How to Audit Your Current Security Posture Before Hiring a Firm

How to Audit Your Current Security Posture Before Hiring a Firm

managed it security services provider

Inventory Your Assets and Data


Okay, so before you even think bout bringin in those fancy security firms, you gotta, like, know what you actually have, right? Inventorying your assets and data, its basically takin stock of everything that matters. Think computers, servers, yeah, but also databases, customer info, trade secrets… all that good stuff. Dont skip the cloud, either!


It aint just about listing things, ya know. Its about understandin where it all lives, who has access, and how sensitive it is. Without a clear inventory, youre basically askin a firm to find somethin when you dont even know what youre looking for! I mean, cmon! Its like askin someone to find your keys when you dont even remember what car they go to.


You cant protect what you dont know exists, and you cant really have a meaningful conversation with security experts if you cant articulate what needs protectin. Plus, a solid inventory helps the firm tailor their approach, and that saves you money in the long run. So, yeah, do the groundwork. You wont regret it.

Review Existing Security Policies and Procedures


Okay, so before you bring in the big guns – a security firm, I mean – you gotta, like, really look at what youre already doing. Dig into those security policies and procedures, yknow? managed services new york city Dont just assume theyre, uh, totally awesome because, well, they might not be!


Its about more than just ticking boxes. Honestly, are these policies actually followed? And are they even relevant anymore? I mean, technology changes like, constantly! You dont want to be basing your defenses on something thats totally outdated, do ya?


Think about it: whats written down isnt necessarily whats happening in practice. Maybe folks are bypassing steps for convenience, or maybe the procedures just arent clear. This initial audit is, essentially, about uncovering those gaps. It's about understanding what youve got, whats working, and whats definitely not! This isnt a waste of time, its essential! Youll be glad you did!

Assess Vulnerability Management Practices


Okay, so youre thinkin bout gettin a security firm, huh? Smart move! But before you dive in, you gotta, like, really look at how youre doin vulnerability management. Assessin this stuff aint just a check-the-box activity; its about understanin where youre weak.


Dont just assume everythings peachy cause you got some AV software runnin. Dig deep! Is your patch management on point? Are you, like, actually scannin regularly for vulnerabilities? And what about those old systems youre still clingin to? Are they a backdoor waitin to happen?


Furthermore, its not just about the tools, its about the process. Is there even a documented procedure for handlin vulnerabilities when theyre discovered? Whos responsible? How quickly are things fixed? If you cant answer these questions, well, thats a problem!


Honestly, think of assessin your practices as givin yourself a security health check. Itll show you what needs attention and, more importantly, itll allow you to have a much more meaninful conversation with any security firm youre considerin. You wont be goin in blind, and youll be able to ask the right questions. Its worth the effort, I tell ya!

Evaluate Access Controls and Permissions


Okay, so youre thinkin bout gettin some outside help with security, huh? Smart move!

How to Audit Your Current Security Posture Before Hiring a Firm - managed it security services provider

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But before you go tossin your cash at a firm, you gotta, like, actually see what kinda mess youre in, ya know? And a big part of that is lookin at whos got the keys to the kingdom – Im talkin access controls and permissions!


It aint exactly rocket science, but its easy to let this stuff slide. You gotta figure out who can see what, who can change what, and why. Are people still logged in with accounts they shouldnt have anymore? Are folks usin generic logins instead of their own unique ones? Thats a big no-no! You dont want folks snooping around where they shouldnt be.


Think about it, even if you got the fanciest firewall, whats stopping some disgruntled employee (or worse, an ex-employee who still has access!) from wreakin havoc? If you dont have a handle on your permissions, youre basically leavin the door wide open. You cant just assume things are locked down. Audit it!


Dont neglect this part! Itll give the security firm a much clearer picture of what theyre up against, and itll save you money in the long run cause they wont be guessin and flailin around. This aint just a box to check, its crucial! Its all about minimizin risk and protectin your stuff. Make sure you aint neglectin this important step!

