{"id":148385,"date":"2026-01-15T17:34:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/?p=148385"},"modified":"2026-01-15T17:34:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:34:00","slug":"it-governance-vs-it-management-who-does-what-a-strategic-guide-for-managers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/it-governance-vs-it-management-who-does-what-a-strategic-guide-for-managers\/","title":{"rendered":"IT Governance vs. IT Management: who does what? A strategic guide for managers\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Differences between IT governance and IT management: roles, responsibilities, and skills compared\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the digital evolution of modern companies, understanding the difference between <strong>IT<\/strong> <strong>governance<\/strong> and <strong>IT management<\/strong> is essential for effectively managing technology and information-related risks. Within this context, roles such as IT Manager, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Head of IT, and IT staff play key roles in IT management.<br \/>\nUnderstanding these distinctions is also crucial for those working in security, such as the Cybersecurity Manager\u2014a professional who must possess advanced technical expertise and soft skills to protect infrastructures and processes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is meant by IT governance?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>IT governance <\/strong>defines the <strong>policies<\/strong>, <strong>standards<\/strong>, and <strong>objectives<\/strong> that guide the <strong>strategic<\/strong> <strong>use of information technologies<\/strong>. It focuses on aligning IT with business goals, managing risk, and setting investment priorities. It ensures that IT supports corporate objectives by providing <strong>control<\/strong>, <strong>accountability<\/strong>, and <strong>performance<\/strong> <strong>measurement<\/strong>. The CIO (Chief Information Officer) is often the primary figure responsible for IT governance.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What does an IT Manager do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>IT Manager<\/strong>, on the other hand, is <strong>responsible<\/strong> for the day-to-day <strong>operation<\/strong> of information systems. This is why questions such as \u201cWhat does an IT Manager do?\u201d, \u201cWhat are the responsibilities of a Head of IT?\u201d, or \u201cWhat does an IT technician do?\u201d are answered through <strong>technical<\/strong> and <strong>managerial<\/strong> <strong>activities<\/strong>: system maintenance, coordination of the IT team, user support, vendor management, and implementation of technological solutions.<br \/>\nCompensation for these roles varies based on experience but generally falls within a medium-to-high salary range, especially in complex corporate environments.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is the difference between a CIO and an IT Manager?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The distinction is primarily strategic:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the CIO<strong> leads the strategic vision<\/strong> and oversees IT governance;<\/li>\n<li>the IT Manager <strong>supervises operational activities<\/strong> and the day-to-day management of the IT infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In other words, the CIO decides the \u201c<strong>what<\/strong>\u201d and the \u201c<strong>why<\/strong>,\u201d while the IT Manager manages the \u201c<strong>how<\/strong>\u201d and the \u201c<strong>when<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Technical skills of the Cybersecurity Manager\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In a context of efficient <strong>IT governance<\/strong> and <strong>management<\/strong>, the role of the <strong>Cybersecurity Manager <\/strong>becomes indispensable. The required technical skills include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>knowledge of <strong>security regulations<\/strong>;<\/li>\n<li>ability to <strong>assess<\/strong> and mitigate cyber risks;<\/li>\n<li><strong>design<\/strong> and implementation of defense strategies;<\/li>\n<li>continuous <strong>updating<\/strong> on new threats, vulnerabilities, and emerging technologies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Soft Skills and Leadership\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In addition to <strong>technical<\/strong> <strong>expertise<\/strong>, a <strong>Cybersecurity Manager<\/strong> must possess strong <strong>soft<\/strong> <strong>skills<\/strong>: <strong>effective<\/strong> <strong>communication<\/strong>, <strong>leadership<\/strong>, <strong>problem-solving<\/strong>, and the ability to manage complex crises.<br \/>\nThis role requires close coordination with the Head of IT, the IT Manager, and the CIO, as well as interaction with all business functions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Educational Pathways and Professional Development\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>To become a Cybersecurity Manager, the following are recommended:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>degrees in Computer Science, Engineering, or STEM disciplines;<\/li>\n<li>master\u2019s programs in cybersecurity or IT management;<\/li>\n<li>certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CEH, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Professional growth<\/strong> is continuous, driven by the rise in cyber threats and the need to integrate security into IT governance.