Several managed security service providers (MSSPs) use the network security audit as a technique or process of delivering their services to businesses. MSSPs extensively examine the client’s IT and Cybersecurity policies, as well as vital assets, to discover possible network security breaches before they become an issue, placing the customer at danger of malicious assaults.
Basic steps included in Network Security Audit:
A network security audit assesses the network for both internal and external security risks by evaluating the entire system, including the physical configuration, system hardware, software, applications, programmes, and other factors. During this procedure, possible hazards are identified and documented in reports to assist in locating the roots of the problems and recommending patch-ups for any unprotected network components.
Identifying Device and Platform
This is the first and most important phase in the Network Security audit. The MSSP does a thorough search of your network for all assets to identify and list. They can also tell you what operating systems are in use. This stage is critical for ensuring that all potential security breaches and threats have been appropriately detected, providing the groundwork for the process’s subsequent steps.
Security Policy Assessment
To secure their essential assets, most firms with a defined IT and security strategy maintain security rules and procedures. MSSP examines your company’s security policies and processes in this stage to see if they meet the international security standards required to successfully secure your technology and information assets from attacks. For example, an access control policy should assure authorised user access to systems and services while preventing unwanted access. MSSP determines who has access to what information and whether or not they require that degree of access and dangers have been correctly recognised, providing the groundwork for the process’s future phases.
Security Architecture Analysis
The Network Security Audit process continues with this stage. The MSSP then examines how the rules have been applied, as well as how the controls and technologies are physically integrated in the system. This is an important stage in comprehending the device and platform identification process in order to present detailed assessments of your company’s current cyber security procedures and protections.
Risk Assessment
This stage is part of the entire risk management and mitigation process, which involves defining threats and vulnerabilities as well as quantifying the associated risks with them. The areas of risk to be handled will be identified depending on the degree of risk, and a risk treatment plan will be prepared for further actions based on the risk assessment results. Control objectives and control techniques are defined for all identified risks, and their implementations are planned by prioritising the fixes from the largest, easiest-to-remedy danger to the smallest, most tough threat. The implementations are expected to be completed in a reasonable amount of time.
Penetration Testing
Pen testing, also known as penetration testing, is a security exercise that acts as a stress test for your network’s security architecture. An MSSP or a company-hired cyber-security specialist seeks to break your security architecture in order to uncover and exploit flaws in your system. The main goal of a simulated assault like this is to find flaws in the system’s defences and address problems that haven’t been detected yet.
Why is Network Security Audit Important?
Network security audits are critical because they enable companies to discover possible threats and security concerns ahead of time, allowing them to build a strategy to address the issues and defend themselves against assaults. It’s not a good idea to take your company’s network’s security or efficiency for granted and leave it to chance. Periodic network security audits are critical for detecting and addressing security issues as well as maximising the performance of your network system. At least once a year, each organisation, large or little, should undertake such an audit.
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