Is Your Organisation Vulnerable to Cyberattacks?Network security should be a priority of business owners, especially with the recent cyberattacks in Australia. Without implementing robust security measures and protocols, organisations could become vulnerable to cyberattacks and lose important data. Avoid this mistake by getting a network security audit! It’s one of the best ways to ensure that your company’s network is in good shape. Show
What Comprises a Network Security Audit?IT security auditors go through all aspects of your information technology systems. They measure how well each part conforms to the standards and perform regular audits. These audits also help align your business information security to the current standards and protocols, minimising reputational risk. Information security audits are based on the industry-accepted standards as well as legal requirements particular to the country. While the specific methods of the IT audit may change from one managed security provider to another, some basic steps remain the same. Here are the common items on an IT audit checklist: Device and Platform IdentificationThe first step is identifying all of the assets in your network, as well as the operating systems used. It helps ensure that any and all network security threats have been identified. Security Policy ReviewAfter the device and platform identification stage, the IT auditors also review all of your company’s security policies and procedures. Their job is to check whether your policies match the standards required to effectively protect your information technology system. Security Architecture ReviewOnce the auditors have assessed your documented policies, their next step is to analyse the actual controls and technologies that you have in place. Reviewing your security architecture will allow them to give you a more in-depth analysis of your cybersecurity measures. Read: Risk Management Strategies Risk AssessmentDuring a network security audit, the auditors will also need to identify threats to your system and determine their potential impact. Once they’ve determined what your risks are, the information will be used to provide detailed suggestions on how to minimise cyberattack risks and how to protect your valuable data. Firewall Configuration ReviewIT security auditors will also want to review your firewall. They will check your firewall’s topology, management procedures, and configuration. Additionally, network security auditors will want to check whether your firewall is up to date with the latest patches. Penetration TestingThis serves a kind of stress test for your network’s security architecture. To find previously undiscovered issues, the testers will try to “break” your network security architecture. After the audit is complete, they will provide you with a detailed report that tells you about what they’ve found. The Final WordHaving a vulnerable network can pose a significant risk to your business, your clients, and your reputation. To keep your network in good shape, get a network security audit. It can help you uncover problems with your system and arrive at the most effective solutions. What is a security audit?A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company's information system by measuring how well it conforms to an established set of criteria. A thorough audit typically assesses the security of the system's physical configuration and environment, software, information handling processes and user practices. Security audits are often used to determine compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the California Security Breach Information Act that specify how organizations must deal with information. These audits are one of three main types of security diagnostics, along with vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. Security audits measure an information system's performance against a list of criteria. A vulnerability assessment is a comprehensive study of an information system, seeking potential security weaknesses. Penetration testing is a covert approach in which a security expert tests to see if a system can withstand a specific attack. Each approach has inherent strengths and using two or more in conjunction may be the most effective approach. Organizations should construct a security audit plan that is repeatable and updateable. Stakeholders must be included in the process for the best outcome. Why are security audits important?There are several reasons to do a security audit. They include these six goals:
Security audits will help protect critical data, identify security loopholes, create new security policies and track the effectiveness of security strategies. Regular audits can help ensure employees stick to security practices and can catch new vulnerabilities.
When is a security audit needed?How often an organization does its security audits depends on the industry it is in, the demands of its business and corporate structure, and the number of systems and applications that must be audited. Organizations that handle a lot of sensitive data -- such as financial services and heathcare providers -- are likely to do audits more frequently. Ones that use only one or two applications will find it easier to conduct security audits and may do them more frequently. External factors, such as regulatory requirements, affect audit frequency, as well. Many companies will do a security audit at least once or twice a year. But they can also be done monthly or quarterly. Different departments may have different audit schedules, depending on the systems, applications and data they use. Routine audits -- whether done annually or monthly -- can help identify anomalies or patterns in a system. Quarterly or monthly audits may be more than most organizations have the time or resources for, however. The determining factors in how often an organization chooses to do security audits depends on the complexity of the systems used and the type and importance of the data in that system. If the data in a system is deemed essential, then that system may be audited more often, but complicated systems that take time to audit may be audited less frequently. An organization should conduct a special security audit after a data breach, system upgrade or data migration, or when changes to compliance laws occur, when a new system has been implemented or when the business grows by more than a defined amount of users. These one-time audits may focus on a specific area where the event may have opened security vulnerabilities. For example, if a data breach just occurred, an audit of the affected systems can help determine what went wrong. Types of security auditsSecurity audits come in two forms, internal and external audits, that involve the following procedures:
There are two subcategories of external audits: second- and third-party audits. Second-party audits are conducted by a supplier of the organization being audited. Third-party audits are done by an independent, unbiased group, and the auditors involved have no association with the organization under audit. What systems does an audit cover?During a security audit, each system an organization uses may be examined for vulnerabilities in the following areas:
Organizations may also combine specific audit types into one overall control review audit. Steps involved in a security auditThese five steps are generally part of a security audit:
Test vs. assessment vs. auditAudits are a separate concept from other practices such as tests and assessments. An audit is a way to validate that an organization is adhering to procedures and security policies set internally, as well as those that standards groups and regulatory agencies set. Organizations can conduct audits themselves or bring in third parties to do them. Security audit best practices are available from various industry organizations. A test, such as a penetration test, is a procedure to check that a specific system is working as it should. IT professionals doing the testing are looking for gaps that might open vulnerabilities. With a pen test, for instance, the security analyst is hacking into the system in the same way that a threat actor might, to determine what an attacker can see and access. An assessment is a planned test such as a risk or vulnerability assessment. It looks at how a system should operate and then compares that to the system's current operational state. For example, a vulnerability assessment of a computer system checks the status of the security measures protecting that system and whether they are responding the way they should. Security audits are one part of an overall strategy for protecting IT systems and data. Find out the latest thinking on cybersecurity best practices and procedures. This was last updated in June 2022 Continue Reading About security audit
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What is the importance of security audits?Security audits will help protect critical data, identify security loopholes, create new security policies and track the effectiveness of security strategies. Regular audits can help ensure employees stick to security practices and can catch new vulnerabilities.
What is security audit in network security?A network security audit is a technical evaluation of a company's network. The audit checks policies, applications, and operating systems for security faults and risks. Network auditing is a systematic process during which an IT specialist analyzes five aspects of a network: Network security.
What is the purpose of a network audit?Network auditing gives businesses insight into how successful their network control and management operations are, particularly regarding both internal and external compliance regulations. Network auditing typically involves analyzing the following network components: Control implementation. Availability.
Why is auditing important in cyber security?Importance of an IT security audit
Protects the critical data resources of an organization. Keeps the organization compliant to various security certifications. Identifies security loopholes before the hackers. Keeps the organization updated with security measures.
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