Cybersecurity Audits and Three Tips for Running One

Cybersecurity Audits and Three Tips for Running One

To ensure that your company’s network is secure, you will need more than antivirus software. A cybersecurity audit can give you a complete idea of your current security state and areas for improvement.

Cybercrime has blossomed into one of the more prevalent issues of the current time. In 2018, there were over 800 million instances of malware infection. Meanwhile, in 2020, there was an increase of 600% in cybercrime. It is estimated that ransomware attacks cost companies over $6 trillion per year in 2021. All companies should prioritise cybersecurity to avoid the risk of an attack.

You may already have some strategies in place to combat hackers and malicious attempts to penetrate your network. However, it is worth making sure that all your measures are sufficient to thwart cybercriminals. There may be zero-day exploits, new vulnerabilities, new hacking tools that you are not aware of. That is the reason cybersecurity audits are crucial to keeping your network safe.

Below, we will examine what cybersecurity audits are, how they will benefit your company, and crucial tips to run one in your company.

WHAT IS A CYBERSECURITY AUDIT?

A cybersecurity audit is a comprehensive examination of an organisation’s information technology systems and practices with the aim of identifying vulnerabilities and improving security. It is typically conducted by a third-party specialist, such as a cybersecurity firm, and may include penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. There are 2 main goals of a cybersecurity audit:

• Identify gaps in your system and network for further action.
• Generate an in-depth report to demonstrate your readiness to defend against cyber threats.

A typical audit contains three phases:

• Assessment
• Assignment
• Audit

Every audit will begin with a thorough examination of the existing system and network. The assessment phase involves checking your company’s computers, servers, software, databases, networks, and connectivity. You will also review all access rights and examine all hardware and software used in your company. This phase will highlight security gaps that require attention and further action.

In the assignment phase, you will review all the identified issues and assign the appropriate solutions. Resources will be assigned to implement the solutions, both internal and external. This phase involves the identification of external vendors and suppliers to assist with the implementation of the solutions.

The last step is the audit. Once you have implemented the proposed solutions, the audit is a final check of the system. The audit will focus on ensuring that all installations, upgrades, patches, and new hardware and software add-ons are operating as expected. This ultimate step concludes the cybersecurity audit.

THE THREE KEY TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CYBERSECURITY AUDIT

Equipped with information on the phases of a cybersecurity audit gives you an idea of what to expect. Now you will need to know how to run an audit effectively to obtain the information that you need. A poorly conducted audit can result in missing crucial security gaps that can make your company vulnerable to attacks. Below are three key tips to conduct an effective and successful cybersecurity audit:

TIP #1 – BE AWARE OF THE AGE OF YOUR SYSTEMS

Cyber threats evolve constantly. Hackers and like-minded individuals are always in search of new ways to breach existing security protocols. To get notifications of zero-day exploits, major breaches, hacks, and recently discovered security gaps, you can subscribe to security newsletters or speak to us about Managed IT Services.

Any security solution has an expiration date. At the very least, these solutions need regular reviews to ensure that they are up to date with current threats and vulnerabilities. Any system requires regular reviews as it can quickly become ineffective against newly found cyber threats.

Check the age of your existing cybersecurity solutions. Make sure your hardware and software are updated whenever the manufacturer releases an update. If the manufacturer no longer supports the system that you are using, it may be time to start looking for a change. Legacy systems that are no longer supported can be a weak link to your entire security plan. At MicroChannel, we can help you thoroughly examine the existing software and hardware that you use and give you advice for further actions.

TIP #2 – IDENTIFY THE THREATS

When you are working through the cybersecurity audit, continuously ask yourself where you are likely to experience the most significant threat. An example will be the storage of customer information where data privacy is the main concern. Threats can arise from the use of weak passwords, phishing attacks, malware, and unintended authorised access to the system.

Threats can originate from internal sources such as a malicious employee or a configuration error granting access rights to sensitive information to the wrong employee. Employees can also leak data unknowingly using their own devices on the company network. You may not have control over the security of external devices, and as such may require external suppliers to advise on methods to overcome this threat.

Knowing and understanding the potential threats is key to discovering the security solutions you may need.

TIP #3 – EDUCATING YOUR EMPLOYEES

Your employees need to understand the importance of all the security solutions you are implementing to make it a success. You may have identified the threats and created plans to respond, but without your employees acting on these, all your efforts may be useless.

To prevent this from happening, sufficient education is required for all employees. Basic security training is required to make sure that the employee itself does not become a security risk. Subsequently, you need to educate your employees on what to look out for and how to respond to cybersecurity threats. Your training should cover the following areas:

• The various threat types and how to look out for them
• Where to get additional information on cyber threats
• Who should be contacted when a threat is detected
• Rules on the use of external devices, using the company network, or accessing data stored on secure servers.

Cybersecurity is not solely the IT department’s domain. A successful cybersecurity plan can only work if everyone in the company is vigilant and made aware of the potential threats. Educating the employees about potential threats and how to respond is one of the best defences against future attacks.

Audits Improve Security

Cybersecurity audits give you a chance to evaluate and enhance your security protocols.

The audits help you to identify issues and ensure that you are up to date with the latest threats. Your business may be running with an outdated system that can be a huge risk to the continuity of the operations. Make the effort to stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity threats.

Keep in mind that your solution is not a fix-and-forget. Regular reviews are required to ensure that it is updated and still fits the purposes you are using them for. If you are using outdated security solutions, that itself may be a target for cyberattacks.

Improved cybersecurity gives you and your customer confidence. Your business runs smoothly knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to minimise your exposure to cyber threats.

If you would like to conduct a cybersecurity audit, but are not sure where to start, we can help you. Schedule a 15-minute chat with us to discuss your systems and how we can help improve them.