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The average cost of a data breach has reached nearly $5 million, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025. The only way for an organization to ensure the protection of its data and infrastructure is to conduct a security audit. This infographic will explain how to conduct a cybersecurity audit, including the steps in the process, the benefits of performing audits, and some tips.

To learn more, check out the infographic created by The University of Tulsa’s online Master of Science (M.S.) in Cyber Security.

What Is a Security Audit?

A cybersecurity audit is a systematic evaluation of an organization’s information technology (IT) systems to identify vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. Organizations conduct audits to ensure compliance with all general and industry-specific regulations.

Audits have several important components, including:

• Broad evaluation of the IT ecosystem, covering software, hardware, network infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity framework, data backup and storage, and tools

• Methodical assessment to identify risks and verify compliance

• Report and recommendations to provide actionable steps to safeguard data

Organizations should audit their security vulnerabilities, compliance risks, and ability to continue operating in the event of a cyber attack, a natural disaster, or another threat.

Conducting a Security Audit

Cybersecurity experts must ensure that the security audit detects all vulnerabilities within the systems.

Auditors can assess the following controls to ensure that the organization is as resilient as possible:

• Access
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) of key accounts
  • Permissions
  • Inactive accounts
• Network security
  • Virtual private networks (VPNs)
  • Intrusion detection
  • Firewalls
• Data encryption
  • Database encryption
  • Email encryption
• Endpoints
  • Smart devices
  • Laptops
  • Mobile phones
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Servers
• Response strategy
  • Response plans
  • Escalation processes
  • Response time

Security Audit Steps

Auditors can take the following steps to check these components effectively:

Make a Plan

Determine which systems, processes, and assets to check, and decide whether to concentrate on identifying risks, identifying compliance failures, or both. Collaborate with the legal, operations, and IT departments to agree on priorities.

Collect Information

Gather network logs, configurations, and access permissions. Consult with relevant employees on processes to uncover vulnerabilities, and review security policies and priorities against business goals.

Rank Risks

Use the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) to evaluate the severity of each security issue. Prioritize external and customer-facing weaknesses and promptly remediate known and zero-day vulnerabilities.

Create a Report

Compile the audit results and create a grid highlighting key vulnerabilities. Develop a detailed plan for remediating the problems.

Prioritize and Remediate

Convene interested parties to validate remediation priorities. Adjust the plan as needed and continue auditing regularly.

Cybersecurity Audit Benefits and Tips

For organizations to realize maximum benefits from cybersecurity audits, repetition is key.

Benefits of Conducting Regular Audits

• Maintaining compliance

  Regulations change frequently, and being out of compliance can result in fines and a loss of customer trust. Noncompliance added $237,118 to the average cost of a data breach. Ongoing audits that include assessing regulatory changes ensure that businesses remain compliant.

• Fortified security

  Proactively searching for threats reduced the average cost of a security breach by $219,074. Searching for vulnerabilities as part of an audit allows security teams to address them before a cyber attacker finds them.

• Business continuity

  A total of 70% of businesses that experienced a breach said it caused a significant or very significant business disruption. Regular security audits minimize the risk of a breach and its associated operational disruptions.

Tips for Conducting a Security Audit

• Improve employees’ security awareness to reduce internal threats, both intentional and accidental. Employee training is the most important factor in reducing the cost of a breach.

• Create a thorough response plan that includes more than just technology.

  • Ensure that teams are familiar with all security tools and procedures.

  • Clearly designate roles and responsibilities.

  • Establish explicit communication processes.

  • Reiterate the organization’s obligations to comply with regulations regarding data breaches.

• Regularly update the response plan to keep up with the changing threat landscape.

  • Conduct scheduled plan reviews.

  • Stage mock incidents to test the plan.

  • Adjust the plan to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Cybersecurity Audit Best Practices

• Create a security team and train all team members well.

• Perform audits regularly and after system changes, including testing changes made in response to the previous audit.

• Catalog and prioritize all data and assets.

• Use 24/7 system monitoring.

• Seek outside auditor support.

• Use artificial intelligence (AI) security tools.

• Reinforce the security team’s training.

• Develop clear lines of communication inside the team and with interested parties.

• Maintain broad records for future use, including demonstrating regulatory compliance.

Protect Data With Security Audits

The $5 million cost and reputational damage of the average data breach would be significant for any organization. Fortunately, there’s a way for organizations to mitigate the risk of a breach and reduce the cost if one does occur. Regular cybersecurity audits not only catch vulnerabilities before they’re exploited but also create a culture of compliance, further reducing security risks.

Sources

IBM, Cost of a Data Breach 2025

SentinelOne, What Is a Security Audit? Importance and Best Practices

SentinelOne, Vulnerability Remediation: Step-by-Step Guide

Version2, “Avoid These Mistakes to Build a Strong Incident Response Plan”

Version2, “Optimizing Your Business with the Right IT Infrastructure Components”