Let’s dive into what CISOs need to know, whether they are conducting a cybersecurity audit or being audited externally.
The Initial Steps: One of the first steps for any CISO checklist should be to review the organization’s existing cybersecurity procedures and policies. This involves seeing what gaps may exist or need to be updated while bearing in mind that third-party service vendors must follow the same policies. Common policies include remote access, incident response,
communication, and access control.
Prior to initiating a cybersecurity audit, it is essential to review your compliance demands. These regulations and guidelines may fluctuate depending on the geographic area. If being audited externally, your auditors require the full particulars of your compliance. If your information needs to be updated, they will provide an overview to guarantee that your operations abide by any industry regulations you are subject to.
The next move should be for the CISO to inspect the technical structure of the organization. This entails examining the network design, safety measures, and any hardware or software employed. The CISO should also gauge the efficiency of the organization’s security monitoring and logging systems and any intrusion detection and prevention systems. The purpose of this step is to determine any potential security risks that could be taken advantage of by malicious actors.
A logical network diagram illustrates the way in which information is transmitted across a network, featuring elements like subnets, domains, devices, network segments, routers, and other applicable network entities. On the other hand, a physical network diagram displays the tangible components of the network, such as servers, ports, cables, racks, and other pertinent hardware. Both are vital during a cybersecurity audit.
The fourth step should be to assess the organization’s data security measures. This includes evaluating the data classification system and ensuring that all sensitive data is stored securely and encrypted. Additionally, the CISO should assess the organization’s backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure that data can be recovered in the event of a security breach or other disaster.
Once the cybersecurity audit is complete, you can use the improved sense of priority to determine what to do next. This audit will pinpoint which areas of your network are more vulnerable and provide possible solutions to these problems. By focusing on the most pressing threats, you will have peace of mind knowing your business’s data is secure and can avoid potential cyber-attacks.