Security system audits can not only reveal where these looming gaps may reside within your access control and video management systems but can create a path forward to identify solutions to counteract them. With a deep dive, an audit can yield invaluable insights and enhancements that will help bolster your physical security posture.

In this blog, we will delve into five key areas of impact that may be uncovered during a security system audit to demonstrate why they are so essential for maintaining a robust security environment.

1. Uncovering System Vulnerabilities and Blind Spots
   The saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” is a pillar of why security audits are so important. Often times, vulnerabilities easily go unnoticed during day-to-day operations, only unveiling themselves as problems down the line. But, in the case of a security audit, identifying these threats and vulnerabilities before they present lingering problems can help teams stay ahead of the game. Spotting easily exploitable outdated card formats, for example, can eliminate a weak link in your security chain that could allow malicious actors into the facility. So if it's been a while since you've taken a deep dive into your systems, or you've inherited a system and aren't sure what's under the covers, a security audit can help set you on the right path.

2. Identifying End-of-Life Machines
   Just as technology advances, security systems continue to evolve with it, meaning that machines and devices that were once state-of-the-art may now be outdated and unsupported. Carrying out a system audit can help to pinpoint end-of-life machines in your system to ensure that you're not relying on obsolete technology that could lead to future system failures. With that information in hand, teams can then upgrade or replace these components to help maintain the integrity and effectiveness of your security infrastructure.

3. Refining Naming Standards for Usability
   Organized data is essential for effective security management and a security system audit can identify what data is being transferred to and from the system and how. Once that information has been identified, it’s easier to understand how and why a naming convention can be leveraged to enhance business intelligence initiatives. With that type of information in hand, it also becomes easier to access and manage data while reducing the risk of confusion or errors. Taking it one step further, turning your security data into a more usable form allows teams to transform the data into valuable business insights and deliver those insights to their own team or adjacent departments. While security is traditionally seen as a cost-center, doing this can empower you to make informed security decisions while adding value to the business at large.

4.Reviewing and Refining Access Level Architecture
Access control is at the heart of any physical security system. By conducting a system audit, you can shed light on inefficient access provisioning and help refine access levels for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. By reviewing and optimizing access levels, teams will not only ensure that the wrong people are being kept out but, more importantly, that the right people are being let in. This means having the right permissions at the right time to minimize security risks associated with unauthorized access. Not only does this improve security but it also helps to simplify administrative tasks associated with access provisioning.

5.Identify and Resolve Unclean Data
One of the major activities completed during a security system audit is uncovering unclean data hiding in the depths of your security systems. Why is this important? Well, in the unfortunate event of a security incident, a well-maintained system can significantly expedite incident response efforts. By uncovering these pockets of disparate, inaccurate, or unclean data, teams can take the necessary actions to clean up their system. Ultimately, this allows investigations to focus less on finding, comparing, and questioning where certain events or incidents took place but rather swiftly identify the source of the breach and take immediate action to contain it. This proactive approach minimizes potential damage and aids in the recovery process.

A security system audit should be viewed as a critical component to maintaining a secure and efficient security ecosystem. And by ensuring that your system is working for you and identifying problems before they happen, a more proactive security posture is created. So whether you are carrying out these audits in-house or leveraging third-party outsourced support, [https://www.northlandcontrols.com/blog/why-should-i-consider-outsourcing-my-security-audits] conducting a system audits on a regular basis is key.

Investing in regular audits ensures that your organization remains well-prepared to face the evolving threats of today’s world. Don’t wait for a security incident to expose a weak spot – take a proactive step to safeguard your organization with a comprehensive security system audit today.

Contact us today at info@northlandcontrols.com and let our team of experienced system engineers support your next system audit.