Answer Posted / sanjay kshirsagar
A computer security audit is a manual or systematic
measurable technical assessment of a system or application.
Manual assessments include interviewing staff, performing
security vulnerability scans, reviewing application and
operating system access controls, and analyzing physical
access to the systems. Automated assessments, or CAAT's,
include system generated audit reports or using software to
monitor and report changes to files and settings on a
system. Systems can include personal computers, servers,
mainframes, network routers, switches. Applications can
include Web Services, Microsoft Project Central, Oracle
Database.
THE BENEFITS OF A COMPUTER AUDIT ARE:
Business efficiency – companies are required by company law
to safeguard assets by instituting effective internal
controls. Computer audit would not only meet this
requirement but would give you the facts you need to make
important decisions.
Security – computer audit would reinforce your company’s
attitude to risk. Thousand of pounds are invested in
computers (PCs, workstations, laptops, scanners, etc) it
pays to be prudent by mitigating loss, whether by theft,
fire or otherwise.
The fact that your company has a computer audit policy and
that it is taken seriously acts as a deterrent. This is
further reinforced when security measures, such
as “electronic tagging”, bar coding, permanent fixing or
similar measures are employed.
Having documented records of your computer assets aid your
claim for loss under your company’s insurance policy. The
existence of reliable records aids the process.
Standardisation – a computer audit promotes a standardised
purchasing policy. What could be more practical than
applying a purchasing policy that not only saves money but
also reinforces values, such as brand, efficiency and time?
Don’t assume that all computer equipment comes with quality
parts and that they are subject to the same quality control
standards. Likewise, not all retailers give the same
guarantee! This is where a computer audit could provide
valuable information.
Asset tracking – at the point where computer equipment
arrives in the company they should be tagged to aid
tracking, accounting and ultimately, control against loss.
If these assets are not tracked or traceable, they could
easily disappear from the company. A computer audit would
capture all computing equipment, whether they are included
on the asset register or not.
Asset replacement policy – computer audit assists your
replacement policy by identifying ageing assets that
present potential operational risk to your business. Your
accounting policy may provide for non-capitalisation or
write off over two to four years, however computers will be
used until they are incapable of being sustained.
Such a policy does not help your company in maximising
efficiency and productivity. This plays into your
competitor’s hands, surrendering to them your competitive
advantage. If your business relies on latest technology,
it’s imperative that obsolete computers are systematically
identified and replaced.
Accounting – computer audit will ensure the completeness of
your fixed asset register and the accounting transactions
that are processed in your ledgers.
Cost control – computer audit aids the budgeting and timely
replacement of computer equipment. It reduces substantially
the guesswork in constructing the relevant capital
expenditure budget.
Competitive advantage – whether being the quickest to
market, having the latest technology or efficient processes
is what sets you apart from your competitors it is
essential that you make computer audit an essential company
tool. Factors that contribute to maintaining competitive
advantage cannot be ignored and a Finance Director or IT
Manager would be grossly negligent in failing to have
answers on this important matter.
THE AUDIT PROCESS
At our initial meeting we ascertain your exact needs and
describe how we can meet them. An agreement setting out
terms and conditions is then agreed. It could not be
simpler! You’ll never again have to worry about your
investment in computers and whether your competitors have
the technological edge over you.
We will advise on whether the specification of your
computers (operating systems, processors, storage capacity)
and security measures are adequate for your operational
needs. Furthermore, we can dispose of all obsolete
equipment, advise on the purchase of new equipment and
arrange procurement and full installation
| Is This Answer Correct ? | 18 Yes | 9 No |
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