Roles and Responsibilities of IS Functions (Including Segregation of Duties)

The combination of a defined organization structure, policies and procedures, and clearly defined job functions ensures that the IT organization can meet the continuing needs of the organization. The IT department continually faces challenges in the form of competing priorities, shifts in business priorities, and operational firefighting. The fast pace of business demands that the IT function be flexible and prepared for changes, as well as stay focused on the long- and short-term goals of the organization. If the IT function is unable to control change introduced into the environment by internal or external factors, IT staff will find themselves disregarding internal controls and will lead themselves and the organization into chaos.

The IT organization has to perform two high-level functions: