What is a Network Security Audit & Why Do I Need One?

You may think that your network is as secure as it can be, but without a formal audit you can never know for sure.

As a business owner, you know that data security is one of your most vital concerns. A single data breach could erode the trust of your customers, and  repeated breaches could subject you to fines or even put you out of business.

As a result, you have already taken steps to lock down your network, from requiring strong and unique passwords and frequent password changes to installing firewalls and security software to keep the bad guys at bay. While these are all crucial steps to cyber security, they may not be enough to safeguard your network infrastructure and the massive amounts of proprietary and customer data it contains.

You may think that your network is as secure as it can be, but without a formal audit you can never know for sure. A network security audit is an important next step and the sooner you conduct one, the better off you and your business will be.

What is a Network Security Audit?

A network security audit, or network security assessment, is a formalized process that carefully evaluates the entire data infrastructure. During the process, we may uncover previously unknown vulnerabilities or weak spots and will address and each one once we complete the formal assessment.

This assessment will include a list of recommendations to be followed up on, either by internal IT staff, the organization that conducted the audit, or by an outside managed IT service provider. There also may be a follow up audit to ensure that all the identified vulnerabilities have been adequately addressed.

The Many Benefits of a Network Security Audit

Subjecting your network infrastructure to a formal security assessment may seem like a cumbersome process, but the benefits make it more than worthwhile. If you are running your business and simply hoping for the best, it is only a matter of time until a ransomware demand, hacker attack or security breach comes your way. These threats are not going away; if anything they are getting worse, and you cannot afford to fly blind in such a dangerous environment. 

If you have not yet conducted a formal network security audit of your network, now is the time to get started. Here are some of the benefits:

• Regulatory compliance - Some businesses, including those operating in the governmental or healthcare space, may be required to undergo regular network security assessments and intrusion detection testing. If you're in New York, you'll need to comply with the recently-enacted SHIELD Act.

• Finding hidden vulnerabilities - Even if you have secured your network against all known threats, there may be other dangers hidden in plain sight. A network security audit can uncover those previously unknown vulnerabilities and address them.

• Enhancing the security of cloud storage accounts - If your business has moved to the cloud, conducting a formal network security assessment can enhance the value and safety of stored files.

• Strike a balance between top security and easy access for employees - Finding the right balance between network security and usability is no easy task, but a professional network assessment can help a lot.

• Take advantage of specific expertise - You are an expert at running your business, but you are probably not a tech guru. When you schedule a network security assessment, you gain access to the specific expertise needed to keep you and your data safe.
  
• Employee education - The members of your staff should be the first line of defense in your cyber security strategy, not the weakest links in the chain. Investing in a formal network security assessment and cyber security awareness training in our Cyber Security Package  is a great way to educate workers on the value of data protection and their vital role in the process.

By conducting a formal data security assessment, you can decrease the odds of a data breach, educate your workers on the growing dangers and shore up your cyber defenses. If you have not yet conducted such an audit, now is the time to reach out to us at Bit by Bit to get started.