Within the last 10 years, businesses have seen huge advancements in computer technology and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The online business landscape has seen innovative advancements largely contributed by the introduction of cloud-based resources that have helped companies smoothly manage their operations through a practical online IT environment. As organizations transfer their infrastructures to the cloud, they open the door to potential cyber threats that can have drastic impacts on company operations/performance.
Recently, United States leaders have issued warnings regarding the expectation of Russian cyber attacks due to current foreign affairs. With that being said, cybercriminals are constantly discovering new hacking techniques and we have seen a steady increase in cyber attacks over the last decade. That is why it is paramount to have a team of experts conduct security audits to ensure that your company is taking the proper precautions to protect yourself from potential threats.
What is an IT security audit?
A true cyber security program is focused on two things: detection and prevention. By narrowing the goals to detect and respond to threats, a strong cyber security plan becomes a bastion against digital assault. An IT security audit analyzes your current network infrastructure for weak points both virtually and mundane. Basically, the security audit is an in depth assessment of an organization’s current cybersecurity measures.
Here are some of the ways your existing network is reviewed:
- Comprehensive penetration testing – we try and break into your network using known techniques.
- Risk assessment – We investigate your current standards of security and assess their efficacy.
- Historical Auditing – We review your network activity for any signs of previous intrusion.
Types of IT security audits
There are two forms of IT security audits, namely:
- Internal audit
In an internal IT security audit, a company uses its own resources and auditors to conduct the assessment. The organization conducts an internal audit to determine if its systems and cybersecurity policies are compliant with its own rules and procedures. - External audit
An external audit is carried out by a third-party. External audits are performed when a company needs to ensure that it’s complying with industry standards and government regulations.
Why is an IT security audit important?
Conducting an IT security audit produces a guideline for your businesses key cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This audit details the areas where your company is meeting the cybersecurity requirements and shows the areas where you are falling behind. The key element is providing information to businesses that shows a personalized description of how current prevention and detection measures match up with cybersecurity standards. These audits are essential for creating a risk assessment plan that will give you a roadmap on how to keep your business protected.
What is the outcome of an IT security audit?
Once we understand your network and review its security measures, we go to work on improving and strengthening your defenses. A few ways we do this are:
- Comprehensive Auditing – We watch your network to detect any signs of attack or attempts to bypass protections
- Multifactor Authentication – We implement a simple multifactor system for employees, reducing the opportunity for physical data breeches
- Updated Threat Analysis – Our team reviews and designs defenses for the most cutting edge intrusion techniques using threat intelligence tools
- Behavior Monitoring – We observe IP addresses, password logs, and MACs to ensure no suspicious traffic gains access.
Ultimately, each security audit provides different results for each business. The benefit is that the audit and plan are personalized for your business and will show you the measures that need to be taken to ensure adequate cyber protection.
If you need help in conducting an IT security audit for your business, contact us today to see how our managed solutions can help.
