The most popular frameworks of IT architecture
In this blog post, I would like to provide a basic overview of the most widely used frameworks for effective and efficient enterprise IT architecture. IT architecture frameworks provide a structured and standardized approach, deliver best practices for implementing and improving IT governance, and ensure that IT resources, services and processes are implemented effectively and efficiently.
To begin with, I will introduce one of the most important frameworks in the field of IT security.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework:
Developed in 2014 by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Framework is considered the "standard work" and provides best practices, as well as comprehensive guidance for implementing and improving information security in an organization. The framework is divided into five core aspects:
- Identify: Identify cyber risks
- Protect: Implement security measures
- Detect: Register security incidents
- Respond: Response to security incidents
- Recover: Restore normal operating procedures
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework promotes a holistic and proactive approach to information security, making it a valuable tool for any organization looking to improve its information security activities.
COBIT:
This IT governance framework offers its users a holistic approach to controlling and managing IT resources and their processes. The framework has now been adapted by many companies. The goal-oriented structure, as well as methods and procedures, make it easier for companies to improve their IT governance. The framework divides IT activities into four domains:
- Plan and Organize: Setting business goals and planning IT to support those goals.
- Acquire and Implement: Acquisition and implementation of IT resources, including technologies and their applications
- Deliver and Support: Provision of internal and external IT services
- Monitor and Evaluate: Monitoring and evaluation of IT performance and compliance.
COBIT also defines 37 processes and their control objectives. These processes ensure that IT activities are secure, effective and efficient and meet business requirements.
IT4IT:
Like the COBIT framework, the IT4IT framework also serves as a reference architecture for managing and improving IT services and their operating processes in a company. The difference between the two frameworks is that IT4IT considers the entire value chain of IT services and COBIT only maps the aspect of IT governance. The IT4IT value chain consists of the following four main functions, which cover the lifecycle of IT services and resources:
- Strategy to Portfolio: Planning and Prioritizing IT Investments
- Requirement to Deploy: Requirements analysis and deployment of IT services
- Request to Fulfill: IT service fulfillment and possible problem handling
- Detect to Correct: Monitoring and continuous improvement of the IT services offered and their resources
IT4IT is based on open standards and integrates practices and methodologies from other frameworks, such as: ITIL, TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) and DevOps. A special feature is that IT4IT is cross-industry and that it can be applied to companies of all sizes.
Additional Frameworks:
Last but not least, I would like to list and briefly describe three more relevant frameworks:
- Zachman Framework: The Zachman Framework looks at an enterprise architecture from six different perspectives, helping to systematically capture the architecture and maintain a unified view.
- Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA): Developed by the U.S. government, this framework helps plan, coordinate, and improve IT systems and resources at the federal level.
- TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework): One of the most comprehensive IT frameworks - the TOGAF - helps with the methodical approach to developing, implementing and improving enterprise architectures. The framework is already being implemented by many companies.
In my opinion, these three IT frameworks offer users a good, targeted structure for building an effective IT architecture in a company or organization.
Due to the constantly changing challenges of companies, it is not possible to determine the perfect IT architecture framework. The framework that covers all relevant aspects and is tailored for every company, regardless of size. This does not exist on the market. Nevertheless, I hope that I could help you to get a small overview of the jungle called IT architecture frameworks.
Complion offers consulting services and support for the selection and implementation of IT security frameworks. For information on our consulting portfolio, follow this link, or contact us at mail@complion.de.
Author: Roman Scholtysik