Information technology (IT) has developed greatly throughout the years so that as it moves along, many sectors in the business world in addition to government organizations have made IT an important part of their businesses. This reliance upon IT necessitates an IT audit that involves evaluation and formal validation of the quality and productivity of computer control systems. The main goal in this procedure is simply to ensure that IT systems are maintaining information integrity, safeguarding property, and adhering to overall organizational ambitions as well as objectives.
While bringing efficiency to operations, it's unquestionable however, that the use of information technology with procedures can certainly bring in chance of systems errors, leading to great loses for the business. For example, a bank may suffer considerable amount of cutbacks from a mistake in inputting repetitive financial data. This is one of the several reasons why organisations aim to implement IT auditing.
An IT audit ought to therefore cover the aspects of the business or business which will take into account the balancing of the business framework functioned by the IT environment coupled with relevant control infrastructure regarding proper value along with reassurance. A sound IT audit ought to deal with the following parts:
1. IT Operation and Maintenance Handles
A computerized system may allow copying of input, conceal some processes, or possibly make itself susceptible to distant and unauthorized entry. This could lead to information loss, computer mistreatment such as fraud, errors in program and other potential hazards.
Application controls are carried out to provide peace of mind that all transactions are authorized, valid and effectively recorded. Using this, the IT auditor ought to check the controls to determine reliability. But before this is carried out, it'll be important to secure a sensible perception of the systems in place. Application control requirements covers documentation standards, input and output control, processing control, information file control, and audit specifications.
Controls within the IT system atmosphere indicate certain methods, policies, procedures and organizational structures established when it comes to providing reasonable assurance on the achievement of objectives. These controls assure performance and effectiveness with operations along with reporting and compliance to established rules and regulations.
2. Compliance
Compliance encourages finest methods within the IT audit process. This should include a code of practice and assurance process for Information Protection Governance from the organization. Guidelines should also be carried out to fulfill this need such as authorized security execution rules for supporting infrastructure along with assurance guidelines for technology elements which can be crucial to the security from the information systems being reinforced. Additionally, real-time monitoring procedures ought to be considered to detect and report possible security violation and vulnerabilities. An ISO standard for specifying security requirements for control systems will allow IT auditors to detail the protection features of a program. It will also specify just how these methods have been produced and analyzed by simply the organization.
In summary, a good IT audit ought to target these areas for adequacy of controls and other related operations to make sure program performance. When the audit is performed, there's a need to determine where controls may be depended on from the centralized or de-centralized point of view. The development of a checklist regarding efficient IT auditing will prove to be valuable in the general procedure.
Tony B Lumpkin III is an IT consultant living in Austin, Texas. With over 25 years of experience with IT audits in various industries. He is CIO of Lucid Holdings, LLC and the founder of an IT consulting firm in Austin. For more articles, please visit the website => http://www.ltjmanagement.com.com/
