A cybersecurity audit is a systematic, independent evaluation of an organisation’s security posture.
It examines IT systems, policies, procedures, and user behaviour to identify vulnerabilities, assess resilience, and ensure compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, NIS2, and GDPR.
What exactly is a cybersecurity audit?
It is a structured process that:
- evaluates the effectiveness of technical and organisational controls,
- uncovers hidden vulnerabilities in systems and processes,
- verifies compliance with legal and industry requirements,
- delivers clear, prioritised remediation recommendations.
It is not just a check-box exercise – it is a strategic tool for continuously improving your security programme.
Why regular audits are essential
| Benefit | Real-world impact |
|---|---|
| Early vulnerability detection | Find weaknesses before attackers do |
| Regulatory compliance | Meet ISO 27001, NIS2, GDPR, KSC, DORA, etc. without surprises |
| Continuous improvement | Feed results into your PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle |
| Stakeholder confidence | Prove to clients, partners, and insurers that security is taken seriously |
Types of cybersecurity audits
| Audit type | Primary focus |
|---|---|
| Technical | Infrastructure, configurations, firewalls, servers, endpoints, OT/ICS |
| Process / Organisational | Policies, procedures, roles & responsibilities, awareness programmes |
| Compliance | Mapping against ISO 27001, NIS2, GDPR, IEC 62443, Polish KSC/UKE rules, etc. |
Most mature organisations combine all three.
Standard audit phases
- Planning – defining scope, objectives, methodology, and team roles
- Data collection – documentation review, configuration analysis, interviews, log collection
- Analysis & testing – vulnerability scanning, risk assessment, penetration tests (if in scope)
- Reporting – executive summary + detailed technical findings + prioritised remediation roadmap
Post-audit actions (the part most companies forget)
- Implement recommendations with clear owners and deadlines
- Perform a follow-up verification audit (usually 3–6 months later)
- Integrate findings into your ISMS / risk register
- Schedule the next full audit (minimum annually for NIS2/ISO 27001)
Most commonly discovered threats during audits (Poland 2024-2025)
- Misconfigured firewalls and open ports
- Missing or weak multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Outdated systems (Windows 7/XP still in production environments)
- Flat networks – no IT/OT segmentation
- Default credentials on PLCs, SCADA, and industrial devices
- Insufficient backup testing and ransomware recovery plans
A proper audit catches these issues before they turn into a front-page breach.
Take action – schedule your audit today
Regular, independent audits are the cornerstone of cyber resilience.
They protect your data, ensure compliance, and dramatically reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents.
Need a professional audit?
I deliver full-scope cybersecurity audits (technical, organisational, and compliance) aligned with ISO 27001, NIS2, IEC 62443, and Polish national regulations.
You receive a clear risk matrix, executive presentation, and an actionable 12–24 month remediation roadmap.
📧 biuro@wichran.pl
📞 +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed digital forensics expert, OT/IT cybersecurity consultant, licensed private detective
@Informatyka.Sledcza