What is a Cybersecurity Audit And How to perform it?

 

How cyber security risks are managed in an Organisation?

It is not enough only to have security measures in place, consistent security auditing is also important. When was the last time you updated your security plans? Is your organization complying with necessary industry regulations? Are all your digital products and networks free from vulnerabilities? If you are unsure about all of these, then it is time for you to perform a cybersecurity audit.

Top indicators that you need better security measures: 

• Outdated Technology: If you have older technologies like old software or outdated policies and services, it can leave you vulnerable to evolving cyber threats.
• Thinking that your Business is “Too small” for Cybersecurity Audit: If you believe that only big companies require cybersecurity audits, then think again. Most companies, regardless of size, are prone to cyberattacks and data breaches. Whether you are a startup or a Fortune 500 company, regular cybersecurity audits can benefit all.

Scope of Cybersecurity Audits – What Does it Cover?

Cybersecurity audits provide a comprehensive analysis of the organization’s security posture. Their main goal is to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and threats that may lead to cyberattacks. To keep your data and business safe, it is important to understand what a cybersecurity audit covers.

Data Security

It involves a complete review of network access control, encryption use, and data protection at rest, along with how safe your data is during transmission.

Operational Security

This includes a complete look at all the security policies, procedures, processes, and controls in your data loss prevention strategy.

Network Security

In this review, the auditors review all network controls and security protocols. In fact, they will let you know if your security measures are working efficiently or not. Additionally, this reviews anti-virus configurations, security monitoring capabilities, etc.

System Security

It covers hardening processes patching processes, role-based access, privileged account management, etc.

Physical Security

In this security audit, auditors review the state of all physical devices that are used to access your network. This covers disk encryption, biometric data, role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication, etc.

External Vs Internal Security Audits

Cybersecurity audits can be conducted by either internal security teams or external cybersecurity firms. Both audits offer distinct advantages and serve different purposes.

External cybersecurity audits are performed by professionals from specialized cybersecurity audit companies. They have in-depth knowledge of security protocols and use advanced tools and techniques to conduct a comprehensive audit.

On the other hand, internal cybersecurity audits are conducted by the organization’s in-house security team. They can be performed more frequently and have the advantage of having direct access to the organization’s internal structure.

External Cybersecurity Audit	Internal Cybersecurity Audit
Done by an external or third-party penetration testing provider.	Done by the organization’s in-house security team.
It is a cost-effective approach.	It is usually expensive, as the organization has to maintain an in-house team.
They review the effectiveness of your current security measures and how much damage a hacker can do.	Since the in-house security team has all the access to the internal structure, they fail to mimic real hackers, who don’t have full access.
It can’t be conducted frequently, as it is outsourced.	Since it is conducted by the in-house team, it can be conducted more frequently.
It is necessary to meet necessary regulatory compliances.	Internal security audits are not enough to meet regulatory compliances.

How Often Should You Conduct a Cybersecurity Audit?

The frequency of conducting a cybersecurity audit relies on multiple factors such as the size of the organization, nature of the business, level of security risks, and required industry regulations. Generally, it is suggested to perform cybersecurity audits regularly to strengthen the security of your business.

Here are a few instances when you should conduct a cybersecurity audit:

• Annual Audits: It is recommended to perform cybersecurity audits at least once a year to assess the overall security posture. In addition to that, annual audits also allow you to stay updated with evolving cyber threats.
• Significant Change: If your organization went for a significant change in terms of network, application, or any other digital product, it could attract new threats. In such cases, you should perform security audits to safeguard your business.
• Regulatory Requirements: Certain industries make it mandatory to perform regular security audits to ensure data protection such as PCI DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.
•  

Best Practices to Perform Cybersecurity Audits

To conduct a comprehensive and effective cybersecurity audit, you need to follow the best practices. Here are some recommended steps that will help:

Establish Clear Objectives

Define specific objectives and goals of the audit. For example, evaluating network security controls, the effectiveness of access management processes, identifying potential vulnerabilities, etc.

Review Compliance Standards

Different industries have different sets of security regulations. Make sure your auditor knows the proper industry standard they need to comply with.

Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT)

Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) is a process in which cybersecurity professionals use automated tools and manual testing techniques to find vulnerabilities. They will provide a detailed report of the found vulnerabilities and steps to fix them.

Wondering what a VAPT report looks like? Click below and download one!