Cybersecurity Audits (And Three Tips for Running One)

You need more than the latest antivirus software to ensure your company’s network is secure. A cybersecurity audit helps you create a complete picture of your security strategy.rnrnCybercrime has grown into one of the epidemics of modern times.rnrnIn 2018 alone, we saw 812.67 million instances of malware infection. Meanwhile, 2020 brought with it a 600% increase in cybercrime. And estimates state that ransomware attacks will cost companies over $6 trillion per year by 2021.rnrnIf you don’t prioritize cybersecurity, you place yourself and your company at risk of attack.rnrnNow, it’s likely that you already have some strategies in place to combat hackers and other malicious cyber forces. However, you also need to feel sure that the measures you have in place are sufficient.rnrnThat’s where cybersecurity audits become important.rnrnIn this article, we examine what cybersecurity audits are and share some crucial tips for running one in your company.rnrn rn

WHAT IS A CYBERSECURITY AUDIT?

rnThink of an audit as a comprehensive examination of every cybersecurity strategy you’ve put in place. You have two goals with the audit:rn

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• Identify any gaps in your system so you can fill them.
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• Create an in-depth report that you can use to demonstrate your readiness to defend against cyber threats.
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rnA typical audit contains three phases:rn

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1. Assessment
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2. Assignment
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3. Audit
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rnIn the assessment phase, you examine the existing system.rnrnThis involves checking your company’s computers, servers, software, and databases. You’ll also review how you assign access rights and examine any hardware or software you currently have in place to defend against attacks.rnrnThe assessment phase will likely highlight some security gaps that you need to act upon. And once that’s done, you move into the assignment.rnrnHere, you assign appropriate solutions to the issues identified. This may also involve assigning internal professionals to the task of implementing those solutions. However, you may also find that you need to bring external contractors on board to help with implementation.rnrnFinally, you conclude with an audit.rnrnThis takes place after you’ve implemented your proposed solution and is intended as a final check of your new system before you release it back into the company. This audit will primarily focus on ensuring that all installations, upgrades, and patches operate as expected.rnrn rn

THE THREE TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CYBERSECURITY AUDIT

rnNow that you understand the phases of a cybersecurity audit, you need to know how to run an audit effectively such that it provides the information you need. After all, a poorly conducted audit may miss crucial security gaps, leaving your systems vulnerable to attack.rnrnThese three tips will help you conduct an effective cybersecurity audit in your company.rn

TIP #1 – ALWAYS CHECK FOR THE AGE OF EXISTING SECURITY SYSTEMS

rnThere is no such thing as an evergreen security solution.rnrnCyber threats evolve constantly, with hackers and the like continually coming up with new ways to breach existing security protocols. Any system you’ve already implemented has an expiration date. Eventually, it will become ineffective against the new wave of cyber threats.rnrnThis means you always need to check the age of your company’s existing cybersecurity solutions.rnrnMake sure to update your company’s systems whenever the manufacturer releases an update. But if the manufacturer no longer supports the software you’re using, this is a sign that you need to make a change.rn

TIP #2 – IDENTIFY YOUR THREATS

rnAs you conduct your company’s cybersecurity audit, continuously ask yourself where you’re likely to experience the most significant threat.rnrnFor example, when auditing a system that contains a lot of customer information, data privacy is a crucial concern. In this situation, threats arise from weak passwords, phishing attacks, and malware.rnrnMore threats can come internally, be they from malicious employees or through the mistaken provision of access rights to employees who shouldn’t be able to see specific data.rnrnAnd sometimes, employees can leak data unknowingly.rnrnFor example, allowing employees to connect their own devices to your company network creates risk because you have no control over the security of those external devices.rnrnThe point is that you need to understand the potential threats you face before you can focus on implementing any solutions.rn

TIP #3 – CONSIDER HOW YOU WILL EDUCATE EMPLOYEES

rnYou’ve identified the threats and have created plans to respond.rnrnHowever, those plans mean little if employees do not know how to implement them.rnrnIf you face an emergency, such as a data breach, and your employees don’t know how to respond, the cybersecurity audit is essentially useless.rnrnTo avoid this situation, you need to educate your employees on what to look out for and how to respond to cybersecurity threats. This often involves the creation of a plan that incorporates the following details:rn

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• The various threat types you’ve identified and how to look out for them
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• Where the employee can go to access additional information about a threat
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• Who the employee should contact if they identify a threat
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• How long it should take to rectify the threat
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• Any rules you have in place about using external devices or accessing data stored on secure servers.
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rnRemember, cybersecurity is not the IT department’s domain alone. It’s an ongoing concern that everybody within an organization must remain vigilant of.rnrnBy educating employees about the threats present, and how to respond to them, you create a more robust defense against future attacks.rnrn rn

Audits Improve Security

rnCybersecurity audits offer you a chance to evaluate your security protocols.rnrnThey help you to identify issues and ensure that you’re up-to-date in regards to the latest cybersecurity threats. And without them, a business runs the risk of using outdated software to protect itself against ever-evolving attacks.rnrnThe need to stay up-to-date highlights the importance of cybersecurity audits.rnrnHowever, your security solutions are not one-and-done. They require regular updating and re-examination to ensure they’re still fit for the purposes you’re using them for. As soon as they’re not, there will be vulnerabilities to your business that others can exploit.rnrnAudits improve cybersecurity.rnrnAnd improved cybersecurity means you and your customers can feel more confident.rnrnIf you’d like to conduct a cybersecurity audit but you’re unsure about whether you have the skills required to do so correctly, we can help. Give us a call at 317-497-5500 or contact us here, to discuss your existing systems and how we may be able to help you to improve them.rnrnArticle used with permission from The Technology Press.