How to audit your cyber security software

Even the most reliable cyber security systems need routine maintenance, just like human bodies do. Regular health check-ups are recommended by doctors, even if you’re feeling good – and the same goes for security software. While there might not be any immediate repercussions, neglecting possible problems can cause more serious ones in the future.

In a similar vein, IT systems and security software may have undiscovered flaws that hackers are waiting to take advantage of. Regular security audits are recommended to find these weaknesses and stop them from turning into expensive security breaches.

A thorough cyber security audit is designed to methodically evaluate a company’s IT infrastructure for weaknesses and compliance gaps. This thorough examination will look deeply into your security software, network setups, and user access rules, to find any weaknesses before they are used by cyber criminals.

What does a security audit entail?

Although the details may change according to the size and sector of your company, a standard security audit consists of the following essential steps:

1. Planning and scoping - In this first phase, the objectives of the audit are established, the systems to be evaluated are identified, and the audit methodology is set.
   
   
2. Vulnerability scanning - Security experts will then check your IT infrastructure for known flaws in operating systems, applications, and network configurations using specialised technologies.
   
   
3. Penetration testing - Sometimes referred to as pen-testing, this is a technique that simulates a cyber attack to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hostile actors. Pen-testers examine the efficacy of your security mechanisms by attempting a variety of hacking tactics.
   
   
4. Security policy review - To make sure your current security policies and procedures are thorough, current, and in line with industry best practices, the audit team will assess them on your behalf.
   
   
5. Reporting and remediation - Following the completion of the audit, a comprehensive report will outline the results and weaknesses found, and suggest corrective measures. The vulnerabilities found can then be fixed by your IT staff to improve your overall security posture.

Employee-led security audits

While cyber security service providers can offer in-depth audits, performing these tasks internally can be an affordable way to keep your cyber security systems functional, especially for companies with limited resources. Workers who are acquainted with your processes and systems can be very helpful in identifying possible security threats.

Here are some tips for conducting internal security audits:

• Review and update security policies - Make sure your current security policies and procedures are understandable and take into account the dangers of the present day. Policies should be updated as necessary to reflect best practices and close any gaps that are found.
  
  
• Review user access controls - Examine user access controls to make sure that only employees with permission can access IT systems and sensitive data. Verify user privileges to make sure they correspond with job duties. Always remember to remove access to employees who leave the company.
  
  
• Identify and address physical security issues - Digital and physical security are equally important. Look at the physical access restrictions for data centres, servers, and other vital networking assets. Make sure that certain areas are only physically accessible to authorised persons.
  
  
• Test backups and disaster recovery plans - To make sure backup processes and disaster recovery plans are working and capable of successfully restoring your systems, test them on a regular basis.

Although self-conducted audits are a wonderful place to start, they might not find complex vulnerabilities or have the necessary skills to evaluate your network security posture in-depth. A managed services provider (MSP) can help in this situation and offer priceless support.

Create a cyber security partnership with an MSP

Reputable MSPs will provide a variety of services, such as thorough security audits and continuous monitoring, on top of their security software services. Working with a well-known MSP will greatly improve your cyber security posture. At SEACOM, our team of highly qualified security experts has the most up-to-date information and resources to do comprehensive security evaluations.

We can help enterprises find vulnerabilities that self-conducted audits may overlook, giving you a more comprehensive view of your security standing. We are more than just security audit specialists. By using automation and novel security techniques, SEACOM can assist you in streamlining the auditing process.

We can also help you include crucial security elements in your corporate network and IT architecture. By taking a proactive stance, you can improve your security posture and lower the probability of successful intrusions. Together, we can put into practice a thorough security plan that takes into account your particular requirements. For more information about our cyber security offerings or to get a quote, email us at digitalservices@seacom.com or leave us a message.

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