How To Audit IT Infrastructure: A Quick Overview

For a building to be strong and secure, it needs a solid foundation, good structural engineering, high-quality materials, and expertly installed systems — in other words, infrastructure. Information technology also requires infrastructure, from computers and cloud servers to software platforms and internet routers. To benefit fully from cutting-edge advances, you need to know how to audit your IT infrastructure periodically.

WHAT IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE AUDIT?

Auditing IT infrastructure means carefully examining your organization’s technology environment, including software, hardware, network resources, and cybersecurity defenses. IT Infrastructure audits look for several issues:

• Security vulnerabilities
• Wasted resources and inefficient processes
• System weaknesses and warning signs
• Risks
• Compliance failures
• Gaps in policy

The goal of an IT audit is to identify opportunities to improve your operations, such as by automating workflows, streamlining communications, or correcting vulnerabilities. Did you know that 40% of businesses accidentally give entry-level employees access to over 10,000 sensitive documents? An IT audit highlights this type of error so you can prevent it.

HOW DO YOU AUDIT IT INFRASTRUCTURE?

There are several ways to approach an IT audit. The right option depends on the size of your company.

Enterprises often follow the top-down method. In other words, they look at IT infrastructure in terms of organizational policies, risk management, compliance, and efficiency. Individual assets like hardware and firewalls come later.

Small and mid-size companies are more likely to handle audits from the bottom up. This means looking at technology systems first, with policies taking a back seat. This approach tends to focus on problems and solutions.

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF AN IT INFRASTRUCTURE AUDIT?

IT infrastructure encompasses everything your company needs to operate, manage, protect, and support its technology. Conventional IT infrastructure includes servers, network hubs, operating systems, and customer relationship management software. Cloud infrastructure relies on virtual resources, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services. IT audits even examine how employees interact with technology platforms.

There is no “right” way to audit your IT infrastructure. The key is to understand your company’s priorities and then focus on the IT systems that directly support those goals.

For example, if your company must meet specific cybersecurity standards (like CMMC for defense contractors), it makes sense to audit those processes and network assets more rigorously than other areas. You would probably pay special attention to logging, reporting, and access control measures.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AUDITING YOUR IT INFRASTRUCTURE?

Performing an IT infrastructure audit for your business is like a doctor ordering a CT scan for a patient with pain. It provides visibility, showing you what resources are available, how well your business uses them, and what problems exist. The better you understand your technology environment, the more effective your decisions can be.

Periodically analyzing your infrastructure often improves:

• IT costs
• Compliance
• Cybersecurity
• Productivity
• Customer satisfaction

Eliminating data silos is good for your budget, but it’s also good for cybersecurity and compliance. Protecting your network also helps you avoid costly downtime.

EXPERTS IN IT INFRASTRUCTURE AUDITS

At TSP, we know how to audit IT infrastructure for businesses of every size. Whether your aim is compliance or cost-cutting, our team can help you create a customized IT audit. Contact us to learn more about our audit services.