Control Maturity in Systems Development and Implementation Processes

D.

The BEST indication of control maturity in an organization's systems development and implementation processes is that code changes are tested and deployed through automation, which is option D.

Explanation:

Control maturity refers to the extent to which an organization's control environment has matured over time. Control maturity is usually assessed in terms of the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization's control activities, such as the systems development and implementation processes.

Option A, "Code changes are tested and deployed manually", indicates that there is no automated testing or deployment process in place, which means that there is a higher risk of errors, inconsistencies, and delays in the development process. Manual processes are more prone to human error, and it is difficult to ensure consistent application of controls.

Option B, "Code changes are deployed to a test server and then to production," is better than option A, but it still requires manual intervention to deploy the code to production. While testing the code before deploying it to production is a good practice, there is still a risk of human error in the deployment process, and it is not a fully automated process.

Option C, "Code changes are documented and approved," is a basic control activity that helps to ensure that changes are authorized and tracked. However, it does not provide any indication of the quality or consistency of the development process or the effectiveness of the controls in place.

Option D, "Code changes are tested and deployed through automation," is the BEST indication of control maturity in an organization's systems development and implementation processes. Automated testing and deployment processes help to ensure consistent application of controls, reduce the risk of errors, and increase the efficiency of the development process. It also allows for more frequent and faster releases, which is essential in today's rapidly changing technology landscape.

In summary, while all of the options provide some indication of control maturity, the BEST indication is that code changes are tested and deployed through automation, which is option D.