If you’re asking yourself whether you need an IT security audit, the chance is probably yes. Internet security issues change on an almost daily basis. While you don’t need to run an audit every single day, it is essential to do what you can to stay ahead of the cyber threats small businesses are susceptible to. Naturally, some companies are at higher risk than others, but it is best not to roll the dice and hope you’re one that isn’t attacked. When you get down to it, this is what you need to know about a security audit and whether you need one.

All you need to know about IT Security Audit

You will want to start by asking yourself these questions:

1. Is your technology running slow?
2. Do you have new technology?
3. Are your employees adequately trained on security protocols?
4. Have you had an IT security audit performed in the past?

The above questions will help you determine if a security audit is needed. Take a deeper dive into each of the questions below!

Is Your Tech Running Slow?

Have you found yourself slapping that old piece of technology to try and speed it up? Well, first, don’t do that. Outside of Marty McFly banging his head against the steering wheel to start up a stalled time machine, this trick doesn’t work, and it is more likely to cause severe damage. If your tech is runny slowly, it could be a few factors:

1. The computer is corrupted with malware.
2. The software is out of date.
3. You could be running too many applications at once.
4. And countless others.

The software will receive regular patches and updates to keep it running, but eventually, these patches are unable to keep up with modern hardware. And if you have old hardware, this equipment will not have the kind of power to work optimally with the latest and greatest applications out there (have you ever tried to run a modern App on an iPhone that is four or five releases old? It is sluggishly slow).

Old technology also represents a potential hole in your network’s security system. Your network security is only as strong as your weakest link, which means you need to perform an IT security audit to determine if this needs updating or not.

Do You Have New Technology As Well?

Not all problems stem from old technology. Some older devices are tried and true. There’s a reason why people say, “they don’t build it like they used to.” Some new tech can go a long way in improving your productivity and making life more comfortable. However, it can also open your business up to all kinds of outside exposure.

For example, your Internet of Things (IoT) devices (think Smart Home devices) may leave a gaping hole in your security. That smart printer you can control from your phone or the smart light bulbs you can use voice command for are all connected to the Internet. However, these devices are not always protected by your network security. There is a good chance it’s leaving a wide-open Internet window for anyone to crawl through.

You need to close off this window and block out whatever is on the outside. Trust us, you don’t want to be the business that lost thousands of credit card numbers because someone hacked your business via the smart fridge (it’s happened before).

The best way to know whether or not this technology is protected, and your business is safe is to perform an IT security audit. As long as you do this and you are safe, you will be able to avoid security loopholes in your network.

Are your employees adequately trained on security protocols?

More often than not, most security breaches do not come from smart devices or dated technology. It comes from how employees use technology. One simple, small mistake can give outside threats a free ride inside your network. Once inside, it is challenging to push everything back out.

The problem is you might not know what to tell your employees to do or not do. You don’t want to go overboard, but you also want to protect your business. With an IT security audit, a professional IT technician can perform the security audit and also go over what needs to be done with employee access. They can discuss with you what needs to change and the best ways to go about doing this. They can also present the information to your team if you would rather have it come from an IT professional’s mouth. But an IT security audit doesn’t just begin and end with the technology your business has. It also includes the people you employ.

Have you had an IT security audit performed in the past?

This is a pretty easy one to answer. Have you had a professional IT security audit performed in the past? If so, have you listened to all the advice? Hopefully, you have. Far too many businesses wave their hands at some information and assume they are too small for security threats. The truth of the matter is cyber criminals often hack into small businesses because the network security is easier to hack. When you don’t have safeguards in place you might not even realize you’ve been hit for weeks, if not months, and by then the damage has been done.

If you haven’t had a security audit performed on your network before? Well it is time to take matters into your own hands and schedule one. Like having a full inspection of your vehicle to make sure it is in tip-top shape, you need to understand the overall health of your company’s network health and then what needs to be done to improve it.

Take Care Of Your Business IT Security Needs

To know whether your business is up to snuff regarding network security or not, you’ll first need to perform an audit. By bringing in an outside IT professional, you’ll have someone who knows the industry and who can poke holes in your security system. From here, you can then move at correcting the weaknesses and improving network security.

Charlotte IT Solutions is here for you, no matter what the security needs are of your business. So whether you are a small operation or a multi-billion dollar company, Charlotte IT Solutions is here for you. All you need to do is give the company a call or email them at your earliest convenience.