What It Is

TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition is a vendor-neutral enterprise architecture framework developed by The Open Group. Its primary purpose is to provide proven methodology for designing, planning, implementing, and governing enterprise-wide change across business and IT. The core approach is the iterative Architecture Development Method (ADM), supporting tailoring to organizational contexts.

Key Components

• **ADM phasesPreliminary, A-H, plus continuous Requirements Management.
• **Content FrameworkDeliverables, artifacts, building blocks, and metamodel with core entities like actors, services, data entities.
• Enterprise Continuum, Architecture Repository, Reference Models (TRM, SIB, III-RM).
• Architecture Capability Framework for governance, skills, maturity. No formal certification for organizations; practitioner certifications available.

Why Organizations Use It

Drives strategic alignment, reuse, risk reduction, ROI improvement. Enables consistent standards, avoids vendor lock-in, supports agility. Builds stakeholder trust through governed, traceable architectures; applicable to large enterprises across industries.

Implementation Overview

Phased rollout: Preliminary capability setup, ADM iteration via pilots, governance embedding. Suited for mid-to-large organizations; requires tailoring, repository, training. No mandatory audits; self-assessed maturity via ACMM.

What It Is

23 NYCRR Part 500 is the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Cybersecurity Regulation, a state-level mandate effective March 2017 with 2023 amendments. It establishes risk-based cybersecurity requirements for financial services entities to protect nonpublic information (NPI) and information systems, emphasizing governance, controls, and evidence-based compliance.

Key Components

• 14 core requirements including cybersecurity program, CISO appointment, MFA, encryption, risk assessments, penetration testing, third-party oversight, and 72-hour incident reporting.
• Built on risk-assessment-centric architecture with annual CISO/CEO certification and five-year record retention.
• Class A companies (high revenue/employees) face enhanced audits and controls; limited exemptions for small entities.

Why Organizations Use It

• Mandatory for NY-licensed financial entities (banks, insurers, etc.) to avoid multimillion-dollar fines (e.g., Robinhood $30M).
• Enhances resilience, vendor management, and executive accountability; aligns with NIST CSF.
• Builds stakeholder trust and reduces incident risks.

Implementation Overview

• Phased roadmap: governance, risk assessment, MFA rollout, asset inventory, testing.
• Applies to NY-regulated firms regardless of location; DFS provides templates.
• No external certification but annual filing and examinations require auditable evidence (~180 words).