All businesses that have an online presence manage sensitive data, such as customer addresses and payments.
In recent times, there has been a rise in the number of cyberattacks, which is in part due to the rise of AI-based attacks, which can more easily target smaller businesses due to issues with their cybersecurity defences.
Luckily, having a cybersecurity audit performed can help you assess risks, identify and close gaps in security, and make sure that if a threat is detected, you and your team will be able to respond quickly.
Here is how to do just that, broken down into five simple steps.
Step 1- Identify All Digital Assets
You and your team will need to round up all of the digital assets that you use in your business and the tech that you rely on in the everyday running of the company.
These usually include hardware, like computers, routers, and mobile devices, as well as things like cloud services and operating systems.
By knowing what tech you have to support your business, you can determine what needs to be protected, as well as which cyber defence systems would be best, such as EDR vs MDR vs XDR.
Step 2- Look At Current Security Measures
Next, you should look at the current security controls that you have, such as password policies, firewalls, encryption tools, and backup systems. This will help you to assess whether the updates are current, if the access is restricted as needed, and whether multi-factor authentication is enabled.
You should also make sure that all data backups work and are secure. Reviewing pre-made pen test reports can help identify potential vulnerabilities before your audit. By doing this, you establish a cybersecurity baseline for your next audit.
Step 3- Accurately Determine Vulnerabilities and Risks
You should then conduct vulnerability scans. This can be done with the help of a cybersecurity consultant and can help you pinpoint weak points, as well as identify outdated software and other access points that attackers may be able to exploit.
Remember, you should rank the risks by severity and likelihood, as this will help you prioritise which areas to correct first.
Step 4- Review Company Compliance and Data Policies
Depending on where you are located, this will differ, but you need to confirm that your business meets the industry and legal data protection standards. If you are in the EU, this will be the GDPR, or, if your company overlaps with healthcare, your data protection will need to be in line with HIPAA rules.
Step 5- Create an Action Plan
When you have noted any vulnerabilities, you need to develop a clear action plan that will address them. This usually involves updating systems and credentials, prioritising fixes for high-risk issues, and making sure that there is a schedule put in place to help back up data.
A cybersecurity audit is not a one-time thing. You will need to keep it going to ensure that you are protecting your business data, as well as having a structured approach in place with regular check-ups. By doing this every quarter, you will save yourself and your business money in the long term, as well as keep all of your customers’ sensitive data safe from hackers.
