Identify, Manage, and Reduce your Risks

 


Top 10 Audit Questions to Ask your IT Auditor

The following are the Top 10 questions you should ask your IT auditor.

1.  How do I get compliance certified?

To meet compliance requirements, you must use an auditor that is certified to audit and assess your systems.  Altius IT provides Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA) as a part of each engagement.

2. Are you independent?

Auditors must be independent and not influenced by a prior working relationship with your organization.  In other words, individuals that provide IT services (in-house or outsourced) to your organization can't also be your IT auditor.  By being independent, Altius IT remains unbiased and doesn't have preconceived agendas that may not be in your best interests.

3. Do you specialize in IT audits?

Altius IT specializes in providing audit and assessment services.  We review your technology systems, business processes and procedures, and your staff to determine if the right things are being done the right way in a cost effective and efficient manner.

4.  What is your audit experience?

Altius IT's staff has the certifications and experience.  Since 1993, we've performed over 1,000 audits and assessments.  Our experienced auditors understand the importance of evaluating technology systems, people, and processes.  All three must be examined to help you identify, manage, and reduce your risks.

5.  How is the engagement managed?

Each engagement is overseen by an Altius IT project manager with 30 years of management and technical experience.  Altius IT staff are directly supervised and directed by the project manager to ensure your goals, objectives, and deadlines are met.  See the Altius IT Roadmap (AIR) for an overview of the audit process.

6.  Does your scope include a review of controls?

Altius IT provides a comprehensive 360 degree view of your organization.  In addition to technical controls, our auditors examine and evaluate procedural controls (operations procedures), legal controls (software licenses etc.), human resources controls (confidentiality agreements, etc.), risk management controls (business continuity, cyber crime insurance, etc.), and other types of risk management.

7.  What type of deliverables (reports) do I get?

Many companies provide computer report dumps that have little meaning to executives and business professionals.  Altius IT's deliverables provide real value:

  • Assessment Report - a report of our findings and evaluation of risks.  Our assessment report reviews over 50+ different subject areas.
  • Action Plan Report - we analyze the information in our Assessment Report and prepare a risk response action plan plan with prioritized recommendations and steps to manage your risks.
  • Compliance Letter - if requested, Altius IT can provide you with a Compliance Letter, stating that your systems meet minimum standards and compliance requirements.

8.  What auditing standards are used when assessing our firm?

As an active member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Altius IT's compliance audits and assessments help your organization meet industry standards and guidelines. 

9.  What are your certifications and affiliations?

Members of the Altius IT audit team hold the following certifications, qualifications, and affiliations:

  • Management qualifications - each Altius IT project manager has over 30 years of project management experience
  • Professional associations - Altius IT is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Association of Contingency Planners (ACP), Technology Professionals Association (TPA), and Association of Professional Consultants
  • Technical certifications - Altius IT's engineers hold many certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP the world's leading qualification in information security), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Certified Cisco Network Administrator (CCNA), Intrusion Prevention Professional, Certificate in Data Processing (CDP)
  • Academic qualifications - Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS), Bachelor of Science in Accounting
  • Recognition - Altius IT has been featured on national television and in over 40 publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Business Week, the Los Angeles Times, and many others.  For more information, please visit In the News.

10.  Why should we choose your firm?

You need a firm that understands your industry and technology systems.  Altius IT has performed hundreds of audits and assessments.  We understand the underlying technologies that support your business functions.  We are familiar with the various threats and vulnerabilities associated with your business processes, people, and technology systems.