What is an IT auditor? A vital role for risk assessment

IT auditors are in charge of evaluating and analyzing an organization’s technological infrastructure in order to guarantee that the processes and systems work effectively and accurately. They are also responsible for managing or controlling the problems or issues which arise in the process; they identify the issues and find the proper solution for the problems in order to enhance the system or the processes. 

Role of an IT auditor

The role of an IT auditor includes testing, implementing, analyzing, developing, and accessing audit measures. You will be in charge of auditing processes or projects with the utilization of the IT auditing standard in your company or industry. Software, networks, programs, security systems, communications system, and various other services are included in the audit processes, which is dependent on the organization’s technological infrastructure. One of the most important roles of an IT auditor is risk management.

Responsibilities of an IT auditor

IT auditors have several responsibilities, including the processing of several audits of the technologies and processes of an organization. These audits are also identified as Automated Data Processes audits. Electronic Data Processing audits were used back in the days. They are also in charge of running a security check to ensure that the organization’s confidential data is safe and secure from any threats.

• Technological innovation process: It is an audit process that helps to categorize risks and build up a risk profile for both the ongoing and future projects. It concentrates on the experience of the company with the required technology.
• Application and Systems: This is an audit process that helps in accessing the systems to check whether they are controlled, reliable, effective, efficient, safe, and secure.
• Innovative comparison: This audit process aims at checking the company’s capability to innovate new products compared to its competitors. It also evaluates the company’s performance.
• Technological position audit: This is an audit process that helps to check the existing technology used in the company and the technologies which are required to be adopted in the future.
• Systems development: This audit helps in the verification process of the ongoing development of the systems which are best suited for the company.
• Client, server, telecommunications, intranets, and extranets: This audit helps mainly in examining the client’s controls on networks and servers which are connected to the clients.
• Management of IT and enterprise architecture: This is an audit process that is mostly used for the procession of information by IT organizations.

Salary of IT auditor

The salary of an IT auditor is around $97,500 to $185,500 per year for higher posts. The demand for IT auditors is increasing rapidly across industries.

Skills required:

You’ll require numerous skills as an IT auditor, which might differ on the basis of your specific role and organization, although there’s a list of skills that are needed in general in order to be successful as an IT auditor. Few of those skills required by the candidates are:

• Internal audit
• Risk management
• IT Security and infrastructure
• Data analysis
• Security risk management
• Computer Security
• Communication skills
• Visualization tools (ACL, MS Excel, SAS)
• Security testing and auditing

The requirements for IT auditor job

The entry-level of IT auditor jobs or positions need a bachelor’s degree in management of information systems, computer, finance, or accounting. You should also have an incredible IT or IS background along with experience in internal auditing. IT auditing job requires numerous skills, including technical skills, security skills, and also fluent communication skills. You must be able to identify or locate the issues or problems in the system along with that you must be able to explain the causes of the issue and the changes which can be implemented in order to prevent such issues from arising. Analytical and critical thinking are also one of the most important skills required by an IT auditor in order to evaluate or analyze data to look for the patterns in order to locate the issues in IT security and infrastructure.

Certifications:

There are several certifications available that are suitable for IT auditors and can also help you in enhancing your skills and knowledge. Some of these certifications are:

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): Certified Information Systems Auditor is a globally acknowledged certification that acts as the standard for IT professionals who have jobs, which include monitoring, auditing, securing, and controlling data. In order to acquire or attain a certificate in CISA, you need an immense amount of dedication and hard work.

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Certified Information Security Manager Certification validates your skills and knowledge in governance of information security, program development, risk management, and incident management. This certification is acknowledged globally across organizations.