ISACA conference looks at navigating the future of IT

ROLLING MEADOWS - Technology continues to disrupt business and introduces new risks that IT auditors need to be aware of and respond to.

Michael Juergens, CISA, CGEIT, CRISC, will discuss the future of IT at ISACA's North America CACS conference, taking place May 2-4 in New Orleans.

Juergens, who is principal at Deloitte & Touche LLP, will share the top 10 audit issues for 2016, including these three:

• Rise of the Drones: Drone technology has moved out of the hands of the hobbyist and is now used to solve real business problems and deliver real value to organizations. From insurance companies using drones to evaluate claims, to self-driving forklifts, the potential for business use of drone technology is in its infancy. While these technologies can create value, a host of new risks emerge. From registration with regulatory bodies, to insurance impacts, to integration with other technologies, and other factors, above all, the need for effective controls is paramount. IT auditors need to be aware of these risks and plan audits accordingly.

• Cyber security: Cyber security is nothing new, and certainly the rise of threat agents and attack vectors continues to make cyber preparedness a front-of-mind issue for senior executives and boards. Historically, cyber programs have focused on making sure the organization is prepared to deal with cyber risk. As these programs mature, it is of critical importance that IT auditors play their role in providing objective assurance related to their effectiveness. This is not about defining a point-in-time audit of cyber, but developing an assurance strategy that will continue to objectively monitor the organization's cyber program.

• Payment Solutions: Gone are the days of simple cash or credit payment solutions. The rise of digital currencies, combined with the use of mobile and online payment solutions, forces organizations to meet customer demands for alternative payment options. While this enhances customer satisfaction, it requires new systems and processes to manage them effectively. This, in turn, forces a need for an evolved control environment to help protect the revenue stream, as well as comply with regulatory and other requirements. IT auditors need to be aware of emerging payment solutions, in order to plan effective audit procedures.

Global association ISACA will offer more than 60 sessions in seven tracks at the conference, including additional audit topics:

Sessions on risk, control, governance and security will also be offered. Joining the conference will be keynote speakers Tim Sanders, Internet pioneer and author; and Simon T. Bailey, global influencer and author.

Attendees can earn up to 39 CPE hours. Additional details can be found at www.isaca.org/NA-CACS2016.

Immediately prior to North America CACS, ISACA will hold the, 30 April-1 May 2016, at the same location. The conference will provide training on how to maximize the COBIT business framework to better manage and govern an organization's information and technology. Attendees can earn up to 14 CPE hours. Information can be found at www.isaca.org/NA-COBITConf2016.

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