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MyInfoTechJournal: Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: The Ultimate Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for Thriving in Any Situation (Part 3 of 3: EXAMPLE)

MyInfoTechJournal: Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: The Ultimate Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for Thriving in Any Situation  (Part 3 of 3: EXAMPLE)
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Playbook for Conducting a Comprehensive IT Infrastructure Audit

Playbook for Conducting a Comprehensive IT Infrastructure Audit


An IT Infrastructure Audit is a comprehensive assessment of the technology systems, processes, and controls that an organization has in place to support its operations. 


Here's a playbook for Auditing IT Infrastructure:


1.  Establish the Scope

Define the scope of the audit, including the technology systems, processes, and controls that will be evaluated. 

Consider the criticality and sensitivity of the systems being audited.


2.  Review Policies and Procedures

Review the organization's policies and procedures related to IT, including security, data management, disaster recovery, and business continuity. 

Determine whether they align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.


3.  Evaluate Physical Security

Evaluate physical security controls, such as access controls, visitor management, and environmental controls, to determine whether they are effective.


4.  Assess Network Infrastructure

Assess the organization's network infrastructure, including the design, architecture, and configuration of routers, switches, firewalls, and other devices. Evaluate whether the network is secure, resilient, and scalable.


5.  Evaluate System Security

Evaluate the security controls of the organization's systems, including servers, workstations, and other endpoints. 

Evaluate whether security controls are in place to protect against malware, unauthorized access, and data breaches.


6.  Review Data Management 

Review the organization's data management practices, including data classification, storage, and retention policies. 

Determine whether data is protected against loss, corruption, and unauthorized access.


7.  Assess Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Assess the organization's disaster recovery and business continuity plans to determine whether they are effective and can ensure the continuity of operations in the event of a disruption.


8.  Review Third-Party Contracts

Review contracts with third-party vendors to determine whether the organization has proper controls in place to ensure the security and confidentiality of data shared with them.


9.  Evaluate compliance

Evaluate the organization's compliance with relevant regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR. 

Determine whether the organization is taking appropriate steps to maintain compliance.


10.  Prepare audit report

Prepare a comprehensive report that includes the findings of the audit, recommendations for improvement, and a risk assessment. 

The report should be presented to management for review and action.


11.  Follow up

Follow up with management to ensure that the recommendations for improvement have been implemented and are effective. 

Conduct periodic reviews to ensure ongoing compliance and security.


In summary, an IT Infrastructure Audit is a complex undertaking that requires a thorough and detailed approach. 


By following this playbook, you can ensure that the audit is comprehensive and effective, and that the organization's IT infrastructure is secure, resilient, and compliant with relevant regulations.


Disclaimer 

This article is a result of my personal research and is not a substitute for legal advice. Please consult your Information Security Team, Legal Team, Ethics & Compliance, or Regulatory Team for the interpretation of  specific Information Security requirements.




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