What IT controls are essential for SOPs that rely on computerized systems?

• A. System validation, access controls, change management, data backups, versioning, and audit trails.
• B. Only password policies.
• C. No controls are required.
• D. Frequent hardware upgrades.

Answer: (A)

When SOPs rely on computerized systems, IT controls must address how information is produced, stored, and protected throughout the system’s lifecycle. System validation ensures the tool actually does what the SOP requires and yields trustworthy results. Access controls restrict who can view or modify data, keeping sensitive information secure and preventing improper actions. Change management brings structure to any updates or configuration changes, requiring approvals, testing, and documentation so changes don’t introduce new errors or inconsistencies. Data backups protect against loss or corruption, ensuring you can restore critical information and continue operations. Versioning keeps a clear history of revisions to SOPs and system configurations, so you can track what changed and when. Audit trails provide a record of who did what and when, enabling accountability and forensic analysis if issues arise. These controls together create reliability, security, and traceability for any SOP that depends on a computerized system. Relying only on password policies misses most of these protections, and no controls or merely hardware upgrades fail to address data integrity, change management, or auditability.