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Program Governance

What is Program Governance?

The framework of authority, accountability, and decision-making processes that oversee the management and delivery of a program of related projects.

Governance

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as program governance. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on program governance

Requirements naming program governance across 5 standards, quoted from the control text.

Organisation establishes governance structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability for the privacy program.

PMF-M.1 · Privacy Program Governance

Establish a documented cybersecurity program with executive sponsorship covering IT and OT environments at the water utility.

AWWA-G430-1 · Cybersecurity Program Governance

Establish a documented OT security program with executive sponsorship, defined roles, and integration with the enterprise security program while recognising OT-specific safety and reliability constraints.

OT-GOV-1 · OT Security Program Governance

Establish an Operational Technology (OT) security program per NIST SP 800-82 Rev 3 Chapter 3 (OT Cybersecurity Program Development) and Chapter 4 (Risk Management).

NISTSP82-1 · OT Security Program Governance, Policy, Roles, and Safety-Security Integration

FTC Safeguards Rule crosswalk to comprehensive cybersecurity + privacy frameworks. NIST CSF 2.0 mapping: GOVERN (Qualified Individual + Board reporting + program governance) + IDENTIFY (314.4(b) risk assessment + 314.4(c)(2) data inventory) + PROTECT (314.4(c)...

FTC-Safeguards-Crosswalk-NIST-ISO-SOC · Crosswalk to NIST CSF 2.0, NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001 and SOC 2

Questions people ask about program governance

What is Program Governance?
The framework of authority, accountability, and decision-making processes that oversee the management and delivery of a program of related projects.
Why is Program Governance important for compliance?
Program Governance is a key concept in Governance. Understanding program governance helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Program Governance?
Program Governance appears in the requirement text of AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF), AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance for the Water Sector (American Water Works Association), NIST SP 800-82 Rev 3, NIST SP 800-82 Revision 3: Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security, FTC GLBA Safeguards Rule (16 CFR Part 314). Across these standards we have identified 5 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Program Governance?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how program governance applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Program Governance applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.