Cyber attacks pose a significant threat to every US business, no matter which industry you operate in. One of the most effective ways to protect your company's mission-critical data is to ensure you have a robust cybersecurity plan in place – that's where security auditors come in. Below, we summarize what security auditors do and how they can benefit your business.  

What Is a Security Auditor?

A security auditor works with businesses to provide objective, unbiased audits of the company's IT infrastructure. While every audit is tailored to a specific business, typically, security audits are designed to:

• Outline the existing IT network and security systems  
• Assess the firm's compliance with industry standards 
• Identify any system vulnerabilities or security weaknesses
• Educate employees on good security practices
• Advise the company how to correct deficiencies and improve regulatory compliance 

In other words, security audits give you a roadmap for improving your resilience to external and insider cyber threats. Specifically, though, here are three key reasons why hiring an auditor can benefit your company in the short and long term.    

1. Understand Your Starting Point

You can't improve your security resilience without knowing your starting point. One of the key benefits of a security audit is gaining a clear picture of your existing infrastructure so you can set goals for improvement.

Specifically, a security audit highlights how data flows within your organization, meaning:

• Who has access to confidential data 
• How data is shared between personnel
• What systems you have in place for safeguarding data 

By learning how data is shared within your company, you can easily determine whether you're meeting your compliance requirements.  

2. Identify System Vulnerabilities 

Every system is vulnerable. A security audit will identify any potential flaws in your system – such as security conflicts, hardware malfunctions, and outdated software – so you can decide how to strengthen these weaknesses before they cause financial and reputation damage.

What's more, once you have an audit report to refer to, you can carefully weigh up the costs and benefits of any recommendations to determine how they align with your short and long-term business goals.  

3. Benefit from Training and Guidance

Employee education should be part of any well-constructed cybersecurity plan. With a security audit, you can spot potential gaps in staff knowledge so you can:

• Identify what additional support they will require
• Devise a plan for ensuring staff cyber readiness 

At The Baran Agency, we see staff education as a long-term investment in the success and stability of any business. Our specialists offer virtual and on-site training for your employees so you can remedy any knowledge gaps identified in your security audit before they damage your business.  

Improve Your Cybersecurity | The Baran Agency

As cyber criminals become increasingly more sophisticated, it's more important than ever for businesses in every sector across the US to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. The good news is that the security professionals at The Baran Agency can help you achieve your mission. With advice and guidance from our expert team, you can identify your company's security IT vulnerabilities and devise a plan for correcting any deficiencies – all without breaking your budget.

If you wish to bolster your company's cybersecurity and meet your compliance obligations, let The Baran Agency help. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.