Information Technology Advisory Board (ITAB) Charter

Reports to: Provost, Executive Vice President, and CIO

Charter

As the information technology and information/cybersecurity landscape evolves in both sophistication and complexity, a structure of consistent guidance and insights from Wake Forest University leadership ensures decisions are strongly aligned with the unique needs of Wake Forest University students, faculty and staff. To this end, the Information Technology Advisory Board (ITAB) serves as the chief advisory body guiding senior-level technology and information security decisions at Wake Forest. In collaboration with the CIO and CISO, the ITAB informs and recommends technology and information security priorities, strategy, and policy to the Provost and Executive Vice President. In doing so, the ITAB will cultivate and maintain a secure technology environment for Wake Forest which minimizes exposure to risk and accommodates innovation, agility, and emerging technologies.

The chair and membership of ITAB are appointed by the Provost and Executive Vice President. To ensure effective insight and guidance around IT matters, membership of the ITAB requires diverse perspectives from the College and Schools, major academic support units, and leaders from administrative support divisions. The chairs of the IT Partners’ Council (ITPC) and the Committee on Information Technology (CIT) serve as standing members of the ITAB.

Scope

• Ensure information technology platforms and services are aligned with academic and administrative direction and priorities, assessing the fit of major new IT initiatives and emerging technologies within the context of Wake Forest’s mission, goals, and priorities.
• Advise on requirements and standards for capacity, capabilities, and strength of the University’s technology infrastructure to meet current and future campus needs
• Consider new platforms and services, and guide direction for exploration, pilot and/or implementation in the context of Wake Forest’s particular needs and priorities
• Guide the University’s information security strategy
  • Contribute to development of an effective information security framework with appropriate IT controls.
  • Review and evaluate risk assessments and proposed mitigation strategies for current or emerging information security threats.
  • Contribute to and shape official guidance and operating procedures as they relate to information security, within enterprise platforms as well as applications managed outside of information systems.
  • Sponsor information security awareness programs, guiding focus and scope of campaigns..
  • Review proposed information technology policies and procedures to advance overall University posture in data strategy, technology accessibility, and information security, and ensure policy exists to establish authority, accountability, and responsibility relating to information and technology.
• Consider recommendations from CIT, ITPC, and other university stakeholders

Format and Cadence

ITAB will meet quarterly with the option to call special meetings on an as-needed basis. Minutes will be recorded to reflect discussion, decisions and action items. ITAB Meeting time is devoted to discussion, guidance and consideration of topics of concern. Agendas and materials are provided with advance notice in the support of thoughtful, dynamic and productive discussions. The University CIO and IS planning staff support the ITAB Chair in the development of meeting agendas, analysis to frame committee discussions and decisions, and communication to the Provost and EVP.