Accountability in information technology is changing

March 31, 2005     Page 5 of 5

Dictating specific requirements for corporate governance and financial reporting, the Act has become a logistical nightmare for many companies trying to comply.

SOX is not an IT regulation. It does not protect consumers against the consequences of software glitches or poor technology governance. But it does show very clearly how quickly governments can act, and how virtually any regulation will have widespread implications for IT.

As technology continues to become critical for the delivery of everything from healthcare to defense, issues of accountability, responsibility and liability will only become more important. And while this importance tends to be underscored by bad news — the software glitches that dominated headlines in 2004, for example — for many the changes mean very good news for the industry.

It means an opportunity to develop standard codes of ethics, accountability and design. It means catching up to other professions such as engineering, medicine, law or accounting. Like a company preparing to go public, or a hockey player being called up to the majors, it means we’re going pro.

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Source: IT World Canada