In today’s world, most organizations and companies prefer remote cooperation. This is a convenient form of work for both employees and employers. However, this is the large-scale use of Internet programs, which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, but some may have a security risk that should be constantly monitored.
According to statistics, 45% of American companies have experienced a data breach. At the same time, it costs the most in those where about 60% of employees work from home.
Why is this happening and how will a security audit help in solving this problem? Let’s study this question.
Why do you need an audit?
In order to monitor all processes and predict possible risks, occasional security audits are sufficient. It is an objective analysis of the entire data system and is formed from indicators of external standards, and legislative norms, allowing you to evaluate security management tools. What is included in the scope of a security audit:
- information system and its main components;
- software;
- the internal network of the organization;
- data collection, exchange, and storage.
Why do you need a security audit? It allows you to check whether the information system meets the security criteria. By equating actual indicators with standards, the audit allows you to identify areas of error and correct them in time. Accordingly, a timely audit allows you to create an optimal platform for assessing and preventing the risks of data leakage of the company itself, its employees, and its customers.
Since most companies operate using the World Wide Web, audits have become mandatory to prevent cyberattacks. In parallel, also apply an assessment of the possible presence of vulnerabilities, both for direct penetration and through malware. Систематический аудит также позволит: соблюдать все legal standards and requirements, as well as to avoid the possible accrual of fines and loss of customers.
Security audit criteria
Generally speaking, an audit checks every part of the system from the general operating system to the places where the data is stored. But the process itself, the number and specifics of the stages will directly depend on the size of the company and its strategy.
The standard sequence of steps:
- Selection of criteria. You need to find a vulnerability that needs to be tested and make a list of all security features. In addition, it is important to draw up documentation (or find available) about the internal policies of the company.
- Analysis of the expertise of employees. This is a necessary step to understand how many individuals have access to the data and what the potential for human factors and error is. Ensure employees have an understanding of cybersecurity compliance practices and are trained in risk management. If not, then you need to plan training.
- Network activity monitoring. Activity and log tracking will help you identify who is using restricted data and whether it is an authorized login.
- Determining the targets of the vulnerability. If the main weaknesses of the system are determined before the direct audit, then its assessment will be more efficient and effective.
- Defense analysis. It is worth making sure that the entire system is securely protected by antivirus software, passwords are updated, encryption tools are active, and access to sensitive data is restricted.
Peculiarities of the audit
Today, automated audit methods are especially in demand, which carry out manipulations quickly, efficiently, and with less resource consumption. Yes, they are managed by professionals, but this is the most appropriate, especially for large companies.
The question “how many times and when should I check?” is impossible to answer unambiguously. This directly depends on the scale of the company and the amount of data it receives and processes. There are also normative standards according to which the organization plans audits. Basically, testing takes place once a year. However, if there is a leak, an unscheduled audit is appointed. Tests can also be carried out as a preventive measure. Timely tracking of even the smallest deviations helps to avoid serious threats in the future.
In order for the audit to be objective and impartial, it is enough to build on the following nuances:
- industry norm;
- participation of interested persons;
- the attraction of third-party resources;
- lack of influence of the company itself.
If you have conducted an audit in compliance with all the features and requirements, then employees will not have any suspicions about the results, and the identified risk will be the subject of thorough study and elimination.
Among the various types of audits, the three most important are identified:
- one-time (performed under special circumstances);
- barrier analysis (important when implementing a new production process);
- portfolio (regular audit of current affairs).
The most common errors in the IT field identified by the audit are imperfect passwords, redundant lists, insufficient file activity, etc.
Types of security audits
There are two types of auditors. Internal – conducted with the participation of a specialist who works within the company. It is required to evaluate the system itself, according to its internal workflows. External – produced by a professional who is an independent specialist. It is important for assessing compliance with all legal regulations. Several parties can participate in an external audit at once.
The work of both is always coordinated and determined depending on the tasks and requirements of the company itself and its specific goals.
