TL;DR
A security audit is a formal review of your security practices against a standard or framework. Auditors examine policies, procedures, controls, and evidence to verify you meet requirements. Common audits include SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI-DSS. Passing an audit shows customers you take security seriously. Prepare by documenting everything and ensuring controls are implemented and followed.
The Simple Explanation
An auditor reviews your security controls to see if they meet a specific standard. They look at your policies, interview your team, examine evidence, and test controls. At the end, they issue a report saying whether you passed or what needs fixing. Customers often require these audits before doing business with you.
Common Security Audits
| Audit | Focus | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 | Service organization controls | SaaS companies |
| ISO 27001 | Information security management | Global companies |
| PCI-DSS | Payment card data | Payment processors |
| HIPAA | Health information | Healthcare companies |
| FedRAMP | Federal cloud security | Government contractors |
What Auditors Examine
- Policies: Written security policies and procedures
- Access control: Who has access to what and why
- Change management: How changes are reviewed and deployed
- Incident response: How you handle security incidents
- Logging: Audit trails and monitoring
- Vendor management: Third-party security
- Training: Security awareness programs
Audit Types
Type I: Point-in-time assessment
- Are controls designed properly?
- Snapshot of one specific date
- Faster to complete
Type II: Period of time assessment
- Are controls operating effectively?
- Typically 3-12 month observation period
- More valuable to customers
Start early. Security audits require extensive documentation and evidence. Begin preparing months before the audit. Rushing leads to gaps and failed audits.
Preparing for an Audit
- Choose the right framework for your business
- Document all security policies and procedures
- Implement required controls
- Enable logging and evidence collection
- Conduct security training
- Perform internal assessments
- Remediate any gaps found
What is the difference between a security audit and a pen test?
A security audit reviews policies, procedures, and controls against a standard (like SOC 2). A pen test actively tries to exploit technical vulnerabilities. Audits are broader and include organizational aspects. Pen tests are deeper technical tests. Many audits require a pen test as one component.
What should I prepare for a security audit?
Document your security policies, access controls, incident response procedures, and data handling practices. Ensure audit logs are enabled and retained. Have evidence of security training, vulnerability management, and change control processes. Prepare network diagrams and data flow documentation.
How long does a security audit take?
Duration depends on scope and organization size. A SOC 2 Type II audit typically takes 3-6 months for the observation period, plus time for evidence collection and report writing. Smaller audits like PCI SAQ might take a few weeks. Plan for significant internal effort during the process.