Security audits can often be seen as this frightening beast that puts businesses on edge. Although they seem quite daunting, these check marks exist to help improve a company’s overall security posture. Identifying weaknesses that range from technical implementation to human error can provide a roadmap to proper compliance. But wait, can’t security assessments do the same thing?
Audits vs. Assessments
The distinction between an audit and an assessment can have nuanced differences depending on the person or organization. Although some organizations may see audits and assessments as virtually the same thing, others may associate one as more stringent than the other. Our partners at WebCheck Security differentiated an audit as “a cold checkbox activity gauging compliance against a standard or framework” while assessments implied “a more friendly outcome related to where are we today and how do we improve?”
In this context, audits are often gauged against popular security frameworks, such as NIST or CIS 20. These frameworks are used to ensure that companies are compliant against all of the outlined requirements. Conversely, assessments may use these same frameworks to help identify any weaknesses within an organization’s system infrastructure to propose roadmaps toward improvement. Working with an experienced CISO through these assessments can also provide recommendations that are customized to the business’s unique environment. The overall goal is to collaborate with a company to implement reasonable measures that address potentially hazardous security issues.
Partners In Compliance
Some of the services that MSPs provide can help businesses check off several of those audit boxes, but it is important to understand how far these capabilities can go and what gaps exist. If your current MSP provides anti-virus software, Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions and other sources of end-point security in their packages, these products can align with certain security frameworks. However, in order to ensure that an organization can successfully clear a security audit, it is best to consult with a dedicated Cyber Security services company that can work closely among organizations and their IT providers. Check out our partners at WebCheck Security to see how they can help with your next audit!
Stay A Step Ahead before, during and after your Security Audit
Even if companies don’t have a huge audit in the near future, it is never too early to get an assessment done! It’s better to stay one step ahead of a potential security incident rather than remediating weaknesses after the fact — an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For the next few weeks of October, Interlaced is offering a free IT security assessment for local companies. Don’t wait until it’s too late, security matters!
No matter what the scale, networks involve interconnected switches, routers, and devices. Although businesses may vary in size and technological implementation, the presence of robust network security features should apply to everyone. From small office/home office (SOHO) configurations to enterprise-level networks, security should be one of the top priorities. So, how important is network security?
To learn more about how Interlaced can help your business with simplified security, scalable architecture, and easy user management, visit www.interlaced.io/contact, or email us at business@interlaced.io today!
