In today’s digital landscape, cyber security is a critical concern for organisations of all sizes. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, businesses must take proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information, mitigate potential risks, and ensure compliance with industry standards. One of the most effective ways to strengthen defences is through regular cyber security audits, which help identify vulnerabilities, improve security controls, and align internal processes with best practices.
This article explores the seven key types of cyber security audits, their importance, and how they help organisations maintain a robust security posture.
What is a Cyber Security Audit?
A cyber security audit is a systematic evaluation of an organisation’s information systems, security policies, and operational procedures. It aims to:
- Identify existing vulnerabilities and security risks.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry-specific standards.
- Assess the effectiveness of current security controls.
- Align internal processes with best practices to mitigate cyber threats.
Cyber security audits can be conducted by internal teams or external auditors to provide an unbiased assessment of an organisation’s security posture.

The 7 Key Types of Cyber Security Audits
1. Network Security Audit
A network security audit focuses on evaluating the organisation’s network infrastructure, including firewalls, routers, switches, and other devices, to ensure they are configured securely and effectively protect against unauthorised access.
Key Areas Audited:
- Firewall Configuration: Ensures that firewalls are correctly set up to block unauthorised traffic while allowing legitimate communication.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): Verifies that IDPS are in place and functioning to detect and block potential intrusions.
- Network Segmentation: Reviews whether critical systems are isolated from less-sensitive areas of the network to limit lateral movement by attackers.
Benefits: Conducting a network security audit helps organisations detect configuration flaws, strengthen defences, and reduce the risk of unauthorised access or data breaches.
2. Application Security Audit
With organisations increasingly relying on software applications for business operations, securing these applications is crucial. An application security audit assesses the design, implementation, and operation of software to identify vulnerabilities.
Key Areas Audited:
- Source Code Review: Examines application code to detect vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
- Vulnerability Assessments: Uses automated tools to scan for known vulnerabilities and outdated components.
- Access Control Mechanisms: Ensures that proper authentication and authorisation controls are in place to prevent unauthorised access.
Benefits: An application security audit protects both proprietary and customer-facing applications, minimising the risk of data breaches and ensuring a secure user experience.
3. Compliance Audit
A compliance audit evaluates an organisation’s adherence to relevant regulatory frameworks and industry-specific standards. This is particularly important for industries handling sensitive data, such as healthcare, finance, and e-commerce.
Common Regulations Audited:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Ensures that organisations comply with EU data protection laws.
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): Verifies that businesses handling payment card information meet strict security requirements.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Ensures healthcare organisations protect patient information.
Benefits: A compliance audit helps organisations avoid regulatory fines, build customer trust, and demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive information.
4. Internal Security Audit
An internal security audit is conducted by an organisation’s in-house team to assess the effectiveness of current security policies and practices.
Key Areas Audited:
- Access Control Policies: Reviews user permissions to ensure that employees only have access to the resources necessary for their roles.
- Incident Response Plan: Evaluates the organisation’s preparedness for handling security incidents.
- Employee Security Training: Assesses the effectiveness of training programs in raising awareness about common cyber threats.
Benefits: Internal audits provide continuous monitoring of security controls, helping organisations identify potential risks before they escalate.
5. External Security Audit
An external audit is performed by independent external auditors to provide an objective evaluation of the organisation’s security posture.
Key Areas Audited:
- Penetration Testing: Ethical hackers simulate real-world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities.
- Security Policy Review: Ensures that security policies are comprehensive and align with industry best practices.
- Vulnerability Assessments: Scans external-facing systems for exploitable weaknesses.
Benefits: External audits offer an unbiased view of an organisation’s security posture, helping to identify blind spots that internal teams may overlook.
6. Penetration Testing (Pen Test)
Penetration testing, or ethical hacking, simulates cyberattacks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in an organisation’s systems.
Key Areas Audited:
- Network Penetration: Tests the security of network infrastructure.
- Web Application Penetration: Identifies vulnerabilities in web applications, such as weak authentication or insecure coding.
- Social Engineering: Simulates phishing attacks to test employee vigilance.
Benefits: Penetration testing provides actionable insights into potential attack vectors, allowing organisations to fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
7. Cloud Security Audit
As more organisations migrate to cloud services, cloud security audits have become essential. These audits assess the security of cloud infrastructure and governance policies.
Key Areas Audited:
- Cloud Provider Security: Evaluates the security practices of cloud service providers.
- Data Protection: Ensures sensitive data in the cloud is encrypted and access is restricted to authorised users.
- Cloud Configuration: Reviews whether cloud environments are securely configured.
Benefits: Cloud security audits help organisations mitigate the risks of data breaches in cloud environments and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
FAQs on Cyber Security Audits
1. Why are cyber security audits important?
Cyber security audits help organisations identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with regulations, and enhance overall security posture by aligning with industry best practices.
2. What is the difference between an internal and external cyber security audit?
- An internal audit is conducted by the organisation’s staff to review existing security controls.
- An external audit is conducted by third-party experts to provide an unbiased assessment of the organisation’s security posture.
3. How often should an organisation conduct a cyber security audit?
Most organisations should conduct audits at least annually. However, businesses in highly regulated industries or those undergoing significant infrastructure changes may need more frequent audits.
4. What is the role of penetration testing in cyber security audits?
Penetration testing identifies vulnerabilities by simulating real-world attacks, helping organisations strengthen their defences against potential threats.
Cyber security audits are essential for safeguarding an organisation’s sensitive information, ensuring compliance with regulations, and mitigating potential risks. By conducting regular audits—whether internal or external—businesses can identify vulnerabilities, improve security controls, and maintain a strong security posture in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Engaging in proactive audits helps organisations stay ahead of cyber threats, protect critical assets, and foster trust among customers and stakeholders. At IT Networks, as the trusted business IT support service provider in Australia since 1994, we specialise in delivering comprehensive IT security solutions, including tailored audits to meet your business’s unique needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help strengthen your organisation’s cyber defences