A critical component of many businesses is their information security architecture (ISA). The goal of this is to provide IT security solutions that improve the business’s ability to defend itself against external threats and internal attacks. A well-designed ISA can help businesses avoid spending resources on unnecessary or ineffective solutions and can help them to more effectively respond to these threats quickly and efficiently. A good ISA architecture will help to ensure that all layers of an organization’s IT infrastructure are performing adequately and that the various layers are communicating well with each other. In order for this architecture to work effectively, however, it is important for users and administrators to be aware of what to look for during a review.
Focus of IT security audit
Most IT security audits focus on one layer – the application layer – while others concentrate on two layers – the hardware layer and the network layer. Application layer audits commonly look at how the code is written and executed, while network layer audits look into the security of networks that utilize the Internet as their main delivery system. Some of the techniques used include looking into how communications are handled by the application, reviewing IT policies and procedures, checking the security of servers, looking into the security of backup media, and even checking to see if the application is properly closed in case of a critical system failure. This brief guide has been created to give you a general idea of what to expect from such audits.
Establish the objectives of the evaluation
Before any audit takes place, it is crucial to establish the objectives of the evaluation. When setting up the goals of the audit, you will need to determine what the objectives are, as well as the time scale and budget that will be dedicated to the project. Having an IT security policy can go a long way in helping to protect sensitive data and help to enforce an accurate view of what to expect from an audit. Your IT security policy should clearly define what to do when an audit occurs, the procedures that are involved in performing one and the actions that are taken should any information become compromised during the course of the audit.
Each IT security audit will involve a review of one or more business objectives. Depending on your IT policies, you may also have some pre-determined procedures that must be followed. These procedures are used as a way to ensure that every part of the business can be audited without exposing any of the sensitive data to potential harm. In addition, these procedures are often governed by laws, regulations, and standards that are in place to protect the confidentiality of information.
Expose the inner workings of the business’ IT systems
Many IT security audits will expose the inner workings of the business’ IT systems. Depending on what is being reviewed, the auditor will identify the possible weak spots, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities that could pose a risk to the organization, and cause potential cyber-attacks. One of the primary goals of such assessments is to reduce the risk to the organization of outside attacks and viruses that are designed to steal sensitive data. In some cases, these attacks could lead to the exposure of unneeded information that can then be used to take advantage of the company. Auditors will perform routine and thorough assessments that will allow them to spot weak spots and vulnerabilities.
Three different types of IT security audits
When it comes to IT security audits, there are three different types that typically occur. The first type is a routine audit. Such an audit is usually scheduled once per year and will look at how the company’s security practices have changed over the past year. This also includes looking for any new or additional threats that have been detected and are designed to help the organization look into its future practices for reducing risks.
The second type of audit occurs after a breach has already happened. In this case, a risk assessment will be conducted under the supervision of a qualified individual. This assessment will then generate recommendations for improving how the company safeguards its confidential data as well as recommending the necessary corrective steps. Finally, the third type of audit occurs after a cyber incident has occurred and there is already a loss of information. Such an event may also generate recommendations for more proactive measures to prevent another possible compromise.
There are many things that should be covered by an audit. The goal is to identify gaps in the organization’s security processes and make them better designed to meet the needs of the business. An IT security audit should cover all layers of an organization and not just certain parts of it. Such an audit should also consider the relationship between the internal controls and the external controls and how they interact with one another. It is also very important that an auditor thoroughly reviews the reporting methods and compliance standards of the various companies that share a specific set of technology or a piece of software.