Audits
Create efficiency in managing your audit program with a streamlined approach and reduce its increasing operating costs.
IT Audits evaluate the information technology infrastructure, policies, and operations of an organization. Information technology audits ensure IT controls protect corporate assets, ensure data integrity, and align with the company’s goals. The auditor examines the physical security, business, and financial controls involved with information technology systems.
Information Technology (IT) audit: the evaluation or assessment of an organization’s IT systems, management, operations, and related processes.
An IT audit may be carried out in connection with a financial regularity or selective audit. As the records, services, and operations of many businesses are often computerized, there is a need to evaluate the IT controls in the course of an audit of these companies.
How It Works
While performing an IT Audit, the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) will check for compliance with Government policies, standards, laws, and regulations on information and related technology. These compliance checks will be those that are specific to your industry, as well as overall compliance demands.
A successful IT Audit will assess specific technology risks and the control environment related to your company’s critical business processes. In general, an IT Audit occurs as follows:
- Establishing the objectives and scope of your company’s IT Audit.
- Developing the plan to achieve the IT Audit objectives.
- Gathering the information that is relevant to the IT controls and evaluating them.
- Performing the IT Audit tests. Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) like data extraction and analysis software or test data may be used during the testing phase where appropriate.
- Report on the IT Audit findings.
Many organizations spend large amounts of money and time on IT. They recognize the many benefits IT can bring to their day-to-day operations and services.
Regardless of the investment in your IT infrastructure, it must remain reliable, secure, and invulnerable to attacks. An IT Audit provides assurance that your infrastructure:
- is protected
- provides reliable information to users
- is properly managed
Many companies and their employees rely on their IT without knowing how it works. Computer errors can repeat indefinitely, causing untold damage over time- far more than a simple human mistake. IT Audits uncover misuse and vulnerabilities in your infrastructure to close gaps in security.
They also reduce the risk of:
- data tampering
- data loss or leakage
- service disruption
- poor management of IT systems
Primary Objectives
IT audits ensure information-related controls and processes are working properly. This is important as operations at modern companies are becoming computerized.
The primary objectives of an IT audit include:
- Evaluate the systems and processes that are in place to keep company data secure
- Determine potential risks to a company’s information assets
- Identify solutions to minimize risks and diminish the threat landscape
- Establish that information management processes are in compliance with IT-specific laws, policies, and standards
- Identify inconsistencies and inefficiencies in IT systems and associated management
We define the different levels of your IT infrastructure. We map out a strategy to address potential risks. This crucial step generates confidence that the IT Audit function is working, so you can focus on running your business.
IT Compliance
In an increasingly complex regulatory environment, compliance risk management is essential. Businesses under regulatory scrutiny must meet statutory requirements, adhere to best practices in corporate governance, and reduce potential risk to the company’s reputation. Our security solutions experts can address any aspect of compliance, including:
- financial audit
- public company audit requirements
- IT internal control validation and assessments
Our IT security consultants specialize in a variety of industries. They hold credentials in many IT compliance disciplines. Audits we can help you prepare for include:
- SSAE 16 (SOC 1, SOC 2, & SOC 3 Audits)
- PCI DSS Audits
- HIPAA Security Assessments
- Cloud Security Audits
- SysTrust & WebTrust Services
- Sarbanes-Oxley Services
- Internal Accounting & IT Controls Audits
- Multi-Source IT Audits
- Agreed-Upon Procedures
IT Security Control Audit
Loyal IT’s risk management services help businesses mitigate risks to sensitive information and systems. Every company must balance users’ demand for speed, ease of use, and convenience against the critical need to keep data secure against potential vulnerabilities and threats. This is why every business should perform at least one information technology audit per year.
Loyal IT’s information technology audits ensure systems operate optimally. At the same time, you’ll prove compliance with your organization’s strategic security goals. Our experts design and execute a strategy to help you meet and exceed the expectations of your auditors. We conduct a variety of specialized and industry-specific IT tests to address security, risk, and compliance. We provide strategies to improve your business productivity and mitigate information technology risks.
Our security risk management services include:
- Information Technology Support of Internal Assessments & Audit
- Information Technology General Controls
- SOX IT General Control Consulting Services
- External Financial Assessments & Technology Support
- Information Technology Testing
- License Compliance