More than ever, companies of all sizes need to ensure their online systems are protected from cyber security threats. Ransomware, data breaches, and downtime are all serious problems that can impact a business for years.
But how often should a company perform a cyber security audit? And what is the benefit of audit support services?
A cyber security audit is a process that assesses a company’s compliance. IT professionals will perform tests that help determine whether or not a company has the proper security mechanisms in place, while also ensuring the company is compliant with current regulations.
During a cyber security audit, IT professionals will evaluate the infrastructure of your IT, conduct tests to detect vulnerabilities, and identify high-risk practices.
Essentially, a cyber security audit is meant to analyze your entire IT system so that any potentially serious issues are found before they cause even bigger problems later on.
At the very least, most companies should have a cyber security audit done every year or every two years. However, depending on your current IT setup, the size of your company, and your industry, it’s highly recommended to perform cyber security audits more frequently on a quarterly or monthly basis.
For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry or you’re a large law firm, protecting client information is a crucial part of your company’s success and staying compliant.
Generally, you can better determine the frequency of your cyber security audits by:
If you’re using a large number of systems to operate, you have remote workers with cloud access to data, or you’re storing important information like client’s personal information and bank details, it’s best to schedule cyber security audits on a frequent basis.
There are several benefits of performing cyber security audits.
Downtime is costly to businesses. Lost time means lost money. And if you provide services to your clients online, downtime can mean a loss of trust between you and your customers.
A cyber security audit helps detect any issues that could turn into extended downtime before the problem arises.
Data breaches can happen to anyone, and once a company experiences one for itself, it stands to lose its reputation. If a company loses its clients’ sensitive information, it can face lawsuits, end up with considerable fines, and struggle to regain client trust.
Cyber security audits will help ensure your system is safeguarded against devastating data breaches.
To prepare for a cyber security audit, you’ll want to make sure that, first and foremost, you have a clear understanding of your company’s current IT policies. Think about how data is currently kept safe, the kind of data your company has access to, and how your computer systems are set up.
Additionally, compliance standards like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR should be reviewed and understood.
It’s also helpful to communicate with the IT professional offering the audit support services to determine if they have experience performing audits like the one your company will need.
It’s Just Results offers professional cyber security assessments and audits to help ensure your company is guarded against serious cyber threats. If you’re in need of audit support services, contact us today.
