What industry-specific standards and regulations govern IT documentation?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

In the realm of IT documentation, various industry-specific standards and regulations govern the creation and maintenance of documents. These standards are essential to ensure that IT processes, systems, and products comply with best practices, safety guidelines, and legal requirements. Adhering to these standards is crucial for the IT industry to maintain security, quality, and interoperability. DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) provides a structured approach to incorporate these standards into IT documentation, allowing for organized and accessible content that conforms to industry-specific regulations.

1. NIST Cybersecurity Framework: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has established a comprehensive framework for improving cybersecurity in various sectors, including IT. IT documentation often needs to align with this framework, covering areas like risk management, security controls, and incident response. DITA can be used to structure documents that address NIST cybersecurity standards, making it easier for organizations to create compliant documentation.

2. ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is a globally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). Organizations in the IT sector must adhere to this standard to safeguard sensitive information. DITA can be applied to create documentation that maps out an organization’s ISMS, detailing security policies, procedures, and controls required for ISO 27001 compliance.

3. ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library): ITIL provides a set of practices for IT service management. IT documentation must often adhere to ITIL standards, ensuring that services are aligned with best practices for service delivery and support. DITA can be utilized to structure content that complies with ITIL processes, enabling organizations to maintain well-organized and service-oriented documentation.

Example:

Here’s an example of using DITA to structure IT documentation according to ISO 27001 standards. The DITA topic outlines key security measures and controls:


<topic id="iso27001-security-controls">
  <title>ISO 27001 Security Controls</title>
  <body>
    <section id="access-control">
      <title>Access Control</title>
      <p>Description of access control policies and procedures.</p>
    </section>
    <section id="risk-assessment">
      <title>Risk Assessment</title>
      <p>Guidelines for conducting risk assessments and risk treatment.</p>
    </section>
    <section id="incident-management">
      <title>Incident Management</title>
      <p>Procedures for managing information security incidents.</p>
    </section>
  </body>
</topic>

By structuring IT documentation with DITA, organizations can effectively incorporate industry-specific standards and regulations, ensuring that their documentation aligns with the requirements and best practices essential for the IT sector.