Some managers and employees treat the audit as if it were a “witch hunt”. Perhaps you have already witnessed a certain nervousness or agitation in the sector at audit time.
How does an IT Audit Work?
However, when you understand how an IT audit works, you realize that it can provide many advantages and benefits to the enterprise.
It is important to mention, first of all, that an IT audit is not just limited to large companies. Small and medium-sized companies are performing audits more and more, as they have realized how much they can also benefit from this procedure.
In order for you to better understand what an IT audit is and how it works, in addition to understanding more about its objectives and advantages, we have prepared this text full of information. Stay until the end and check it all out!
What is an IT audit?
Before talking specifically about IT, it is necessary to explain that the word ‘audit’ comes from the term ‘audire’, in Latin, which means ‘to listen’. The origin of this lies in the first audits carried out by mankind, in which the auditorslistenedto the records of the workers.
Obviously, over time, the concept has been transformed and adapted. Nowadays, the auditor not only listens, but also examines, analyzes, verifies, corrects, certifies, and so on.
Therefore, carrying out an audit means applying all these activities in a sector or a company process. Consequently, an IT audit does all these detailed analyzes of IT processes, which include software, information security, equipment, optimization, etc.
What are the objectives and benefits of an IT audit?
An IT audit is based on a series of fundamental objectives for the company. Therefore, to know how an IT audit works, it is good to previously understand the purposes behind this procedure. Check out the main ones below:
- Comply with the legal and contractual requirements of the sector;
- Align IT with the enterprise’s integral strategic planning;
- Ensuring the protection of corporate data;
- Identify failures, bottlenecks and complications in the sector;
- Provide solutions, corrections and information;
- Provide a general improvement to the sector.
If the IT audit is carried out efficiently and achieves all these targets, it will promote a great number of advantages, both to the sector and to the business in general. Here are the biggest ones:
- Greater assertiveness in decision-making;
- Better IT management ;
- Reduction of internal and external risks;
- Greater agility and optimization of business flows ;
- Better application of human and technological resources;
- Increased credibility and competitiveness in the market;
- Greater prevention against cybercriminal attacks;
- Best action plan for information security.
After all, how does an IT audit work in practice?
First, it is necessary to define that there are two types of audits: internal and external.
In the internal IT audit, the activities are carried out by a professional from the company itself, who may or may not be from the same sector, but who has experience as an auditor.
The external audit, on the other hand, works as an IT Outsourcing, that is, you outsource a professional (or team) specialized in auditing in the area, so that he can carry out the procedures.
After defining who will be responsible for the audit, it’s time to map the processes, functions and tasks of the IT sector. In addition, one of the first activities of the auditor is to gather feedback from employees and department managers.
Another important starting point is to establish priority objectives and focus elements. This is very useful for directing analyzes to the factors considered most critical by managers.
During the entire audit process, it is crucial that each activity is recorded and documented, following a pre-defined schedule. Thus, all information, assessments and results collected are communicated in a transparent, objective and accessible manner.
It is also necessary to remember that the IT audit “does not end when it ends”. This is because it is necessary to build action plans with improvements, corrections and solutions based on the documentation generated and the auditors’ advice.
Do you think your company should undergo an IT audit? Coopersystem can offer you exactly what you need!
Finally, remember that if you want more informative content about technology, entrepreneurship and current affairs, just keep an eye on the Coopersystem blog!