Start your year with a detailed network security audit

Did you know, in 2018 alone, there were 27 million personal data records exposed. As companies become increasingly reliant on technology, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your networks are adequately protected against security breaches and cyberattacks.

A network security audit evaluates your company's network for security threats by analyzing hardware, software, user access, and firewalls. We’re here to help you find out more about what a network security audit entails, how it works, and why it is so important to run them regularly.

What is a network security audit?

A network security audit is a procedural investigation into your cybersecurity policies to determine if appropriate security measures are in place. Vulnerabilities are identified that could leave your business at risk of a security breach or cyberattack. A good managed IT provider will be able to carry out an extensive network security audit to not only demonstrate where your company’s cybersecurity weaknesses lie but also how to address these issues. Due to the preference of cybercrime, a network security audit is essential to keep companies of all sizes safe from devastating cyberattacks.

How does a network security audit work?

A network security audit will start with identifying the assets on your network and all operating systems that are being used. This is an essential step in the identification and detection of cybersecurity threats. 

Various assessments are carried out to characterize your systems, determine threats, analyze cybersecurity risk, and what the potential impacts would be if your company faced a cyberattack. 

Your company’s security procedures and policies will be reviewed to check if they meet the standard required to protect your company’s data, information, and technology against cyberattacks.

User access will be regularly inspected. It is essential to determine who in the company has access to what and whether it is necessary to continue granting access to all previously approved users. User access should always be exclusively limited to essential staff. 

A good managed IT provider will review your network’s firewall configuration, topology, management procedures, and rule-based analyses. Policies for remote access should also be evaluated, and your provider should ensure that all firewalls are up to date.

Once the network security audit is complete, your managed IT service provider will offer you a detailed report outlining what they discovered. This report is critical in helping you identify any vulnerabilities in your company's networks so you can develop a comprehensive strategy to implement essential changes to your company's cybersecurity structure.

What can a network security audit uncover?

You might not even realize that your company is seriously compromising its own security by using outdated security software. This is a major problem when you consider how quickly cyberattacks and security breaches evolve.

Your company may have even experienced a security breach in the past that went unnoticed. A network security audit will detect malware, viruses, and any active security breaches so that you can find an appropriate solution for your business if a data breach or cyberattack has occurred.

In the current legislative environment, plenty of companies are bound by government compliance regulations and laws that dictate what security measures must be taken to protect your customers’ sensitive data. A network security audit will help determine if your business is taking the necessary precautions to prevent data breaches and cyberattacks, ensuring that you are compliant. 

Why is a network security audit important?

Network security audits are the most effective method in determining the biggest security risks to your company. Once informed about these potential cyber risks and hazards, you’ll be able to make the necessary changes and take precautions to lower the risk of cyberattacks for your company. 

Your company will likely incorporate new software, hardware, and office buildings as it grows. Each of these additions creates new entry points that can be exploited by cybercriminals. If these are not analyzed and addressed with a regular network security audit, resulting cyberattacks could cause extensive damage to your company. 

When it comes to data breaches and cyberattacks, prevention is always the best course of action - you’ll find it much less costly and time-consuming to prevent a data breach as opposed to recovering from one. A network security audit is the best way to understand your company’s current exposure to both internal and external security threats. 

Scheduling a network security audit is a good habit to get into, allowing you to start the year on the right foot. Make your annual appointment with a managed IT provider like Coordinated Business Systems to reduce your cybersecurity risk.