IT Audits
Audits are a critical component of the regulatory compliance process. In general, it is the auditors who will determine whether your organization is in compliance with the regulations and standards that it must address. For example, in regard to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), external auditors will often determine the adequacy of the internal controls in your organization as part of the audit in relation to annual financial reporting. Understanding how the audit process works and how auditors operate is important because it informs IT managers how to establish an environment that is compliant and easy to audit.

It is important to understand what auditors look for during a compliance audit. During the audit, the auditors look for evidence that indicates:

  • The organization has designed effective controls to address their compliance requirements and that there are no design deficiencies.
  • The organization consistently applies the controls they have designed and that there are no operational deficiencies.

If the auditors do not find evidence of an effective control program, or they find that the organization is not adhering to the control program, they note these deficiencies in their final audit report. This audit report is generally provided to the organization’s audit committee so that identified issues get the appropriate level of management exposure. Obviously, it is preferable that there be no deficiencies noted in this report.

Additional information may be found here:

DNA IT Solutions uses leading tools to measure your business effectiveness in meeting the above compliance requirements and advise as necessary.