Many organizations across the globe, regardless of size or scope of operations have realized the importance of using technology, they have invested in information systems to aid them in their normal operations. Management should, therefore, ensure that the system is accurate, reliable and invulnerable to Cyberattacks.
The importance of information Security audit ensures, Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of digital assets. Confidentiality ensures that information is not disclosed to unauthorized persons, integrity ensures that the information is free from modification by unauthorized persons while availability ensures that the information is accessed by the authorized person.
Therefore, carrying out an information systems audit would ensure that the organization’s data is confidentially stored, that data integrity is ensured and data is available at all times for the authorized users. An information systems audit is carried out on organization’s IT Systems, management, operations and related processes.
The Internal and External audit involves testing the internal controls, to ensure that it detects or prevent fraud, ensuring compliance, and stops misappropriation of assets and correction of bad reporting.
Role of IT Auditors
IT auditors are persons that participate in projects assignment that improves internal processes and performances. He/she, therefore, ensures appropriate IT controls are in place, also performs an audit of the existing information systems, and providing technical support to the Company and providing IT risk consultancy services.
What are the steps to putting an audit system in place?
The general steps followed during an IT audit are
- Establishing the objectives and scope,
- Developing an audit plan to achieve the objectives,
- Gathering information on the relevant IT controls and evaluating them,
- Carrying out testing, and finally reporting on the findings of the audit.
- Report on the IT audit findings
Moreover, there may be a follow-up step to find out if any recommendations by the audit team have been implemented as well as to address any arising issues.
The IT auditor also uses some general rules, technical guides and other resources recommended by ISACA or any other Accredited body
Auditors have always been perceived as a sadist whose role is to find mistakes from the workers of the organization, however, they play a critical role in ensuring that the system performs what was intended to do. Additionally, the IT managers should cooperate and look at the audit as an improvement opportunity to their system’s security and reliability. They should also consider implementing the recommendations made by the Auditors.
How can a company determine the best approach to setting up an audit system?
Every company is different, so one company’s control procedures may not necessarily be going to fit another company’s processes. Focus on key procedures — those that may expose the company to the most risk of fraud — and make sure those processes are monitored and tested regularly.
Importance of System Audits
Auditing evaluates the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls, which is vital to achieving the company’s objectives. Here is the importance of carrying out regular system audits;
- It gives assurance that the IT systems are adequately protected, provide reliable information to users and properly managed to achieve their intended benefits.
- Reduce risks of data modification, data loss or leakage, service disruption, and poor management of IT systems
In Conclusion, an information systems audit is important because it gives assurance that the IT systems are adequately protected, provide reliable information to users, and are properly managed to achieve their intended benefits. It also reduces the risk data tampering, data loss or leakage, service disruption and poor management of IT systems.