what is a security audit

A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of an organizations information system by measuring how well it conforms to an established set of criteria. It is an independent review and examination of system records, activities, and related documents. The audit typically assesses the security of the systems physical configuration and environment, software, information handling processes, and user practices. Security audits are often used to determine compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the California Security Breach Information Act that specify how organizations must deal with information. There are multiple types of security audits, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. The purpose of a security audit is to improve the level of information security, avoid improper information security designs, and optimize the efficiency of the security safeguards and security processes. Regular security audits will paint a clear picture of an organizations cybersecurity risk environment and preparation level for security threats like social engineering attacks and security vulnerabilities.