Review of the Audit Log Is an Example of Which of the Following Types of Security Control?

What is a security audit?

A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company's data system by measuring how well it conforms to an established set of criteria. A thorough audit typically assesses the security of the system'southward concrete configuration and surround, software, information handling processes and user practices.

Security audits are frequently used to determine compliance with regulations such equally the Wellness Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the California Security Breach Information Human action that specify how organizations must deal with information.

These audits are one of three main types of security diagnostics, along with vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. Security audits measure an information system's performance against a list of criteria. A vulnerability assessment is a comprehensive study of an information arrangement, seeking potential security weaknesses. Penetration testing is a covert arroyo in which a security expert tests to see if a system can withstand a specific attack. Each approach has inherent strengths and using two or more in conjunction may exist the most constructive arroyo.

Organizations should construct a security audit plan that is repeatable and updateable. Stakeholders must be included in the process for the best upshot.

Why do a security audit?

In that location are several reasons to do a security audit. They include these half dozen goals:

Identify security problems and gaps, besides every bit organization weaknesses.
Establish a security baseline that time to come audits can be compared with.
Comply with internal organization security policies.
Comply with external regulatory requirements.
Make up one's mind if security training is adequate.
Identify unnecessary resource.

Security audits will help protect critical data, identify security loopholes, create new security policies and track the effectiveness of security strategies. Regular audits tin can assistance ensure employees stick to security practices and can take hold of new vulnerabilities.

When is a security audit needed?

How often an organization does its security audits depends on the manufacture information technology is in, the demands of its business and corporate structure, and the number of systems and applications that must be audited. Organizations that handle a lot of sensitive information -- such every bit financial services and heathcare providers -- are likely to exercise audits more than frequently. Ones that use but one or two applications volition find it easier to conduct security audits and may do them more than oft. External factors, such as regulatory requirements, impact inspect frequency, as well.

Many companies volition do a security audit at least once or twice a twelvemonth. But they can as well be washed monthly or quarterly. Different departments may have different audit schedules, depending on the systems, applications and data they employ. Routine audits -- whether done annually or monthly -- can aid identify anomalies or patterns in a system.

Quarterly or monthly audits may exist more than most organizations have the time or resources for, nonetheless. The determining factors in how often an organization chooses to practise security audits depends on the complexity of the systems used and the type and importance of the information in that system. If the data in a system is accounted essential, then that system may be audited more ofttimes, only complicated systems that accept fourth dimension to inspect may be audited less frequently.

An organization should conduct a special security inspect after a information breach, arrangement upgrade or data migration, or when changes to compliance laws occur, when a new system has been implemented or when the business organization grows by more than a defined amount of users. These one-time audits may focus on a specific area where the result may take opened security vulnerabilities. For instance, if a data breach just occurred, an inspect of the affected systems tin assistance determine what went wrong.

Internal vs. external security audits — Companies can do their ain audits or bring in an outside grouping.

Types of security audits

Security audits come up in ii forms, internal and external audits, that involve the following procedures:

Internal audits. In these audits, a business uses its ain resources and internal audit department. Internal audits are used when an organization wants to validate business systems for policy and process compliance.
External audits. With these audits, an outside organization is brought in to conduct an audit. External audits are besides conducted when an organization needs to ostend information technology is conforming to industry standards or government regulations.

There are two subcategories of external audits: 2d- and third-party audits. Second-party audits are conducted by a supplier of the organisation existence audited. Third-party audits are done by an contained, unbiased group, and the auditors involved take no clan with the system under audit.

What systems does an audit encompass?

During a security audit, each organisation an organization uses may exist examined for vulnerabilities in the following areas:

Network vulnerabilities. Auditors look for weaknesses in any network component that an assaulter could exploit to access systems or information or cause harm. Information every bit it travels between two points is particularly vulnerable. Security audits and regular network monitoring keep track of network traffic, including emails, instant messages, files and other communications. Network availability and access points are besides included in this part of the inspect.
Security controls. With this role of the audit, the auditor looks at how effective a visitor's security controls are. That includes evaluating how well an organization has implemented the policies and procedures information technology has established to safeguard its data and systems. For example, an accountant may bank check to see if the company retains administrative command over its mobile devices. The accountant tests the visitor's controls to brand certain they are effective and that the visitor is following its ain policies and procedures.
Encryption . This role of the audit verifies that an arrangement has controls in place to manage data encryption processes.
Software systems. Here, software systems are examined to ensure they are working properly and providing accurate information. They are also checked to ensure controls are in place to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to private information. The areas examined include data processing, software evolution and figurer systems.
A rchitecture management capabilities. Auditors verify that IT direction has organizational structures and procedures in place to create an efficient and controlled surround to process data.
Telecommunications controls. Auditors check that telecommunications controls are working on both client and server sides, as well as on the network that connects them.
Systems evolution audit. Audits roofing this expanse verify that any systems under development come across security objectives ready by the arrangement. This office of the inspect is also done to ensure that systems nether development are post-obit set standards.
Data processing. These audits verify that data processing security measures are in place.

Organizations may also combine specific audit types into i overall control review audit.

Checklist of information needed for database audit — Database administrators demand specific types of information when preparing for an audit.

Steps involved in a security audit

These five steps are generally part of a security audit:

Agree on goals. Include all stakeholders in discussions of what should be achieved with the audit.
Define the scope of the inspect. List all assets to be audited, including figurer equipment, internal documentation and processed data.
Conduct the audit and identify threats. Listing potential threats related to each Threats can include the loss of data, equipment or records through natural disasters, malware or unauthorized users.
Evaluate security and risks. Assess the hazard of each of the identified threats happening, and how well the organization can defend against them.
Determine the needed controls. Place what security measures must exist implemented or improved to minimize risks.

Test vs. assessment vs. inspect

Audits are a separate concept from other practices such as tests and assessments. An audit is a manner to validate that an organization is adhering to procedures and security policies gear up internally, likewise every bit those that standards groups and regulatory agencies set. Organizations can conduct audits themselves or bring in third parties to practise them. Security audit best practices are available from various industry organizations.

A test, such as a penetration test, is a procedure to check that a specific organisation is working as it should. IT professionals doing the testing are looking for gaps that might open up vulnerabilities. With a pen test, for instance, the security annotator is hacking into the system in the same way that a threat actor might, to determine what an attacker can see and access.

An cess is a planned test such as a risk or vulnerability assessment. It looks at how a system should operate and and then compares that to the organization's electric current operational land. For example, a vulnerability cess of a reckoner system checks the status of the security measures protecting that arrangement and whether they are responding the way they should.

Security audits are i function of an overall strategy for protecting Information technology systems and data. Observe out the latest thinking on cybersecurity best practices and procedures.

This was last updated in June 2021

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