Where the Technology Threat Assessment Ends and the IT Audit Begins
When potential clients meet with us to discuss their cybersecurity posture, a common concern emerges they’re not sure if they’re protected. Often, their internal IT staff, or even the IT provider themselves, lack formal cybersecurity training. And that’s perfectly understandable. Cybersecurity isn’t always part of traditional IT responsibilities.
In these initial conversations, we’re frequently asked to conduct an IT audit. But jumping straight to an IT audit is like putting the cart before the horse.
We typically recommend beginning with a Technology Threat Assessment. Why? Because before you evaluate the effectiveness of controls, you need to understand what you’re protecting and what the actual risks are.
What a TTA Does:
- Identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities to your technology assets
- Analyzes the likelihood and impact of those risks on your organization
- Evaluates any existing controls (if any) already in place and
- Produces a clear risk report outlining identified issues, their severity, and recommendations to mitigate them
The TTA is diagnostic. It ends with a comprehensive report that serves as the foundation for improving your security posture.
Then Comes the IT Audit
Once the Technology Threat Assessment has been completed and the recommended actions are implemented, then it’s time for an IT audit. An audit isn’t just a checklist; it’s an independent review that verifies whether those safeguards are actually working as intended.
What an IT Audit Does:
- Evaluates the design and operational effectiveness of the implemented controls
- Tests and verifies systems, policies, and compliance against relevant standards
- Provides assurance that risks are being effectively managed
- Delivers a report with findings, gaps, and any remaining control deficiencies
Summary: Where the Assessment Ends and the Audit Begins
- The Technology Threat Assessment identifies what needs protecting and the threats you’re facing.
- The IT Audit examines how well your implemented controls are mitigating those threats.
In our experience, organizations that follow this process see greater long-term savings and effectiveness compared to trial-and-error investments in security tools and updates.
Interested in learning more or getting pricing for a Technology Threat Assessment? Contact us today to start the conversation!