17 February 2016
An interactive seminar was hosted by the UAE-IAA for internal auditors, discussing how SAM (Software Asset Management) can lead to lower costs, mitigate risks and have better ROI on IT investment in organisations.

Dubai, UAE: The UAE Internal Auditors Association (IAA), the local body affiliated to the Global Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA-Global)'s technology subgroup organized a Seminar to address various Software Asset Management (SAM) drivers and highlighted how SAM can assist organizations in maintaining better IT governance.

The event emphasized on why in an emerging global market like the UAE, where the IT infrastructure is getting more complex due to evolving business needs, obtaining accurate software discovery tools are definitely worth investigating.

Various surveys have shown that organizations end up spending a substantial amount of the IT budget just on software licenses and maintenance cost. Additionally, infrastructural trends such as "bring your own device (BYOD) and cloud computing has led to a proliferation of abstract and potentially confusing licensing metrics. To avoid such unwanted budget surprises, and to limit operational, financial, and legal risk related to the ownership and use of software, forward-looking companies must develop and implement SAM programs. A mature SAM program can help a company optimize IT costs, reducing both out-of-compliance and over-licensing situations.

The conference was a unique platform to get auditors discuss the multifaceted approaches of implementing an effective SAM program  and in turn  reduce audit and legal exposure from software over-deployment, mitigate security risks from the use of unauthorized software and increase operational efficiency.

Ian Corstens, SAM Global Leader, Deloitte, graced the occasion as the guest speaker.

Ian Corstens, expressed his views saying, "Securing data is essential in the present market, especially expanding reliance on cloud computing, virtualization and software as a service (SaaS); the mounting complexity of the licensing models need to be maintained by oragnisations. The UAE has always been an early adopter of smart technologies and we are affirmative that more organisations will embrace SAM and keep track on this matter." 

Huzaifa Hussain, IT Subgroup -Vice Chairman, Deloitte, stated, "Software Asset and License Management plays an important role in Governance and Risk Mitigation. Software Asset and License Management helps not only reduce costs, but also helps to efficiently manage the software assets lifecycle; from procurement, usage, to retirement of software".

The UAE-IAA is continuously transforming the way it operates such that its ultimate aim of being a catalyst to develop and enhance auditing skills are realized. This conference too set a benchmark in the industry and offered a great opportunity to network with industry leaders and share effective business models. The conference concluded with an interactive question-answer session.

-Ends-

About UAE-IAA:
The UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE IAA) was set up in July 1995, as a non-profit organization along the lines of its parent body with the support and co-operation of the Emirates Group, the Economic Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Al Futtaim, Emirates Bank and Dubai Aluminum Company (DUBAL).

On the 24th of June 2006, the association sought and gained approval to become the official IIA affiliate in the UAE.

In 2008 it obtained a license to become the UAE Internal Auditors Association. The Association today has secured the support of leading companies from the UAE who are involved in promoting the profession of Internal Auditing through this medium.

In line with its mission "To provide dynamic leadership to advocate and promote the profession of internal auditing throughout the UAE", the association offers trainings, workshops, seminars, QA services and conferences with the objective of promoting the internal audit profession within the business community. The UAE IAA has frequently been inviting leading speakers from across the world to share their experience and knowledge with business leaders and audit professionals within the UAE. We have also been fortunate enough to have some of the most respected business leaders that UAE has to offer, address our audience.

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© Press Release 2016