What is Security Audit?

Security audits evaluate whether systems meet defined security standards and best practices. Types include internal audits (by the organization), external audits (by third parties), compliance audits (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR), and technical audits (vulnerability assessments, penetration tests). Audit scope covers access controls, data protection, network security, change management, incident response procedures, and backup/recovery. Deliverables include findings classified by severity, risk assessments, and remediation recommendations. Audit logs — records of who did what and when — are essential evidence. Regular audits demonstrate security maturity and build customer trust.