Information security audit

Information security audit

Many information crimes are committed due to data leaks. Equally important is the information security of state institutions, and the issues of data safety in private companies. To make sure that the company is under reliable protection, it is necessary to conduct regular audits. This procedure allows you to identify weaknesses, evaluate possible leaks, and develop strategies to prevent problems.

When is an information security audit needed?

An information security audit is a set of measures that evaluate the level of protection against external threats and unauthorized access. It may be required in the following cases:

- choice of means of information protection. Most software has its own specifics, it must meet the goals and objectives of the company. To determine the requirements for the functionality of the product allows you to invite an audit specialist;

- assessment of the current level of security of the company's information space. This can be both a routine operation and a check after the implementation of a new security system;

- obtaining a certificate. Most often, this is certification according to GOST or ISO, but there are other standards that require a certain level of information security;

- investigation of an incident related to data leakage or cyberattack.

Technology evolves and changes, so audits need to be done regularly. It will allow you to identify outdated solutions and bring the entire system in the company to a single standard.

Purposes and tasks of the auditor

An auditor in a company can achieve different goals, however, first of all, the audit should determine the level of security of the company, identify risks, and form a list of weaknesses. Based on this information, other data can be obtained through analysis, for example, to find out the cause of an information security incident. If you need an IT security audit, please contact https://itoutposts.com/it-security-audit-company/

Also, the goal of a specialist is often to determine the level of knowledge of employees, their training, and consulting. Training can also be a logical outcome if a lack of knowledge is revealed. Regulatory documents are checked, the requirements for the level of security of the IT infrastructure may be changed. At the end of the audit, a plan is developed to introduce new security technologies.

Stages

Typically, an IT security audit follows a standard scenario. First, a regulation is developed, which includes a list of responsible persons, the composition of working groups and a list of elements to be checked. The regulation also prescribes the IS threat model, possible types of offenders. The schedule and areas of responsibility are also determined.

When the formalities are resolved, the second stage begins - data collection. Each employee works in his area of ​​responsibility and assesses the level of information security in it. Someone studies documents, others study software settings, others imitate hacker attacks, others interview employees, and so on. Each group prepares a report on their activities.

The last stage is the analysis of the received data. On their basis, a conclusion is formed, which provides a detailed report on the state of information security in the company. It may also contain recommendations for correcting disputes, etc.