Improved business processes, risk management top the list of payoffs IT executives are seeing. It turns out the pessimism wasn't entirely warranted.Despite low expectations, companies have received business benefits from Sarbanes compliance.
In 2005, we reported that fewer IT executives expected business benefits from Sarbanes compliance than in 2004. Many still feel that Sarbanes-Oxley is a business distraction. But it turns out the pessimism wasn't entirely warranted: More than half of respondents complying with Sarbanes-Oxley say their company did benefit from compliance after all. The top benefit is also a top CIO priority: process improvement.

Story Guide:

Finding 1: Many more companies report full compliance with recent regulations than did last year.

Finding 2: It's not yet clear whether compliance spending has peaked.

Finding 3: Compliance is driving spending on consulting, security and document management.

Finding 4: Regulations appear to be achieving what the government intended.

Finding 5: Despite low expectations, companies have received business benefits from Sarbanes compliance.

Finding 6: Compliance goes more smoothly when a holistic approach is taken.

Read our previous surveys on compliance:

Compliance 2005: Is Automating Compliance a Waste of Money?

Sarbanes-Oxley 2004: Are You Ready to Comply?

Discuss June 2006 Compliance Survey: CIOs Find Compliance Brings Business Benefits   >>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!

>>> More Past News Articles          >>> More By Allan Alter