Few things paint a business owner or manager into a corner quite like a mandatory IT security audit does. People see tech security audits as intrusive and intimidating, often becoming filled with angst and resentment. A few techniques can reduce stress around audit time, including preparing in advance, accepting inevitable imperfections, and executing practice security checks.
Prepare Well in Advance
Like an academic exam, the more you prepare for a tech security audit, the more successful will be the outcome. When people face a lot of unknown variables over which they have no control, they can become stressed. Another significant component of IT security audit stress is leaving too much to do at the last minute. Here’s a list of things to do as soon as you receive notice:
- Eliminate as many unknowns as you can.
- Remember the tips you received from previous audits and make sure you have addressed all of them.
- Schedule remediations before the audit, even if you cannot complete them.
- Know what information you need to provide to the auditors and collect it beforehand.
- Instruct core members of your team to compile relevant information in one place.
- Take inventory of your technology assets and list who has access to software and sensitive data.
- Update your information security policy.
To get all of this done, formulate a list of goals of when you want to accomplish specific tasks and assign them along with timelines to specific individuals or teams. Check in at regular intervals to make sure that they’re getting done.
Don’t Expect Perfection
While striving for improvements should be an ongoing process, it is impossible to achieve perfection in tech security despite strict standards. An auditor will always find something you can do better. Moreover, you cannot completely eradicate all elements of surprise from an IT security audit. Audits, by nature, are unpredictable. Finally, tech security can never be perfect because it is subject to the fallibility of humans, the determination of criminals, and the imperfections of operating systems. Everyone, including government organizations, is vulnerable and at-risk in some way. Even end-to-end encryption has leaks depending on the system and other factors.
Conduct Mock Audits
Performing an internal or external practice IT security audit before a compliance audit or a big annual audit is a great way to reduce the stress around such an event. With an internal audit, you can hire and train someone to conduct security checks monthly or quarterly or several weeks before a compliance audit. You can also define the scope of each mock run.
Hiring an outside auditor ensures skill and experience but finding someone qualified is challenging and expensive. Many companies rely on external auditors for annual reports, and some industries require them. Whichever route you choose, mock audits performed by a well-trained person are accurate. They provide useful information regarding the effectiveness of your security policies, the delineation of realistic threats, the potential for natural disasters, and the update and implementation of protections like firewalls, software patches, and employee awareness. Knowing the problems, you face before an official tech security audit and having time to make remediations reduces stress during the process.
The details of cybersecurity remain elusive to many. Tech security auditors may be faced with hostility and defensiveness caused by personnel stress. As a company manager, you can alleviate the anxiety associated with an IT security audit by preparing yourself and staff in advance, managing your expectations regarding perfection, and conducting a mock audit on your own.
Go to the IT Security Experts
Bay Computing and Consulting Services was founded with the simple goal of providing the best service and support for our customers. Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff has the knowledge and expertise to help you pass the most rigorous tech audit. Our vast array of services include everything from commercial computer networking down to residential computer repairs. Contact us today!