Making IT Matter

Best-in-Class IT GRC Initiatives Help to Manage Risk, Improve Visibility, and Reduce Operating Costs


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - June 9, 2009) - In a new study on best practices in information technology governance, risk management and compliance ("IT GRC"), the top performers successfully eliminated redundant risk management activities and processes for an overall cost reduction of 8.5%. The full report on IT GRC: Managing Risk, Improving Visibility, and Reducing Operating Costs is being made available by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS).

Through its proven benchmarking process, the Aberdeen research found that Best-in-Class organizations are making greater strides than their counterparts with respect to their IT GRC initiatives, leading to numerous strategic and operational benefits including:

--  Significantly larger year-over-year improvements in their ability to
    identify, assess and prioritize risks
--  Improved access and visibility for business owners regarding current
    risk status
--  Better communication of risks to key stakeholders
--  Enhanced capabilities to translate risk assessment data into
    recommendations, enabling faster decision-making
--  Significantly greater year-over-year improvements in compliance-
    related tracking and reporting
--  Better flexibility to adjust to new or updated regulatory requirements
--  Improved access and visibility for business owners regarding current
    compliance status
--  Better communication of compliance status to key stakeholders
    

"IT GRC is rising in importance with the growing recognition that the strategic value of IT lies not in the mere technology itself, but in how it is applied and managed most effectively," said Derek E. Brink, vice president and research fellow for IT Security, Aberdeen Group. "Best-in-Class performance at IT GRC initiatives translates directly to leveraging IT more effectively, in support of achieving business objectives and also in managing financial, strategic, and operational risks."

A complimentary copy of the full report is made available in part by the following underwriters: Modulo Security, and Relational Security Corporation. To obtain a complimentary copy, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5652.

To view complimentary 30-minute webcasts highlighting findings from this and other Aberdeen IT Security research, visit http://www.brighttalk.com/channels/1209/view.

For additional access to complimentary Information Technology research please visit http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-information-technology.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen or call (617) 854-5200, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

© 2009 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
451 D Street, Suite 710
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1928
Telephone: (617) 854-5200
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com

Contact Information: Media Contact: Derek E. Brink Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5254 Derek.Brink@aberdeen.com