{"id":4735,"date":"2024-04-01T09:13:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T09:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mintivo.co.uk\/?p=4735"},"modified":"2024-03-15T16:24:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T16:24:57","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-a-risk-assessment-and-an-it-security-audit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintivo.co.uk\/news\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-risk-assessment-and-an-it-security-audit\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference Between a Risk Assessment and an IT Security Audit?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Terms such as assessment and audits are sometimes used interchangeably, however it is important to understand the differences. Generally speaking, an assessment is an internal check on how a company operates. It can be carried out against a simple list of what\u2019s important to the company\u2019s management team, or made against a more comprehensive, external set of parameters, perhaps in readiness for an external audit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An IT security audit<\/a>, on the other hand, is usually a more in-depth assessment to measure how well an organisation is meeting a set of external standards or regulations. An audit will most often be completed by experts in the field of assessment, such as Mintivo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When considering an IT risk assessment, it is usual to review hardware, software and storage solutions together with how your team is using these systems and how security threats are being identified. An IT security audit, however, would assess not only that security measures are in place \u2013 controls, policies and procedures – but also check they are being fully complied with, and ensure the business response would be effective in the event of an actual security attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is it important to undertake a Risk Assessment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Assessments will identify areas of security weaknesses within your operation. By undertaking a range of measures to analyse risk and the compliance (or lack of) to current operational procedures, rules and security training, you will have a good idea of how secure your operation is and how effective it might be when an IT security breach occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annual or bi-annual IT security assessments are recommended and can be carried out using a number of methods. Assessments should also be undertaken following any large-scale changes to the structure of a business to identify whether any new risk factors have arisen. Ideally, plans will have included any impacts to IT infrastructure security, but an assessment post-change will confirm that all bases were covered within the plan and ensure any rectification is carried out in a timely manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggestions of suitable methods to carry out an internal risk assessment include surveys, interviews and comparison with external standards and best practices. Internal risk assessments tend to be high-level overviews, possibly studying statistics and comparisons to previous reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT security assessments are suggested before an external audit. This will allows you to make amendments to procedures and remedy any vulnerabilities identified. It will give your organisation the best chance of passing the external audit and achieving, for example, the widely recognised Cyber Essentials accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the benefits of having an IT risk assessment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By undertaking a \u2018top level\u2019 assessment, you are likely to see benefits in the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identify Specific Risks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n