What is an information security audit?

At TecnetOne, we understand how important it is for any company to operate with the peace of mind that its information is secure. Today, virtually everything runs through systems, networks, and digital platforms, which increases risks if there’s no clear security strategy in place.

That’s why an information security audit has become a key tool. It helps you understand where you stand, how well your infrastructure is protected, and what can be improved. It identifies vulnerabilities, helps strengthen your systems, and, most importantly, gives you the confidence that your operations are protected against potential threats.

Information Security Audit: What Is It?

An information security audit, also known as a cybersecurity audit, is essentially a thorough review conducted within companies to assess how well-protected their systems, networks, internet access points, and security policies really are. But it’s not just about checking if everything appears to be “in order”—it’s about understanding whether protective measures are truly being applied and whether staff are following them correctly.

These audits can take various forms. Some are highly technical, where cybersecurity specialists run tests to detect vulnerabilities in servers, applications, or networks. Others take a more formal approach, such as the audits required for compliance with well-known certifications like ISO 27001 or PCI-DSS, which involve reviewing specific controls mandated by these standards.

There are also internal or external audits that help verify whether security controls are actually functioning as intended, and whether there are weaknesses that need to be addressed. All of this provides a clear picture of how well-protected the company is against threats.

At the end of the audit, a full report is delivered. This report details the equipment, servers, and applications evaluated, the level of compliance with internal security policies, the effectiveness of the current protection systems, and—very importantly—any gaps or vulnerabilities that were identified during the process.

Why Conduct a Security Audit in Your Company?

Conducting an information security audit isn’t something reserved for large corporations. Nowadays, nearly every business—regardless of size or industry—relies on technology to operate: from computers and networks to cloud services, corporate emails, and remote access. That’s why regularly reviewing how protected your tech infrastructure is isn’t just advisable—it’s necessary.

Here are some of the main benefits of performing a security audit in your company:

1. Improves internal controls: It allows you to review and strengthen existing security policies within the organization.

2. Identifies weaknesses and failures: It uncovers errors, omissions, or misconfigurations that could be exploited by attackers.

3. Helps prevent unauthorized access or internal fraud: Such as misuse of information or system access without proper permissions.

4. Eliminates vulnerable points: In websites, email accounts, internal networks, or remote access points.

5. Controls who has access to what: It evaluates both physical and digital access levels to ensure each user only has the necessary permissions.

6. Keeps your systems updated: Many vulnerabilities stem from outdated software, and an audit helps detect and fix this in time.

Phases of an Information Security Audit: How Is It Actually Carried Out?

While there are different types of information security audits, most follow a structured process that can be divided into four key stages. Each phase has its own purpose and importance within the overall analysis, and together, they provide a clear picture of how security is functioning in an organization and what can be improved.

Below, we explain each of these phases in simple terms:

1. Defining Objectives and Planning

Everything starts with proper planning. In this initial stage, the goals of the audit are defined—what will be evaluated, who will be involved, and what tools will be used. The scope of the analysis is also established, meaning whether all systems will be reviewed or only specific ones.

Some key elements defined at this stage include:

1. The general purpose of the audit (e.g., to comply with a standard, improve internal security, etc.).

2. Which systems, processes, or areas will be audited.

3. The criteria or standards that will serve as a reference (such as ISO 27001, NIST, PCI-DSS, etc.).

4. The methodology to be applied (interviews, technical analysis, document review, etc.).

5. The team responsible for conducting the audit.

6. The schedule, available resources, and necessary tools.

In short, this phase is like creating the roadmap—without proper planning, the rest of the process can lose focus or effectiveness.

2. Information Gathering

Once everything is defined, it’s time to collect information. This is when the actual state of the company’s technological infrastructure is examined: systems, security policies, processes, and more.

Various sources can be used for this stage, including:

1. Technical documentation (manuals, internal policies, activity logs).

2. Results from previous tests or security scans.

3. Interviews with IT and cybersecurity personnel.

4. Review of access controls, configurations, and permissions.

The goal of this stage is to gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of how systems are configured and what risks may exist—both technical and organizational.

3. Information Analysis

With all the data gathered, the most critical part begins: analyzing the information to identify weaknesses, risks, security gaps, or failures.

Here, the infrastructure is examined in depth: hardware, software, networks, access controls, applications, databases, and any other elements that could pose a threat if not properly secured.

Additionally, it’s assessed how well the security policies are being applied and whether there’s a gap between what is documented and what is actually practiced.

Various tools and techniques may be used in this analysis, such as:

1. Vulnerability scans.

2. Attack simulations (penetration testing).

3. Interviews and questionnaires.

4. Direct observation of the work environment.

The outcome of this phase is a clear list of findings, which will form the foundation of the final report and recommendations.

