepare a report detailing their findings and suggested improvements, emphasising how these changes can drive better performance.

Output: An evaluation report detailing findings and suggested improvements for IT management practices.

  1. 09:00–09:54Understanding IT management objectives in COBIT® 2019 and their significance.
  2. 09:54–10:48Methods for evaluating IT management practices against COBIT® standards.
  3. 10:48–11:00Identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) for effective IT governance.
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) for effective IT governance. (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Using COBIT® 2019 to assess IT service management and operational effectiveness.
  7. 13:06–14:00Reporting on the effectiveness of IT management practices and their alignment with business goals.

Day 4Designing an Audit Plan

Applied activity: Participants will design an audit plan for a fictional organisation's IT governance framework, incorporating COBIT® 2019 elements, timelines, and resource allocation. They will present their plans to the group for feedback, focusing on how to ensure audit effectiveness and stakeholder buy-in.

Output: A comprehensive audit plan document ready for implementation.

  1. 09:00–09:54Components of an effective audit plan using COBIT® 2019 principles.
  2. 09:54–10:48Aligning audit objectives with business goals and IT governance requirements.
  3. 10:48–11:00Identifying audit scope, resources needed, and potential risks.
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Identifying audit scope, resources needed, and potential risks. (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Developing audit methodologies based on COBIT® 2019 for comprehensive assessments.
  7. 13:06–14:00Creating a timeline and milestones for the audit process to ensure timely delivery.

Day 5Reporting and Recommendations

Applied activity: Participants will draft a compliance report based on their audit findings from the previous day, including actionable recommendations for improvement. They will simulate presenting this report to stakeholders for feedback, focusing on how to address potential concerns and ensure effective implementation.

Output: A detailed compliance report ready for presentation to stakeholders, including recommendations for improvement.

  1. 09:00–09:54Best practices for reporting audit findings in a clear and actionable manner.
  2. 09:54–10:48Structuring compliance reports based on COBIT® 2019 assessments and organisational standards.
  3. 10:48–11:00Communicating recommendations to stakeholders effectively to ensure buy-in.
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Communicating recommendations to stakeholders effectively to ensure buy-in. (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Understanding the follow-up process after audits and the importance of continuous improvement.
  7. 13:06–14:00Evaluating the impact of recommendations on IT governance and overall organisational performance.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Dubai 16 Nov - 20 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 16 Nov - 20 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 4 Jan - 8 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 4 Jan - 8 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 18 Jan - 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 18 Jan - 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Barcelona 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 15 Feb - 19 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Feb - 19 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 1 Mar - 5 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Mar - 5 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Rome 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 19 Apr - 23 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 19 Apr - 23 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 17 May - 21 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 17 May - 21 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Rome 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 7 Jun - 11 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Jun - 11 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 19 Jul - 23 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 19 Jul - 23 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 16 Aug - 20 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 16 Aug - 20 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Vienna 27 Sept - 1 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 27 Sept - 1 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 4 Oct - 8 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 4 Oct - 8 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 18 Oct - 22 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 18 Oct - 22 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 15 Nov - 19 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Nov - 19 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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