Overview
ISO/IEC 38500 is the international standard providing guiding principles for the effective, efficient and acceptable governance of information technology within organizations. Its purpose is to help those at the highest level of an organization understand and fulfil their legal, regulatory and ethical obligations regarding the use of IT, and to provide a framework for governing current and future use of technology. Unlike management system standards, it is a governance standard directed primarily at the governing body, such as directors, owners, partners and executives, as well as advisers and managers who support them. Its scope applies to organizations of all sizes, whether public, private or not-for-profit, and to all forms of IT use. The standard is built around a model of evaluate, direct and monitor, encouraging the governing body to assess current and future use of IT, direct the preparation and implementation of plans and policies, and monitor conformance and performance against those plans. It articulates six core principles: responsibility, strategy, acquisition, performance, conformance and human behaviour. These principles guide decision-making so that IT investments support organizational objectives and manage risk appropriately. The standard distinguishes governance, which is the responsibility of the governing body, from management, which is delegated to operational leaders, and in this respect it complements management-oriented standards such as ISO/IEC 20000-1 and ISO/IEC 27001, as well as related governance guidance including ISO/IEC 38507 concerning artificial intelligence. The main benefits include stronger board-level oversight, better alignment of IT with strategy, reduced governance risk, clearer accountability and improved stakeholder confidence. Because ISO/IEC 38500 is a guidance standard rather than a requirements specification, it is not itself intended for accredited certification; instead organizations use it to shape governance frameworks, inform board assurance, support audits and demonstrate responsible stewardship of technology to regulators and stakeholders.
Included: 45 ready-to-use, fully editable documents (manual, procedures, forms, records, checklists, guidance and training material).
License: single-organization license; delivered electronically as a ZIP archive.
From purchase to audit-ready
Buy & download instantly
Pay securely by card. Your ZIP download link appears immediately on the confirmation page and in your email.
Edit & brand as your own
Open the native Word & Excel files, add your logo and details, and adapt everything to your organisation.
Implement & get audit-ready
Roll out the manuals, procedures, forms and checklists to build a working, certification-ready system.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I receive?
A downloadable ZIP containing the full set of ready-to-use documents for this toolkit — manuals, procedures, forms, records, checklists, guidance and training material, all in editable Word and Excel format. The exact document count is shown at the top of this page.
Are the documents really editable?
Yes. Every file is native Microsoft Word or Excel — no locked PDFs. Add your logo, change wording, and tailor the content to your organisation. The toolkit is yours to keep and reuse.
Does this certify my organisation?
No. These are documentation toolkits aligned to the relevant standard to help you prepare. Certification itself is issued by an accredited certification body after their audit. Our toolkits give you a strong, audit-ready starting point.
How is it delivered?
Instantly and digitally. There's no physical shipment — you download the files right after payment and receive a backup link by email.
Do I get updates?
Yes. If we revise this toolkit, you're entitled to the updated version at no extra cost — just contact us with your order details.
What is your refund policy?
Because these are digital products delivered instantly, all sales are final once downloaded. If you have any issue with your files, contact us and we'll make it right. See our Refund Policy for full details.