I write to you today from the ISO General Assembly (GA) in Geneva, Switzerland. As the Australian member at ISO, the ISO GA is always an action-packed week for us.
 
This year the event focuses on advancing the global agenda through international standards. In alignment with our own strategy in Australia, this theme relies on the exploration of new technologies and new ways of thinking.

Jan Begg is an experienced non-executive director and governance consultant with expertise in strategy implementation and project governance. As Managing Director of Azulin she has worked with aged care, healthcare, education and infrastructure organisations. Jan is Chair of the international standards committee ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 40 covering IT governance and service management, and she also chairs the national committee IT-030 which mirrors the work of JTC 1/SC 40.
 
Standards Australia: What is the significance of IT governance and how do standards help support it?
Jan Begg: IT governance can be viewed as the link between corporate governance and the management of technology. In other words, how do the board of directors and CEO ensure that IT is managed effectively in alignment with the organisation’s strategic plan and purpose? The value delivered by good IT governance is a decrease in risk and an increase in stewardship. Standards play into this by keeping us safe but allowing us to exercise choice.
 
SA: As a speaker at next month’s Digital Trade Standards Workshop, what opportunities are there for IT governance and management within the region? 
JB: As part of broader initiatives by a number of ASEAN bodies, digital connectivity, security of data and innovation will underpin the region’s economic growth. The workshop is a practical way to share existing knowledge and trends that will support or challenge digital trade opportunities. Increased involvement from ASEAN countries with different legislative frameworks will help to identify if existing IT governance standards should be revised or where new guidance is required.
 
SA: JTC 1, the international committee for all things ICT, has its plenary meeting in November. What’s on the agenda?
JB: The plenary will cover everything from smart cities, data analytics, 3D printing, telecommunications and information exchange, and the Internet of Things to the more traditional topics such as software and systems engineering and interconnection of IT equipment. As so many areas converge we are seeing overlap within the committees, such as collaboration between blockchain and IT security techniques. Most recently a joint working group was proposed for IT governance and artificial intelligence.
 
SA: What do you think is in the future of standardisation?
JB: Technological advances are crossing industry and business silos, so we need to interpret standards in a more horizontal way and standardise terms and definitions for new technology. Whether it be in digital trade or other aspects of our economy, standardisation combined with good governance and management leads to competitive advantage, better decisions and outcomes for customers. Utilising technology in standards development will help maintain the balance between regulation, standardisation and innovation, and will ultimately help streamline current processes.

From visual and digital standards to crowd-sourcing participation, here are some of the concepts being explored by the Incubator. Watch the video here.