When to get an IT audit? Advice for businesses

Businesses often approach us to ask when to get an IT audit.

Audits may sound like something only an accountant has to worry about, but they are just as important in IT.

Unlike accountancy though, there is no hard and fast rule suggesting when to get an IT audit – but it is extremely beneficial to carry one out at least once.

What is an IT audit?

An IT audit collects data on the overall efficiency, suitability, security and reliability of computer systems.

It assesses and evaluates their management controls to determine overall performance. It also analyses whether or not the IT systems are available and ready to use at all times when required by the business.

However, it’s sometimes very hard to know exactly when to get an IT audit.

Many companies are unaware of how their IT systems are restricting their business until they see what benefits they could enjoy by making some changes.

Read on to learn the tell-tale signs that indicate when to get an IT audit – and how it can help your business.

When to get an IT audit and why?

Broadly speaking, a business needs an IT audit when its computer systems are hindering the company from achieving its expected standards, or when they are inhibiting the company from pursuing and achieving growth.

For example, if a company’s IT is negatively affecting the quality of its work, or limiting the quantity of work it is able to take on, then the IT is underperforming against the business’ expected standards.

If the IT systems have limitations which are preventing the company from taking on new kinds of work, then they are also having a detrimental impact on the business’ plans for growth.

It’s also a good idea to consider an audit once computer systems require more time and money to maintain or fix than desired.

If IT systems are becoming a drain on valuable staff time when they should be doing other things, this is defeating the purpose of computers, which is to save time and make life easier.

Similarly if budget expenditure on IT is higher than originally intended, this suggests that the systems are not performing as efficiently as they should be.

Most importantly, if there are any concerns over IT systems’ reliability, security or availability to staff at all times when required, then an audit will definitely help resolve these issues.

How can an IT audit add value to a business?

Put simply, an IT audit can detect weaknesses and identify solutions to improve the key areas we have just covered – reliability, security and availability – as well as limit drains on financial resources and staff time.

It can also suggest the best IT option to suit a business’ current and future requirements.

An audit ensures that a company’s IT systems perform to the expected standard at all times and can adapt to any new business conditions.

It ensures that they are safe from unauthorised access, damage, viruses and other threats. It ensures that they can be used whenever needed and will prevent disasters as much as possible.

Furthermore, once an audit is complete and any required changes have been made, automated tools can be used to monitor and manage the hardware and software, making sure that the benefits remain in the long run.

For further information about when to get an IT audit and how they are carried out, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.