No one cares more about your organization’s cybersecurity than you do. With cyber-attacks on the rise for small and mid-sized businesses, it’s imperative that you maintain operational continuity, protect customers, and secure valuable data and IP.
You’ve put a lot of work into your cybersecurity plan. But when auditors are in the building, they’ll be on the lookout for things you may have missed.
Cybersecurity audits can feel like a regulatory hassle, but they’re also an opportunity to assess and improve your security posture – to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do, and reduce the risk of a costly breach or ransomware incident. To take the stress out of a cybersecurity audit and turn it into a beneficial experience, it pays to be prepared.
That’s why Blumira has created a checklist to make sure you’ve got every component in place before the auditors arrive. As you review it, be sure to contact us if you need help filling in those missing pieces.
Preparing for an audit
Give yourself and your team plenty of time to prepare for your cybersecurity audit by following these steps:
- Review the checklist and ensure all items are addressed
- Gather and organize necessary documentation
- Prepare your team to answer questions about your security practices
- Be transparent about any known issues and your plans to address them
Remember, the goal of an audit is not perfection, but rather to demonstrate a commitment to continual improvement in your security posture.
The checklist
1. Policies and procedures documented – Auditors will be looking for an up-to-date information security plan that addresses current and emerging threats. It should include policies and how they’re communicated to your teams, incident response and disaster recovery procedures, and user access control methodology.
2. Assets inventoried and assessed – A legacy piece of hardware or software that hasn’t been updated can become a back door for attackers. Demonstrate that you’ve got a handle on all the organization’s assets. Maintain an inventory of hardware, software, and data repositories. Keep a schedule of regular vulnerability assessments.
3. Strong access controls implemented – As single passwords are becoming increasingly passé, auditors will be looking for the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero trust or least privilege permissions. Your access control policies should also include regular reviews to account for changes in personnel and job responsibilities.
4. Network secured – Be sure you can easily demonstrate the work you’ve done to build firewalls and intrusion prevention systems, segment your network to isolate sensitive data, and encrypt data in transit and at rest. Clearly documenting these measures makes it easier for the auditors to do their jobs – and find you in compliance.
5. Security events monitored and logged – Your security information and event management platform (SIEM) should include centralized log management as well as reporting and analysis capabilities. A robust platform like Blumira will allow you to show auditors how suspicious activity is detected, blocked, tracked, and mitigated.
6. Employees trained – Auditors will be looking for concrete training modules and schedules that show how employees are being educated on their role in cybersecurity. This includes regular security awareness training with information on procedures for reporting suspicious incidents. Employee readiness drills can also include simulated phishing attacks.
7. Third-party risk managed – Vendors and partners are all too often a source of vulnerability. Cybersecurity auditors don’t restrict their scrutiny to the inside of your buildings. They’ll want to see that you’re regularly assessing third-party practices, reviewing their access to your systems, and requiring cyber protection in contracts.
8. Systems updated – With known vulnerabilities a major avenue for cyber-attacks, auditors will be looking for any failure to implement patches or updates. You can reassure them with a well-documented software and firmware management schedule that also includes your process for phasing out end-of-life systems.
9. Regular backups performed – Show that you’re prepared to quickly recover from a cyber-attack or fend off a ransomware demand with automated backup to secure, off-line locations.
10. Internal audits conducted – Don’t wait until the auditors are on the way. Your cybersecurity plan should include regular self-assessments that allow you to address findings before they come to anyone else’s attention. Document the self-assessments and your remediation efforts so you can show them to auditors.
How Blumira can help
At Blumira, we understand that many businesses lack the resources for complex security implementations. Our cloud SIEM and XDR solutions are designed to simplify your security operations and your audit preparation with:
- Rapid deployment – Get up and running in hours, not months
- Automated threat detection – Quickly identify and block potential security issues
- Guided playbooks – Receive step-by-step instructions for addressing findings
- Centralized logging – Simplify log collection and analysis
- Compliance reporting – Generate understandable pre-built reports
- Expert support – The Blumira team is available 24/7 for help and analysis
Blumira will help you automate many aspects of your security operations, making audit preparation more manageable. Our platform provides the visibility and documentation you need to demonstrate your security controls. You’ll be able to focus on cybersecurity instead of spending time on busywork.
Ace your audit
Cybersecurity audits don't have to cause you stress. By following this checklist and leveraging the right tools, you can approach your next audit with confidence.
Blumira is here to support you every step of the way, providing the technology and expertise you need, even if your resources are limited. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can help you prepare for your next audit and strengthen your overall security posture.