4. Preparing the Audit Report

Once the analysis is complete, the audit report is prepared. This report summarizes everything that was found and proposes the necessary actions to improve security.

This document should be clear, objective, and well-supported. Its purpose is not only to point out what’s wrong but also to propose concrete solutions to reduce identified risks.

The report typically includes:

1. An introduction outlining the audit’s purpose and scope.

2. The methodology used.

3. Findings and detected vulnerabilities.

4. The risk level associated with each finding.

5. Specific recommendations to resolve or mitigate the issues.

6. General conclusions about the organization's security status.

Ideally, the report should be directed not only to technical staff or specialists but also to business leaders and decision-makers. Therefore, it must be written in clear language, avoiding unnecessary jargon, while maintaining professional rigor.

Read more: What is Pentesting in Cybersecurity?

Types of Information Security Audits: Which One Does Your Company Need?

When it comes to information security audits, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, there are different types of audits, each with specific objectives depending on what needs to be evaluated, validated, or investigated. From highly technical analyses to strategic compliance reviews, each type plays a crucial role in an effective cybersecurity strategy.

Internal and External Audits

This classification depends on who performs the audit.

1. Internal audits are conducted by the company’s own team, typically the IT or cybersecurity department. They may receive support or advice from external experts like TecnetOne, but the process is managed internally.

2. External audits are carried out by a specialized company that is independent of the organization. These audits bring objectivity, impartiality, and a broader perspective since external auditors aren’t influenced by internal dynamics.

Technical Audits

This type of audit focuses on specific technical aspects of a company’s IT infrastructure. The main goal is to analyze systems, processes, or platforms to uncover vulnerabilities or compliance issues.

Some examples of technical audits include:

1. Regulatory compliance reviews, which verify whether the company adheres to standards like ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, or GDPR.

2. Security policy assessments, which check if daily practices align with established policies.

3. System configuration analyses, aimed at identifying misconfigurations that could be exploited by attackers.

These audits are highly detailed and geared toward uncovering weaknesses that might be missed in broader reviews.

Audits Based on Their Objective

Another way to classify security audits is by their specific goal. Here are some of the most common:

Website Audit

Focused on evaluating the security of websites, eCommerce platforms, and web applications. The goal is to find vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit, such as SQL injections, malicious scripts, or configuration errors.

Ideal if you handle sensitive customer data, conduct online transactions, or have contact or registration forms.

Forensic Audit

This type of audit is conducted after a security incident. Its purpose is to investigate what happened, how the breach occurred, which systems were compromised, what information was affected, and why it wasn’t prevented.

It’s essential for learning from the attack, fixing the flaws, and strengthening systems to prevent future incidents.

Network Audit

Evaluates the status and security of the company’s network infrastructure: internal connections, VPNs, Wi-Fi networks, firewalls, antivirus tools, routers, switches, and more. It helps identify unprotected entry points, weak configurations, or unmanaged devices.

Access Control Audit

Focused on how physical and digital access is managed within the organization. This includes everything from security cameras and biometric systems to access control software and user permissions. It's key to preventing unauthorized access to sensitive areas or critical information.

Ethical Hacking or Penetration Testing

Also known as pentesting, this is a controlled simulation of an external attack. In other words, a cybersecurity expert (an ethical hacker) is hired to try and breach the company’s systems as if they were a real cybercriminal.

The goal is to test current defenses, identify weaknesses, and determine how well the company is prepared for a real-world attack.

Read more: How to Integrate Pentesting into a Cybersecurity Strategy

What Type of Audit Does Your Company Need?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your company’s context, goals, and the current state of its technological infrastructure.

1. Never done an audit before? Then you probably need a general technical audit or a full external assessment.

2. Looking to comply with a standard or certification? A compliance audit is the right choice.

3. Experienced a security incident? A forensic audit will help you understand what happened.

4. Running an online store or app? A web audit is essential.

5. Want to know if your systems could withstand a real attack? Try a penetration test or ethical hacking.

The key is not to leave this matter to chance. Information security audits are an investment in prevention and protection that can help you avoid much bigger problems down the road.

Today, companies are legally required to protect the personal data they handle. This includes conducting risk assessments, applying security measures, and reporting any breaches. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to penalties and damage your customers’ trust.

A great way to prevent these risks is through an information security audit, which allows you to assess your current protection level and identify potential flaws before they become serious issues.

At TecnetOne, we help companies strengthen their cybersecurity through services like technical audits, penetration testing (pentesting), and compliance assessments. That way, you not only avoid penalties but also enhance the security and control of your systems.

Want to find out how secure your company really is? At TecnetOne, we’ll help you discover it.