What is Enterprise Architecture?

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a business concept that involves systematized planning, design, implementation and execution of enterprise analysis in managing business strategies. Its focus lies in the comprehensive development of enterprises through a set of beliefs and principles that guide business operations.    

Through Enterprise Architecture, companies can plan for effective use of IT resources in developing their business strategies, either through furthering existing goals or guiding innovative methods towards a new venture.

Each architecture involves a governing framework, which contain a set of principles for the systematic creation and management of an architecture. Enterprise architects are professionals who manage each structure to ensure that IT systems are aligned with ongoing business strategies and standards.

Enterprise architecture frameworks sort individual complexities in a business structure to determine the most relevant set of tools and principles in achieving optimal productivity.

There are many variations of architecture frameworks, with two of the most widely used being the Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) and Zachman framework.

TOGAF divides architectures into 4 main components: business, application, technical and data while the Zachman Framework groups data by comparing organizational perspectives against respective job roles.

Some frameworks are complementary with others, as with the case of TOGAF and Zachman models, where the former provides the information in furnishing the fields of the latter.

Enterprise architects interpret the data collected from the analysis of business strategies to moderate the functions and goals of an enterprise architecture. These professionals utilize collected data in solving issues that may arise in technology, IT, and business cycles.

Enterprise Architecture Certifications

These are valued professional qualifications held by enterprise architects, which validate their practices. Examples include the Google Professional Cloud Architect and Axelos ITIL Master certification.

The Google Professional Cloud Architect is awarded to individuals proficient in the design and management of Google Cloud systems for online security and compliance needs. Axelos ITIL Master certification is only offered to individuals with at least 5 years of experience in a leadership role within IT service management.

Fees for each certification exam varies in pricing and comes with their own set of prerequisites for interested candidates.  

Enterprise Architecture Jobs

Enterprise architects may acquire a range of job roles and positions within a company. One important role in recent times is that of the cloud architect, who oversees complex cloud systems and performs duties such as cloud data coordination, data usage distribution and developing cloud strategies.

These Cloud experts are examples of Domain architects, individuals who are specialized in a niche area of knowledge. Other roles include solution architects, who come up with innovative solutions in fixing a specific operational issue on a case-by-case basis.  

Enterprise architecture provides a clear breakdown in asset distribution within the company, along with their respective vulnerabilities and the policies set in motion.  

Through enterprise risk and security management (ERSM) coupled with Open standards (such as Open FAIR standard for information risk management), enterprise architects are equipped to effectively identify cyber threats and accurately deploy security measures and protocols by aligning security and risk management with business strategies.

Enterprise architecture allows these trained professionals to swiftly assess threats from malicious third-party sources, calculate risks based on asset value, and come up with control objectives that are implemented.