What is the purpose of ISO/IEC 38500?

The purpose of ISO/IEC 38500 is to provide guidelines for the governance of information technology (IT) within organizations. It is aimed at assisting top management in understanding the importance of effective governance of IT, ensuring that IT supports and enhances the organization's objectives and strategies. This standard lays out principles and a framework for making decisions related to IT, emphasizing accountability, strategic alignment, risk management, resource management, and performance measurement.

The guidelines are designed to be applicable to any organization, regardless of size or type, making them versatile for various governance contexts. They help ensure that organizations can make informed decisions regarding IT investments, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations while maximizing value from IT resources.

Other options do not align with the intent of ISO/IEC 38500. Auditing processes, for instance, are typically covered by different ISO standards that focus on compliance checks rather than governance itself. Protecting personal information would fall under different frameworks that specifically address data protection and privacy, while quality management systems are governed by other regulations and standards focused on operational processes and improvement specific to quality. Therefore, option A correctly describes the scope and intent of ISO/IEC 38500.