As we become more reliant on digital technologies the risk of cyber attacks increase. The ever changing online network creates holes that cyber criminals are continually looking to exploit. If you aren’t vigilant then you leave you business open to cyber attacks and risk losing vital information or worst case scenario is that you lose control of your own business.
Administering regular cybersecurity audits is a crucial step in the development and maintenance of an organization’s security posture. Audits can be used to evaluate compliance with various regulations, identify gaps in infrastructures or otherwise reveal potential threats that may affect operations.
The Cyber security Audit
Cyber security audits are a crucial tool for small to medium businesses that don’t have an IT security team. Cyber attacks on SMBs have been steadily increasing, and many succeeded when organizations were still figuring out how to handle them. The good news is now they know what’s needed – cyber security audits! Audits act as both a checklist of all policies and procedures within your organization as well any regulations you need to stay compliant with, ensuring your business is protected by and IT shield of steel. And since it only takes hours or days versus weeks or months like hiring someone new would take, this service has become one of the most sought-after services the team at Netlogyx has on offer. Below we will talk about the checklist required for a successful cyber security audit.
Review your data security policy
Data security has become an increasingly important concern in today’s digital world. Make sure to review your organization’s information security policy before the audit begins with regard for data confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Data confidentiality should be handled professionally with employees who have access to different data and how they share this information. Data integrity must maintain accurate data, but also warns against any IT systems that could shut down if there was a security breach. Lastly, users will need the best conditions for accessing their own personal files as possible so availability is key in order to keep up productivity when these document’s are needed most.
When it comes to your data, you should always be aware of the security risks. For example, if an auditor asks about how often your employees back up their files and what kind of encryption they use for those backups–you’ll want to know this information so that when asked by a potential employer or client-the answer is at the ready!
Centralized Policies
Consolidating your cybersecurity policies is a great way to make sure that the auditors have all of their bases covered while reviewing your company. Auditing efficiency will increase, and they’ll be able to figure out new ways you can improve security practices with more ease!
These are some of the important policies to consider:
- Disaster Recovery and Continuity plans – In case of worst case scenario what policies will allow your business to recover quickly and continue functioning.
- Remote Work Policy – How is your workforce secure when working remotely
- Acceptable Use – when employees are using IT assets what terms do they agree to?
Detail your network structure
One goal of cyber-security assessments is to identify any vulnerabilities in an organization’s computer systems by providing them with as much detail about how it operates internally so that its external environment will not be compromised. To make sure you have given ample details, create a top down layout where all assets are laid out including outlining their function inside the company.
Review compliance standards
Before your even begin your audit you should check the relevant compliance standards that apply to your business. Once these have been confirmed you can pass these details onto your auditor when the time comes. Ensuring that your business is compliant is an important part of your cybersecurity plan for a couple reasons
- The standards are there for a reasons and by being compliant you are going a long way to being cyber safe
- Streamlines the auditing process
Have a master list of security personal and their roles
Being interviewed by a security auditor can be tough. You don’t know what they are looking for and if you have all the answers, then it would make your job easier. To help minimize this stress one way is to compile a list of different responsibilities that each member has in order to give auditors access right away with less time needed spent on interviews.
The team at Netlogyx are experts in the field of Cyber Security and can help your business with a plan to ensure that any cyber security audits that are required are an easy process.