Information Security audit and risk Assessment

Security is a necessity. It is imperative in case of information storing and protection. Protecting information, its privacy, integrity and availability, is precisely known as information security. Today, various companies store highly confidential data and private information on their computer systems.

Most companies are information-based and store the same on their computers. Data, like bank details, employee salary, personal staff details are stored on the machines. Firewalls are not sufficient to protect information from hackers.

One of the major threats to information security is the employees who use the computer systems. However, simple change in password and use of tough combinations make it difficult for hackers to access private information.

Security risk assessment is performed at the initial stage to identify and implement security measures as per requirement.

Information security audit is a process of regular scrutiny to ensure proper implementation and functioning of security measures.

The first step to assess information security risk is to identify and evaluate the consequences associated with susceptibility followed by the implementation of a cost-effective program for security. This entire process consists of structuring security guidelines and policies as well as assigning responsibility of security and employing protections for technical security. This is again followed by cyclic reviews of compliance, along with upgradation in tandem with rapid enhancement of technology. The following points are also necessary for information security.

• Implementation of proper security measures
• Promoting awareness of security to cultivate employee commitment
• Providing employee training for security skills
• Maintaining security incident reporting and handling procedure
• Monitoring the security practices regularly
• Holding intermittent security audits

• Assessing assets and processes associated with the system
• Determining potential threats to integrity, confidentiality and availability of the computer system
• Assessing the vulnerabilities of the system
• Analyzing potential risks and consequences from threat activity
• Determining the protection requirements for risk control
• Selecting and implementing appropriate security procedures
• Interviewing the admin, network operators and users who may provide further information

• Obtaining checklists for inventory and auditing that covers network architecture, web application, and wireless network among others
• Reviewing in order to figure out loopholes in security measures
• Implementation of technical support for proper functioning of audit system
• Preparing a status report to emphasize on conformance and gaps between implementation of security measures and security policies

Once your information audit is complete, protecting the audit data and tools become imperative. You cannot keep it online. The best possible way to handle the situation is by encrypting data and storing it in a secondary media storage device. The physical documentation must be obtained directly from the unauthorized users.

Maintain audit tools through regular monitoring. Eliminate these tools from the operational and developmental systems after use.

Secure your data through proper risk assessment and thorough information security audit.