Cyberattacks are more relentless and expensive than ever. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report, the average breach now costs organizations $4.45 million, a 15% increase over the last three years. For managed service providers (MSPs) and IT teams, performing a regular IT security audit is one of the most effective ways to identify vulnerabilities, validate controls, and stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.
In this blog, we’ll break down what an IT security audit involves, how to conduct one step by step, and which tools and frameworks can help you streamline the process. You’ll also learn how often to run audits, which events should trigger one, and what common mistakes to avoid, so your team or clients can stay protected and audit-ready.
Key takeaways
- An IT security audit enables MSPs and IT teams to identify vulnerabilities, assess cybersecurity risk, validate security controls, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
- Conducting an effective audit requires a structured, repeatable process that includes asset discovery, policy review, risk assessment, and remediation planning.
- The frequency of IT security audits is critical. Perform audits quarterly, biannually, or after major events such as a breach, infrastructure change, or regulatory update.
- Leveraging cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST or CIS helps standardize audits, while tools that provide endpoint visibility, patch compliance, and threat detection improve accuracy and efficiency.
What is an IT security audit?
An IT security audit is a structured evaluation of an organization’s technology environment, policies, and controls to determine how well they protect against cybersecurity threats and meet compliance requirements. For MSPs and IT teams, an audit offers a high-level and detailed view of where risks exist, from misconfigured firewalls to outdated software and excessive user permissions.
Unlike a vulnerability scan or penetration test, which focus on identifying specific technical weaknesses, an IT security audit takes a broader, strategic approach. It assesses the entire IT ecosystem, including processes, user behaviors, endpoint protection, and policy enforcement.
How often should an IT security audit be conducted?
The recommended audit frequency depends on the size and risk profile of the organization. In most cases, audits should be conducted:
- Quarterly for high-risk environments or heavily regulated industries
- Biannually for medium-sized organizations with moderate risk exposure
- Annually, at a minimum, to maintain compliance and validate security controls
In addition to scheduled reviews, trigger-based audits are essential after key events, such as:
- A confirmed or suspected data breach
- Major infrastructure or network changes
- Implementation of new security tools or policies
- Updates to compliance regulations (e.g., HIPAA, CMMC, GDPR)
- Onboarding of new third-party vendors or cloud services
Types of IT security audits
IT security audits can be categorized based on who conducts them, how they are executed, and what their primary focus is. Understanding the different types helps ensure the right audit is applied to each environment or client.
- Internal vs. external audits
Internal audits are conducted by in-house security teams or MSPs managing client environments
External audits are performed by independent third parties to provide unbiased assessments, often required for regulatory compliance
- Manual vs. automated audits
Manual audits involve hands-on review of policies, logs, and configurations
Automated audits use software tools to scan systems for misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, or policy violations
- Compliance-focused audits
These align with standards such as NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, CMMC, or industry-specific regulations such as HIPAA or PCI-DSS
- Technical vs. process audits
Technical audits focus on firewalls, endpoints, patching, and encryption
Process audits examine procedures such as onboarding, access provisioning, and incident response workflows
Key components of an effective IT security audit
A well-executed IT security audit covers all layers of an organization’s technology stack and security operations. Skipping any of these components can create blind spots that attackers exploit.
The following are essential areas to evaluate.
Asset inventory and classification
Identify all hardware, software, cloud services, and data assets. Classify them by sensitivity and criticality to prioritize protections.
Access control and identity management
Evaluate who has access to what, how those permissions are managed, and whether multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enforced across systems.
Endpoint and network security posture
Examine firewalls, antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR)/managed detection and response (MDR)/extended detection and response (XDR) solutions, and segmentation policies. Validate that endpoints are protected and networks are monitored.
Patch and update management
Assess how quickly vulnerabilities are patched across operating systems, applications, and third-party software.
Data protection and encryption
Ensure sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Review backup integrity and retention policies.
Incident response readiness
Review existing response plans, roles, and escalation paths. Test whether teams are prepared to detect and respond to real threats.
User behavior and privilege auditing
Look for anomalous access patterns, unused privileged accounts, and excessive permissions that could lead to insider threats.
Step-by-step: How to conduct an IT security audit
A successful IT security audit requires a structured and repeatable approach. Whether you’re auditing your own organization or managing audits across multiple clients, following a consistent process helps ensure no critical areas are missed.
Step one: Define the audit scope and objectives
Start by identifying what systems, departments, or processes the audit will cover. Define whether the focus is compliance, operational security, or both. This step also clarifies which frameworks (e.g., NIST, CIS) to map against.