Analyze Network Security Architecture


Okay, so youre thinking bout bringin in the big guns, huh? Smart move. But before you even think bout signin on the dotted line with some fancy security firm, you gotta, like, really understand what youve currently got. I mean, whats the point of payin someone to fix somethin you aint even sure is broke?


Analyzing your network security architecture – its not just runnin a quick scan. Its a deep dive, man! You gotta look at everything, from your firewall configurations, which I bet arent perfect, to how your data is segmented. Are your sensitive files tucked away nice and safe, or are they just, like, hangin out in the open for anyone to grab?


Think about your users, too. What access do they actually need? Are folks accessing things they shouldnt be? And dont forget the mobile devices! managed service new york Are they secured? Probably not as well as they could be.


Understanding how all these pieces fit together, or dont fit together, will give you a real clear picture. This aint just bout findin vulnerabilities, its bout understandin your whole security posture. Then, when you do bring in those security experts, youll be able to actually have a worthwhile conversation with them. Youll know what questions to ask, what problems you already suspect, and you wont be gettin bamboozled by jargon! Youll be able to tell em, "Hey, I think we have a problem here with our segmentation, can you take a look?" Instead of just saying, "Uhhh, fix everything!" Thats throwing money away, pure and simple!

Check Incident Response Capabilities


Okay, so youre thinking bout gettin someone else to check out yer security, huh? Smart move! But hold on a sec, before you sign anythin, ya gotta know what you can already do. I mean, checkin yer incident response capabilities is super important. Are you even ready for when, not if, somethin goes wrong?


Dont just assume youre covered. Ask yourself, like, do you have a plan? A real, written-down, everyone-knows-it plan for when your systems get hacked or infected? And does that plan actually, you know, work? Have you ever tested it?


It aint enough to just say "wed call IT". Who is IT? What are their roles? How quickly can they respond? Do they know how to isolate infected systems? What about communication? Who tells the boss? Who talks to the press? You dont wanna be scrambling around like a headless chicken while a breach is goin down, do ya?!


And remember backups! Are they regular? Are they tested? Can you actually restore from em? Cause if you cant, those backups might as well not exist. Honestly!


So, before you bring in the big guns, take an honest look at yer own incident response. See what youre good at, and more importantly, see what you aint so hot at. That way, you can tell the security firm exactly where you need the most help. Youll get a better audit, and honestly, probably save some dough too!

Document Findings and Prioritize Risks


Okay, so youve poked around, checked some logs, maybe even ran a scan or two, and now youre staring at a pile of...stuff. This is where you gotta document all those security findings! Dont just assume youll remember it all later, yikes. Write it all down, the good, the bad, and the ugly.


Think of it like this: youre making a map of your digital terrain, marking the weak spots. Maybe you found a server with an unpatched vulnerability or, uh oh, a user account with a ridiculously weak password. Maybe your firewall rules arent quite as tight as you thought they were. Whatever it is, jot it down with enough detail so that anyone (including your future audit firm) can understand the problem.


Now, heres where it gets interesting: prioritizing those risks. Not everything is created equal! A low-severity vulnerability on an internal test server isnt the same as a critical vulnerability on your public-facing e-commerce platform. Youve gotta figure out what could cause the most damage, whats most likely to be exploited, and what needs fixing right now. Consider the impact (whats the potential damage if this vulnerability is exploited?) and the likelihood (how likely is it to happen?).


It aint rocket science, but it does require some thought. You cant just assume everything is a top priority or, conversely, ignore certain issues altogether. Oh dear! Use a simple ranking system (high, medium, low, perhaps) to give yourself a clear picture of where to focus your attention and, crucially, where to direct resources when you finally bring in that audit firm. Theyll thank you for it, and your organizations security will be better for it too. You wont regret it, I promise!

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How to Audit Your Current Security Posture Before Hiring a Firm