Definition
Change management is a systematic approach to managing all modifications to an organization's IT infrastructure and services. It ensures that changes are implemented in a controlled and coordinated manner to minimize disruption and risk. This process involves planning, assessing, approving, implementing, and reviewing every change before, during, and after it occurs. Effective change management is crucial for maintaining system stability, security, and operational efficiency. For instance, deploying a new firewall rule requires a formal change request, impact assessment, and rollback plan. It is distinct from incident management, which focuses on restoring service after an unplanned disruption. Change management concepts are fundamental to ITIL frameworks and appear on certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CISSP.