With COBIT 7 marks the arrival of the next generation of one of the best-known frameworks for the governance and management of information and technology. ISACA will launch the new version on October 27, 2026. At the same time, the final transition from COBIT 2019 to COBIT 7 will begin.
For companies, IT managers, and anyone currently planning to pursue COBIT certification, this raises an important question: What will happen with COBIT 2019, and what deadlines need to be taken into account now?
When will COBIT 7 be released?
COBIT 7 will be launched on October 27, 2026. At the same time, the new COBIT 7 Foundation Certificate will be introduced. The new version will thus gradually replace the existing COBIT 2019 Foundation program.
COBIT helps organizations manage information and technology across the entire enterprise and align them with strategic business objectives. The framework does not focus exclusively on the traditional IT department, but rather on the governance and management of information and technology throughout the entire enterprise.
COBIT 2019 addresses, among other things, governance and management objectives, processes, organizational structures, policies, information flows, capabilities, and technological infrastructure. COBIT 7 now builds on this foundation in a new version.
Key Dates for COBIT 2019
Anyone who currently holds a COBIT 2019 Foundation certification should pay special attention to two dates:
- October 26, 2026: Last day to purchase the current COBIT 2019 Foundation exam or the corresponding exam preparation materials
- October 27, 2026: Launch of COBIT 7 and the new COBIT 7 Foundation Certificate
- April 26, 2027: Discontinuation of the COBIT 2019 Foundation Certificate Program
This creates a transition period: Those who pass the COBIT 2019 exam in time can continue the certification process they have already begun. However, it is crucial to take into account the deadlines set by ISACA when planning your personal training and exam schedule.
Will an existing COBIT 2019 certificate become invalid?
No. The phase-out of the previous program does not automatically mean that COBIT 2019 certifications already obtained will become invalid.
This change primarily affects the certification program and the future availability of the current exam. Those who have already successfully completed the COBIT 2019 Foundation exam do not need to immediately retake the Foundation exam due to the introduction of COBIT 7.
That is an important distinction: A certification program can be discontinued without the credentials already earned losing their validity retroactively.
COBIT 2019 or COBIT 7: What Should You Keep in Mind Right Now?
Whether you start with COBIT 2019 Foundation or wait for COBIT 7 Foundation depends primarily on your time constraints.
COBIT 2019 can be useful if …
You need the COBIT Foundation certification on short notice for a project, a work assignment, or a planned training program, and you can take the exam within the designated transition period.
October 26, 2026, is particularly important in this regard, as after that date, it will no longer be possible to obtain the current COBIT 2019 Foundation certification.
COBIT 7 might be of interest if …
If you don't need to complete your training right away and would like to get started with the new version of the framework immediately.
Starting October 27, 2026, COBIT 7 will replace the current version of COBIT. For newcomers, the focus will therefore increasingly shift to the new COBIT 7 Foundation Certificate.
What Does COBIT 7 Mean for Businesses?
The version update is not only relevant to exam takers. Companies that use COBIT as the basis for IT governance, enterprise governance of information and technology, risk management, or compliance should also keep an eye on future developments.
COBIT is used to establish frameworks that enable organizations to answer the following questions, among others:
- How are information and technology aligned with the company's goals?
- What responsibilities and decision-making structures are necessary for effective IT governance?
- How can risks, requirements, and control mechanisms be managed systematically?
- How can the benefits of technological investments be made transparent?
- How can governance and management be permanently embedded in the organization?
COBIT 7 now provides a new foundation that will guide future training, certifications, and, presumably, the practical development of governance systems.
Do companies have to switch from COBIT 2019 to COBIT 7 immediately?
A new framework does not automatically mean that existing governance structures must be replaced overnight.
Organizations should first assess what changes COBIT 7 actually introduces compared to COBIT 2019 and which of these are relevant to their own organization.
A structured transition is particularly important when it comes to established governance models. Existing processes, responsibilities, and control mechanisms should not be changed simply because of a new version number.
Instead, a gap analysis, for example, is recommended:
- Which COBIT 2019 practices are in use today?
- What changes does COBIT 7 bring?
- Which existing processes will remain unchanged?
- Where do new requirements arise?
- Which roles require additional knowledge or new qualifications?
This allows COBIT 7 to be integrated into existing governance structures in a targeted manner.
Why the Transition to COBIT 7 Is Important Now
COBIT 2019 was introduced in 2018 and 2019, respectively, as a comprehensive evolution of the previous COBIT model. Since then, the requirements for enterprise IT have evolved significantly.
Cloud platforms, artificial intelligence, increasing regulatory requirements, cybersecurity, data management, and the ever-closer integration of business and technology are shaping corporate governance today.
This also underscores the importance of a governance framework that helps organizations manage technology not in isolation, but as an integral part of overall corporate management.
The specific changes in content that COBIT 7 introduces compared to COBIT 2019 should be evaluated based on the final documents published by ISACA.
Conclusion: COBIT 7 requires timely planning
The next phase of COBIT begins on October 27, 2026. Existing COBIT 2019 users have no reason to question their current knowledge or certifications. However, anyone currently planning to pursue Foundation certification should be aware of the transition periods.
Of particular note are October 26, 2026—the last scheduled purchase date for COBIT 2019 Foundation —and April 26, 2027—the end of the current program.
For newcomers, COBIT 7 will serve as the central foundation going forward. Companies, in turn, should assess which changes in the new framework are actually relevant to their governance structures and how to facilitate a smooth transition.
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Training Tip: COBIT Foundation
With a COBIT Foundation training course , you’ll lay the groundwork for a structured understanding of information and technology governance and management and how to apply them in a business context.
SERVIEW offers COBIT training courses in both in-person and Virtual Classroom formats. Due to the upcoming transition to COBIT 7, you should pay particular attention to the current version and exam dates when booking.
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