Step two: Gather and document IT assets
Build an up-to-date inventory of all hardware, software, cloud services, user accounts, and network devices. Include asset classifications to highlight systems with sensitive or regulated data.
Step three: Assess risks and vulnerabilities
Use automated vulnerability scanners to detect exposed systems. Supplement with manual checks, log reviews, and interviews to uncover gaps that are not detectable by tools alone.
Step four: Evaluate current security policies and controls
Review password policies, firewall configurations, endpoint protection, patching cadence, and access management protocols. Ensure these align with internal standards and client requirements.
Step five: Identify gaps and compliance issues
Compare findings against established benchmarks (e.g., CIS Controls) or regulatory requirements. Note where controls are missing, outdated, or poorly enforced.
Step six: Document findings and remediation plan
Summarize audit results in a structured report with severity ratings, supporting evidence, and actionable recommendations. Prioritize remediation based on risk impact and client obligations.
Step seven: Present results to stakeholders
Translate technical findings into business-level impact. Share results with decision-makers, CISOs, and IT leadership to drive alignment and budget support for improvements.
Tools and frameworks to support your audit
Using the right mix of tools and frameworks can dramatically improve the accuracy, efficiency, and value of your IT security audit. These resources help standardize the process, uncover hidden risks, and align findings with industry benchmarks.
Cybersecurity frameworks
Cybersecurity frameworks (CFS) such as NIST CFS, CIS Controls, and ISO 27001 offer a structured approach to assessing and improving cybersecurity posture. They provide a solid foundation for defining audit scope and measuring maturity.
Control mapping and compliance alignment
Auditing against a known set of controls helps identify compliance gaps and prioritize remediation. The CIS Controls are especially effective for mapping technical safeguards.
See how CIS Controls align with BCDR solutions from ConnectWise >>
Log aggregation and threat detection tools
Centralized log management is essential for auditing system activity and detecting anomalous behavior. Security information and event management (SIEM) software enables real-time visibility and historical analysis.
Managed detection and response (MDR)
Audit insights are more actionable when backed by continuous threat monitoring. MDR software provides 24/7 threat detection, investigation, and expert-guided response, which are essential for validating the effectiveness of security controls.
Remote monitoring and patch management
Endpoint visibility and patch compliance are core components of any IT security audit. Remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools with integrated patch management simplify assessment and remediation across client environments.
Common IT security audit mistakes to avoid
Even experienced IT professionals can overlook key elements during an IT security audit, leading to incomplete assessments and missed vulnerabilities. Avoiding these common mistakes ensures your audit delivers actionable insights that strengthen security and support compliance.
Relying only on automated scanning tools
While automated tools can identify common vulnerabilities, they don’t capture policy gaps, misconfigurations, or insider threats. Combine scanning with manual reviews, policy assessments, and stakeholder interviews for a comprehensive audit.
Overlooking physical and third-party risks
An effective IT security audit extends beyond digital assets. Failing to evaluate physical access controls, remote work risks, or third-party vendors can leave critical gaps in your organization’s security posture.
Conducting audits too infrequently
With rapidly evolving threats, conducting security audits quarterly or after significant changes to infrastructure helps you stay proactive and reduce risk exposure.
Inadequate documentation of audit findings
Security audits without clear, well-organized documentation fail to drive change. Ensure every issue is recorded with supporting evidence, risk severity, and recommended remediation steps that align with your cybersecurity framework.
Failing to involve the right stakeholders
An IT security audit isn’t just an IT exercise. Involving leadership, compliance teams, and department heads ensures accountability and alignment on budget, remediation timelines, and policy updates.
Skipping follow-up and remediation tracking
Audits are only valuable if findings lead to action. Without follow-up, vulnerabilities remain unresolved. Implement a system for tracking remediation progress and validating fixes.
Turn IT security audits into a strategic advantage
Regular, well-executed IT security audits are more than just a compliance checkbox; they’re a proactive way to reduce cybersecurity risk, strengthen client trust, and improve operational resilience. For MSPs and IT teams, having the right tools and frameworks in place transforms audits into a strategic advantage.
ConnectWise delivers a unified suite of Cybersecurity and Data Protection solutions designed to help you audit smarter, respond faster, and protect more. From advanced threat detection with ConnectWise SIEM™ and ConnectWise MDR™ to automated patching and endpoint visibility with ConnectWise RMM™, you get the visibility and control needed to secure every layer of your environment.
Ready to streamline your IT security audits and strengthen client security?
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See how BCDR solutions from ConnectWise support audit readiness >>
