Are you fully aware of your company’s security risks? Do you know if you have adequate protection against cyber threats? Are you confident that you comply with all applicable security regulations?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it's crucial to prioritize cybersecurity and implement regular IT audits to identify and address security vulnerabilities. Learn more about this process below.
What Is an IT Audit?
An IT audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your IT infrastructure. Its purpose is to ensure that all systems and solutions are functioning correctly, management and operations align with best practices and regulatory requirements, and data is collected, used, and protected appropriately.
Specifically, Integrated Technology Systems process includes:
- Evaluating hardware and software to ensure efficiency and identify upgrade opportunities.
- Assessing system performance and capacity to pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Conducting compliance checks to ensure adherence to regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SEC rules, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
- Confirming IT process documentation to ensure completeness, compliance, and currency.
Regular IT audits also address security by identifying vulnerabilities or loopholes that cybercriminals could exploit.
Benefits of Regular IT Audits
A thorough IT audit is an essential risk management tool. Just like regular health check-ups catch minor issues before they become major problems, IT audits help identify small issues before they escalate into significant and costly headaches.
The audit process involves planning, data gathering, and analysis. The insights gained lead to recommendations for improvement and guide future action plans. While time-consuming, this process offers numerous benefits to your business.
A More Secure IT Environment
Security audits protect your business from malware, data breaches, and other threats by evaluating logical and physical security, data integrity, incident management procedures, and more, ensuring comprehensive threat mitigation.
Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings
IT audits highlight areas for improvement, boosting productivity and efficiency and ultimately saving money. A detailed infrastructure review may reveal automation opportunities or processes that could benefit from streamlining.
Enhanced Compliance
Regular IT audits help you stay updated on evolving compliance and industry standards. Prioritizing compliance enhances stakeholder trust and strengthens your company’s reputation.
Strategic Planning
Insights from an Integrated Technology Systems comprehensive IT audits support strategic planning for your company’s future. You can plan investments in equipment or capabilities that align with your growth goals and future expansion.
Implementing a regular IT audit program keeps your business running smoothly and prepares you for future challenges. Give Integrated Technology Systems a call today to ensure the safety of your company data.
The Importance of Security Awareness for Employees
Consider the sensitive information your competitors or hackers would love to access. From identity theft to ransomware attacks, a little security awareness can save your business significant trouble. An educated employee can prevent a security breach by hesitating before clicking a suspicious link.
Is Your Business Cybersecurity Aware?
Businesses of all sizes need robust online defenses, from firewalls and encrypted software to strong passwords and password managers. However, all these measures can be undone if a single employee unknowingly shares sensitive information with the wrong person.
Security breaches exploit company or customer data, such as credit card information and addresses, damaging your reputation and profits. Humans are fallible, and hackers constantly evolve their tactics. Cybersecurity awareness training can enhance your defense strategy.
Empower Your Employees with Cybersecurity Awareness Training
According to Verizon, about 68% of breaches in 2023 involved a non-malicious human element. In ransomware cases, each breach cost companies an average of $46,000. Notably, eight out of nine affected companies lacked a cybersecurity awareness program.
Effective security awareness training might include:
- Educational scripted videos.
- Generic presentations on typical company software.
- Cyber tests to update employees on modern attacks and threats.
- Updating training topics to reflect current threat trends is also essential.
Benefits of Digital Security Training
Adding a layer of security through employee empowerment helps your business recognize and thwart cyber threats. Here are a few benefits:
Prevent Data Breaches from Malicious Activity
Trained employees can identify and avoid phishing attempts, suspicious links, and faux login pages, protecting sensitive data from hackers.
Strengthen Cyber Defenses
Awareness training enhances observation skills and understanding of protocols, creating a stronger defense line with better passwords and multi-step authentication. It can also help ensure compliance with GDPR and HIPAA, preventing threats before they arise.
Boost Business by Reassuring Customers
Research from Vercara in 2023 showed that 66% of customers wouldn’t do further business with a company after a data breach. Customers who believe a company lacks adequate cybersecurity are less likely to trust it. Security awareness training helps develop a culture of safety and security, reducing human risk and reassuring customers.
By fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, your business can mitigate risks and build trust with your customers, ensuring long-term success. Integrated Technology Systems is here to assist with training and cyber awareness threats. Give us a call.
Integrated Technology Systems
6 East 45th Street, Suite 400
New York, NY 10017
212-750-5420
https://www.itsnyc.com
