Gaining Control Over End User Computing: Increased Pressure to Control Spreadsheets and Documents
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Use of end user computing applications such as spreadsheets, emails, and other document types has revolutionized how technology creates value for organizations. However, this brings a significant challenge to govern and control information and technology in a distributed and dynamic environment. Organizations are facing increased pressures from regulators and auditors to ensure that they have adequate controls over end user computing applications, particularly spreadsheets used in accounting and finance processes. This specifically has caught the attention of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and external auditors. This scrutiny is leading to new SOX failings for companies that had previously had no such failings. Organizations face a challenge: spreadsheets are a strategic, useful, and flexible business application but require significant amounts of checking and review to mitigate errors and risk. Despite these challenges and risks, many organizations lack a thorough understanding of end-user computing solutions that present a risk to an organization’s financial reports. In a recent GRC 20/20 survey of 109 organizations, nearly half of organizations responding (49%) state they do not have a grasp on end user computing risks and controls in their environment impacting financial reporting. In context of this increased pressure from tougher audit standards, most organizations (60%) responding to the survey state they are undertaking new process and technology improvements to address end user computing controls. This indicates significant changes within organizations to gain control over spreadsheets and documents that are used in financial and accounting processes. GRC technologies that discover, monitor, and enforce control of end user computing solutions are a key component of how to address this growing need.
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Description
Description
Gaining Control Over End User Computing
Increased Pressure to Control Spreadsheets and Documents
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