Top Benefits of Security Audits

Security audits are part of security and networks, their aim is to keep security measure in check to remove any vulnerability from the system. With the expansion observed in cyber-crime there is an increase in need of a comprehensive audit with the core focus on the security and safety of the IT infrastructure and data associated with it. The audit focuses on both Physical Access and virtual Data Security. So, why need regular security audits? Here, we are discussing them in detail.

Important security features:

There is a list of security features with regard to physical and virtual security will be audited and they are recorded as:

1. Data Access Control 
2. User Authentication System 
3. Data Folder Structure / Permission 
4. Storage Media Control 
5. Data Protection /Data Leak Protection 
6. Internet / Intranet
7. Email/network/software Security 
8. Firewall Setup 
9. Anti-Spyware Setup /Anti-SPAM Setup / Anti-Virus / 
10. Software Patch Management 
11. Vulnerability Assessment 
12. General Assessment (fire protection, security personnel, and burglar alarms,)

Any other security related features which may be left will be taken into consideration during the auditing on need basis. The data and information gathered forms the basis of the Audit recommendations, the first thing auditing team does an AS-IS Analysis of the security environment and maps it according business processes, objective and goals of the organization.

The auditing findings are then documented in Audit Report (which is a detailed presentation of complete AS-IS analysis, assessed issues and possible challenges) in the existing IT infrastructure.

The benefits:

1. Deficits and gaps in the security features, the failure point or simply vulnerabilities that are considered hinders in business continuity. The security audit recommendations focus on correcting things which are assumed to cause serious issues in the future. 
2. The security audit report also focuses on identifying data leakage pathways and unethical data access vulnerabilities.
3. The prime focus of creating comprehensive system audit report is to ensure the maximized security of the IT systems.
4. On the other hand, the AS-IS based report is the observation and situations to assess the system in various folds. Cost and utilization anomalies, are also highlighted in the detailed report (even from the darkest hidden part). 
5. Considering the audit report, the auditing team will recommend a possible solution to eradicate assessed vulnerabilities and to seal the data leakage pathways to ensure the security of IT system. 
6. The recommendations may include, downgrade, upgrade or even change of solutions to affect the long term security plan for the assessed system.

Purpose:

The purpose of a security audit is to offer an organization ways to improve its Return On Investment (ROI). According to security experts, the successful audit would be considered as one which does not need for further investment on the system; rather help the management to remove every possible vulnerability from the existing system. The additional benefits would be:

• Productivity benefits 
• Cost-saving benefits 
• Relationship benefits
• Security benefits