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Role Evolution and Future Challenges\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Cybersecurity Manager evolves from a specialized technician into a <strong>strategic<\/strong> <strong>figure<\/strong> linked to governance and risk management. Key challenges include the increasing complexity of attacks, resource management, data protection, and the creation of a corporate culture of security.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bologna Business School<\/strong> is able to offer highly qualifying and up-to-date <strong>Masters<\/strong> and <strong>Open Programs <\/strong>focused on IT governance, IT management, and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/master-fulltime\/artificial-intelligence-2\/\">Professional Master in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Management<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>full-time<\/strong>, <strong>12 months<\/strong>, taught in <strong>English<\/strong>, is designed for those who want to start a <strong>managerial career<\/strong> or develop an <strong>entrepreneurial idea <\/strong>by leveraging <strong>new<\/strong> <strong>technologies<\/strong> built around <strong>artificial<\/strong> <strong>intelligence<\/strong>. In a <strong>stimulating<\/strong> and <strong>international<\/strong> <strong>environment<\/strong>, with <strong>direct<\/strong> <strong>contact<\/strong> with leading <strong>Italian companies<\/strong>, participants will acquire <strong>innovative<\/strong> <strong>skills<\/strong> and <strong>accelerate<\/strong> their <strong>careers<\/strong> thanks to a market-oriented learning path, supported by <strong>Career Services<\/strong> and <strong>internships<\/strong> in local and global companies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.apple.com\/it\/\"> Executive Master in Artificial Intelligence for Business<\/a>,<\/strong> <strong>part-time<\/strong>, <strong>hybrid<\/strong>, <strong>12 months<\/strong> in <strong>English<\/strong>, is designed to provide the skills needed to<strong> fully exploit the potential of AI within organizations<\/strong>. It targets <strong>entrepreneurs<\/strong>, <strong>managers<\/strong>, and <strong>professionals<\/strong> who want to strengthen their profile in a labor market increasingly focused on new technologies.<br \/>\nIts <strong>flexible structure<\/strong>\u2014two evening online sessions per week and two smart weeks on campus for hands-on learning and <strong>network<\/strong> expansion\u2014allows professionals to continue their careers while undertaking an innovative and challenging educational journey, transforming <strong>talent<\/strong> into true <strong>leadership<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/open-program\/cybersecurity-management-2\/\">Open Program in Cybersecurity Management according to the National Framework 2025: strategies, governance, and organizational resilience<\/a><\/strong> is a <strong>part-time<\/strong>, <strong>hybrid<\/strong> program taught in <strong>Italian<\/strong>, delivered over <strong>eight training sessions<\/strong>. Designed to provide <strong>IT Managers<\/strong>, <strong>CISOs<\/strong>, and <strong>security<\/strong> <strong>managers<\/strong> with the skills needed to integrate <strong>cybersecurity<\/strong> into organizations, it is aligned with the National Framework for Cybersecurity and Data Protection \u2013 2025 Edition, inspired by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 and adapted to the Italian and European regulatory context.<br \/>\nBy promoting a <strong>culture of technological security<\/strong> as a <strong>lever for competitiveness<\/strong>\u2014even for <strong>SMEs<\/strong>\u2014this immersive program enables participants to acquire an <strong>operational<\/strong> <strong>toolbox<\/strong> to <strong>prevent<\/strong>, <strong>respond<\/strong> <strong>to<\/strong>, and <strong>withstand<\/strong> <strong>cyberattacks<\/strong>. In partnership with Confindustria Emilia Romagna Area Centro and T-Consulting.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>IT governance<\/strong>, <strong>IT management<\/strong>, and <strong>cybersecurity<\/strong> are increasingly central to the growth of all types of organizations, from large multinationals to SMEs. <strong>Bologna Business School<\/strong> is attentive to change and technological innovation, and is capable of <strong>training<\/strong> and <strong>upskilling<\/strong> the <strong>key players driving technological transformation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Differences between IT governance and IT management: roles, responsibilities, and skills compared\u00a0 In the digital evolution of modern companies, understanding the difference between IT governance and IT management is essential for effectively managing technology and information-related risks. Within this context, roles such as IT Manager, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Head of IT, and IT staff [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[207,92],"tags":[],"rubrica":[],"class_list":["post-148385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-en-2","category-news-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>IT Governance vs. IT Management: who does what? 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