What is a security audit?
A computer security audit is an analysis carried out to check whether a company’s information systems are properly protected and whether security rules are correctly applied.
Unlike a penetration test, an audit does not aim to attack the system, but to observe, analyze, and verify it. It provides an overview of the existing security by reviewing procedures, configurations, and day-to-day practices.
An audit may focus on a network, servers, workstations, connected devices, or access and password management.
How is a security audit conducted?
A security audit begins with the collection of information. Auditors review company documents such as security policies, internal procedures, and system configurations.
They then check whether the rules are properly followed, for example whether passwords are strong enough, updates are applied, and access rights are correctly restricted. Interviews with staff may also be conducted to understand actual practices.
At the end of the audit, a report is written. It presents compliant points, identified issues, and recommendations to be implemented in order to improve security.
Why conduct a security audit?
An audit helps detect organizational and technical weaknesses before they lead to an incident. It helps the company better protect its data and reduce the risk of attacks.
It also ensures that the company complies with current standards and regulations, particularly regarding data protection. Finally, the audit helps improve internal practices and strengthens the overall security of the information system in the long term.
After the security audit
Data analysis plays a key role in a security audit because it makes it possible to use the collected information to draw reliable conclusions. It helps analyze logs, configurations, and control results to identify inconsistencies, abnormal behavior, or potential risks.
Thanks to this analysis, the audit becomes more accurate and objective, as findings are based on measurable data rather than simple observations. It also helps prioritize corrective actions by identifying the most critical security issues.
Finally, data analysis facilitates the writing of the final report by providing concrete evidence to support recommendations and sustainably improve the security level.
(Wikipedia)
(ANSSI)
(CNIL)