What is a security audit?
With today’s ever-evolving threats it would be irresponsible for an organisation not to perform checks on their security controls. Security controls do not necessarily have to be IT orientated, like firewall settings, they can be physical as well, like access controlled doors. Also with the ever-growing list of security standards that organisations have to comply to, auditing is essential. A security audit is an evaluation of an organisation’s controls they have in place to protect their assets. A thorough security audit will take in all aspects of security, the physical and logical. Security Audits can also determine compliance to legislation, such as the Data Protection Act, or to a standard, such as ISO/IEC 27001:2013. However, security audits do not necessarily need to be for legislative or compliance reasons. They can be a useful tool in assessing how certain business procedures or areas are operating. A security audit can also be a tool to remind staff of how they should be operating in a secure manner. Security audits can either be performed by your own organisation or an external auditor can be brought in. There are downfalls in doing a security audit by yourself. If performed by your own organisation there can be a level of bias. Sometimes an internal auditor can often be unwilling to raise non-conformities against colleagues. With an external independent auditor, your organisation will benefit from an unbiased view and experience of a person who knows what exactly to look for. For more information on security audits please contact ERS or go to our website.FAQs
A security audit is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s ability to protect its assets, both physical and digital. For example, reviewing firewall settings to prevent cyber threats, or checking the effectiveness of access-controlled doors in a physical space to protect against unwanted intrusions, are parts of a security audit.
The main purpose of a security audit is to uncover vulnerabilities, weaknesses or non-compliances in an organization’s security controls, and ensure the protection of its assets. This may include compliance with legislation like the Data Protection Act, or standards like ISO/IEC 27001:2013.
The scope of a security audit encompasses all aspects of an organization’s security mechanisms, covering both physical and digital domains. It can assess business procedures, personnel conduct, and tech systems to confirm they are working in a secure manner and meet required standards.
A security audit checklist is a tool used to systematically assess an organization’s security measures. The checklist might include items like ensuring proper firewall setups, reviewing physical access control implementations, checking adherence to data protection laws, among others.
To prepare for a security audit, you should first understand the standards and legislation requirements your organization needs to meet. It’s also important to assess all aspects of your existing security controls. Organize all relevant documentation, ensure staff are aware of their security responsibilities, and consider employing an independent external audit expert for an unbiased view.
The frequency of conducting security audits can depend on several factors such as changes within the organization, evolving security risks, or specific legislative or industry requirements. However, it is generally a good practice to conduct security audits annually to ascertain the strength of current security systems and to uncover any potential vulnerabilities.
