An IT security audit is a comprehensive assessment of the security measures your organisation has in place to protect your information systems and the data they hold.
The key elements of the audit that collectively ensure a thorough examination of your organisation's security posture include:
- Agree Scope: Clearly outline the systems, processes, and data to be audited.
- Risk Assessment: Identify and evaluate potential risks to the IT environment, including vulnerabilities and threats.
- Policy Review: Examine existing security policies, procedures, and compliance with regulations and standards.
- Assess Technical Controls: Evaluate the effectiveness of security technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.
- Access Controls: Review user access levels and authentication methods to ensure proper access management.
- Incident Response Evaluation: Assess your organisation's readiness to respond to security incidents and breaches.
An IT security audit checks for compliance to relevant standards and regulations e.g. ISO and ASD Essential Eight. A compliance assessment is crucial for legal and regulatory obligations, risk management, reputation and trust, and continuous improvement.