Cyber Security Audit
Cyber Security Audit: Do your security measures work demonstrably?
The Cyber Security Audit is the most difficult form of investigation within this ladder: an independent systematic review against predefined criteria. We collect and verify traceable evidence, test relevant technical and organisational measures and formulate a substantiated assessment of the scope under investigation. The criteria may include agreed controls, own policies, contractual requirements, relevant standards, legal requirements, technical baselines or a pre-arranged combination thereof.
Do you recognize this?
- Reports show that measures have been set up but do not provide sufficient certainty about their actual effect.
- the board and management lack independent evidence of technical and operational control.
- Audit findings and vulnerabilities shall be monitored separately, without a coherent risk assessment.
- Your IT service provider works carefully on the establishment, but assesses most of the work itself.
What are the risks? Without independent review, decisions remain subject to assumptions and self-reporting. Important deviations can therefore become visible too late and the risks with the greatest impact may not be addressed by the budget.
Our promise of service
Independent review with a substantiated audit conclusion
The Cyber Security Audit combines review criteria, technical analysis, processes, governance, suppliers and traceable evidence in a coherent assessment of the agreed scope.
- Preliminary evaluation criteria
- Findings with traceable evidence
- Audit conclusion and concrete priorities for improvement
Cyber Security Audit
What's a Cyber Security Audit?
The Cyber Security Audit is the most difficult form of investigation within this ladder: an independent systematic review against predefined criteria. We collect and verify traceable evidence, test relevant technical and organisational measures and formulate a substantiated assessment of the scope under investigation. The criteria may include agreed controls, own policies, contractual requirements, relevant standards, legal requirements, technical baselines or a pre-arranged combination thereof.
When does this service fit?
When do you choose a Cyber Security Audit?
Choose a Cyber Security Audit when boards and executive management, IT manager, oversight or a client needs an independent assessment of demonstrable compliance or operation. The audit fits with a major accountability question, a recurring follow-up assessment or a study requiring pre-defined criteria and an explicit audit conclusion. The scope may be wide or delimited; The methodical heaviness is in the systematic review and evidence.
Experience from audit practice
What I often find during audits
In many environments, the actual establishment deviates from what the management expects or what has been agreed with the IT service provider. Therefore, I base audit conclusions on traceable evidence, such as configurations, log data, recovery tests and demonstrable follow-up.
Read more about my experience and working methods →Research area
Six perspectives, one coherent audit image
The exact scope follows from your main processes, systems, suppliers, risks and decision-making questions. We also set the criteria for checking, for example, controls, own policies, contractual requirements, standards, legislation or technical baselines.
Governance and ownership
Roles, decision-making, reporting and demonstrable board-level accountability.
Technical resilience
Technical analyses of configurations, vulnerabilities, logging, backup and recovery capability.
Operational operation
Access, modifications, incidents and the daily implementation of measures.
Suppliers and Chain
agreements, dependencies, assurance and direction on IT services.
Policy and evidence
Coherence between established policies, registrations and demonstrable application.
Human and organisation
Awareness, powers and practical embedding in teams and processes.
Your result
An audit report that directs the direction of the audit
You will receive an audit report containing the criteria used, substantiated findings, traceable evidence, limitations of the investigation and an explicit audit conclusion on the agreed scope. Risk, impact and priority make the outcome useful for management, IT and suppliers.
- Management summary with board-level risk picture
- Explicit audit conclusion on the scope examined
- Findings with evidence, risk and recommendation
- Priorities, quick wins and structural improvements
- Visual blueprint of IT infrastructure, coherence and dependencies
- Concrete discussion points for the conversation with the IT service provider
- Discussion with boards and executive management and managers
KYNEXISCyber Security Audit
3Directly Pick Up7Improving targeted11Properly set up
FocusEffective functioning and board-level prioritiesRisk-driven and enforceable
Independent audit
When do you activate an independent Cyber Security Auditor?
An independent cyber security auditor is relevant when management, board or client needs security beyond a scan or advice. Kynexis tests pre-arranged criteria for traceable evidence and assesses technology, processes, governance and suppliers in conjunction. These cybersecurity audit services provide a well-founded audit conclusion, a governance risk picture and concrete decision points.
A baseline assessment gives a wide starting image. An assessment ensures targeted flooring. An audit information security or IT security audit shall independently review criteria and evidence established in advance.
How we work
This is how the Cyber Security Audit is conducted
- 01
Scope and review criteria
Define purpose, systems, processes, desired security and pre-defined criteria.
- 02
Collecting and verifying evidence
Documents, configurations, technical analyses, registrations and practice targeted tests.
- 03
Analysis and Hearing Re-hearing
Supporting findings and indicating in fact with those involved.
- 04
Conclusion and decision-making
To formulate an audit conclusion and translate findings into clear priorities and decisions.
Choose based on your question
Which form of research suits your decision-making needs?
The routes differ in purpose, depth and the type of support you need.
Quickscan
Gives an initial indication on its own and at a low threshold and helps to determine whether further research is useful.
View Quickscan →Information security baseline assessment
Presents the current situation, main risks and first priorities for improvement broadly and relatively compactly.
View Information security baseline assessment →Cybersecurity Assessment
Researches and assesses a defined technical, organisational or combined demand more extensively.
View Cybersecurity Assessment →Cyber Security Audit
Systematically keys to predefined criteria and formulates an audit conclusion based on traceable evidence.
Fits this decision questionDiscuss the audit question, desired assurance, available information and appropriate review criteria.
Schedule an audit intake →Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers on Cyber Security Audit
What's a Cyber Security Audit?
A Cyber Security Audit is an independent systematic review against predefined criteria. The audit uses traceable evidence and leads to a substantiated conclusion on the scope examined.
What's the difference between a Cyber Security Audit and a penetration test?
A penetration test focuses on technical attack paths. The Cyber Security Audit connects technology and vulnerability analyses with processes, governance, suppliers and demonstrable operation.
What is the difference with baseline assessment or Cybersecurity Assessment?
A baseline assessment gives a wide starting image on main lines. A Cybersecurity Assessment investigates and assesses a defined demand focused and deepening. The Cyber Security Audit systematically reviews predefined criteria and formulates an audit conclusion based on traceable evidence.
What criteria does a Cyber Security Audit use?
We'll make a deal in advance. Think of controls, own policies, contractual agreements, relevant standards, legal requirements, technical baselines or a combination of them.
Is this audit suitable for preparing for NIS2?
Yes. The audit may focus on technical and operational topics relevant to NIS2 and the Dutch Cybersecurity Act, including chain control, incident response and board-level reporting.
What do the board and executive management receive?
Board and management receive a compact management summary, a prioritized risk picture and concrete decision points, supported by the full findings report and the evidence collected.
Most IT service providers want to do their job carefully. This is precisely why independent review helps: together from facts to determine what works well and where improvement is feasible.