All organisations, no matter the size, rely on their IT infrastructure to run their businesses. If the IT system is down, most organisations are unable to trade.
So, it is vital that you are aware of the details of your current IT infrastructure as well as the security status of your processes and equipment. A security audit is far more than a check box exercise, as it determines the safety of your systems and therefore your client data and helps maintain your market reputation.
What is a security audit?
An IT security audit is a systematic audit of your IT security processes, and how well your in-house security policies are being applied. It also identifies any weaknesses within the systems and suggests the best solution to strengthen them.
An IT audit will cover a number of aspects including:
· An inventory of all hardware, purchase dates and performance demands.
· Ensuring all security procedures are up-to-date and documented.
· Identifying whether compliancy legislation is being adhered to (SOX, HITECH, HIPPA, GDPR,PCI DSS).
· Testing systems which deal with sensitive data.
· Identifying weaknesses in firewalls and security software.
· Checking the update and patching policy is adequate and maintained.
· Ensuring that sensitive data is secured.
· Identifying weaknesses in access points.
· Checking security of internet connections.
· Checking the backup policy is up to date and being maintained.
As well as assessing all the hardware and systems, an IT audit is a perfect time to ensure that the IT infrastructure is in alignment with your business goals. If it’s not, then this is an opportunity to improve your systems and see your business grow and evolve.
What are the benefits of a security audit?
There are many benefits to your business in having an IT security audit carried out. These include:
· Ensuring that your business is compliant with the legislation relevant to your industry. If the audit identifies any gaps in your compliance you have the opportunity to find a solution and therefore prevent potential fines due to non-compliance.
· Identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses within your IT infrastructure, as well as recommendations for strengthening your security ensuring your data remains safe.
· Evaluating the flow of data into your business which can identify any weak points in data processing and in storage.
· Identifying how robust your security policies are and whether they need updating or rewriting.
· Matching your IT systems with the level of security you need today in your business, as well as its suitability to help your company grow according to your business goals.
What are the dangers?
Data security itself is a hot topic in the business world, and a security audit is a means of identifying whether you are as safe as you can be. Whilst you may have firewalls and anti-virus/malware/ransomware software in place, an IT audit can identify whether these are the right forms of security for your data and your business, as well as looking deeper into all your security processes.
The main danger of not having an IT security audit carried out, is that you will be unaware of the vulnerabilities and weaknesses within your IT systems. This in itself can have a series of consequences, including security and data breaches which can end up with compliancy body fines, downtime of your business which can cost dearly, and loss of reputation. This latter point can end up being the difference between your company being viable and bankruptcy.
What next?
If you think you could benefit from a free IT security audit, then contact Supportwise today. What have you got to lose?
