Internal audits are more than just a compliance requirement—they help your business maintain oversight of your people, processes and technology. We’ve broken down the purpose, process and benefits of conducting regular internal audits for your business’ cyber security.
What are internal audits?
An internal audit, sometimes called a first-party audit, is where an organisation carries out its own review of its processes and systems. The name “internal” can be a little misleading, as it is not mandatory that the organisation itself carried out the audit. To maintain impartiality, it is sometimes beneficial for an external company to be brought in to complete the audits on behalf of the organisation.
Why are they used?
Conducting an internal audit provides oversight into your business’ cyber defence capabilities and ensures that your Information Security Management System (ISMS) is meeting its objectives It assesses the adequacy of your existing controls, policies and procedures, so that you can identify what’s missing and what needs strengthening. It also assesses whether these controls are being followed correctly by respective teams within the business. An internal audit provides a report of the effectiveness of existing controls, helping you mitigate risks and demonstrate to stakeholders your commitment to building cyber resilience.
Why are they important?
One of the biggest challenges facing companies today is how quickly cyber security risks are evolving due to the increased advancements in attack techniques. You might be thinking that if you have an IT department, why do you need an external party to do internal audits? Whilst some businesses will conduct their own internal audits. an internal audit carried out by an external cyber security consultant offers an unbiased and impartial review of your controls. Having regular internal audits conducted ensures that your information management system is effectively implemented and maintained.
How does it work?
When conducting an internal audit, it is fundamentally important to define the scope, and which controls will be addressed. By doing so, this ensures that all relevant aspects are audited, and potential nonconformities are identified effectively. Any findings identified will be documented so that the organisation can manage and determine the appropriate next steps.
What are the benefits of an Internal Audit
- An objective review of the effectiveness and performance of your Information Security Management System
- Identifies areas for improvement enabling structured and effective resource planning
- Opportunity to engage staff in the audit process and helps maintain their awareness of the Information Security Management System
- Fulfils one of the mandatory requirements of ISO 27001
Looking for an internal audit provider? Explore our Audits and Risk Management services to see how we can help strengthen your business’ cyber security.
