Auditing an organization’s cybersecurity is an undeniably serious task. The legal, financial, and security implications of the work are why there are such strict guidelines regarding who or how audits can be conducted. What’s often missed, however, are the added qualities to look out for in an auditor.
Of course, they need to be highly qualified, but a truly great auditor has far more than just certificates to offer. Ideally, they should have a full range of skills that allow them to be effective at not only basic cybersecurity compliance, but producing a readable report, engaging well with colleagues during the process, and maintaining a trustworthy, unbiased view throughout.
The qualities of the auditor will often determine the quality of the audit, so don’t be afraid to take a closer look at who it is that’s performing the job and whether they’re able to offer as much value as they should.
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There are both social and professional skills that a truly great auditor possesses, each of which can contribute not only to a more accurate audit but a more trustworthy one:
The role of an auditor is a tricky one. They’re hired to do a job for an organization, but their responsibility is to stay as impartial as possible and prioritize regulatory compliance over client comfort. Sometimes this means having to submit a report they know will displease the client soliciting it.
To do so and not be swayed by pressures requires integrity. The quality and trustworthiness of a final audit depends on it. It’s why most auditing ethics codes include integrity as a central component.
Auditors need to be above corporate politics or the sway of a panicked client otherwise, their work has no standing. Auditing reputations are built on integrity. It’s what protects both the auditor and auditee through the process. It's also the very aspect that helps ensure that auditors are confident enough to flag important areas that perhaps need improving, which is ultimately what makes for great reporting and remediation.
Many forget how people-focused the role of an auditor is. They’re often entering new spaces and organizations where they’ll likely need to engage with a range of people to get their work done. Being someone who can communicate clearly and respectfully makes the entire auditing process smoother and more pleasant for those involved.
Great auditors are those who can communicate with lots of different people in an organization, ask insightful questions, and ultimately communicate their findings in a report that is easy to understand. An understanding of visual communication is also helpful in this, as using graphs and other visual aids can make audit results more digestible. That way, findings are more likely to be applied, and the audit itself more impactful.
Cybersecurity is inherently technical. Auditors in this realm are most effective when they’re able to thrive with the kind of technology involved. They’ll often be engaging with IT experts and should be able to understand not only what they’re sharing but have enough knowledge to note areas that could be improved and offer suggestions for better approaches.
An interest in emerging technology is also highly useful, not only for the organization but for how the audit is conducted. A tech-savvy auditor is more likely to use auditing software and innovative means to streamline the process for all.
As mentioned, an auditor will inevitably engage with multiple people in an organization to build their report. That kind of work can be quite disruptive in the wrong hands, especially when auditors come in with a removed attitude.
Auditors may have the burden of impartiality, but that by no means should prevent them from being collaborative. A team-oriented spirit from an auditor often makes others in an organization feel more comfortable sharing their work, answering questions, and assisting in the audit.
The purpose of cybersecurity audits is to move organizations forward. An auditor who can lead the work with an inspiring, positive attitude can help foster that intention better and result in more changes and innovations being taken on.
Auditors, in many ways, are investigators. They are hired to come in and pick apart an organization’s cybersecurity and compliance, and to do so requires hours of listening. They’ll need to hear from multiple sides of an organization and, to get the best insight, have the skill of simply letting people talk and feel heard. Active listening is just as important as strong communication. Together, these skills can make for a truly great auditor.
With cybersecurity audits especially, auditors will likely be faced with large volumes of information that need to be sorted through in a relatively short time frame. That’s not even mentioning the predictions and suggestions that need to be made based on that data as well. Without the right skills or mindset, it’s easy for someone to get overwhelmed.
On the other hand, someone comfortable working with data analytics and embracing innovation often thrives. They’re able to take a risk-based approach and use analytics to assess where their attention is needed most. This saves time and often results in a more focused final report.
Conducting an audit from a cybersecurity standpoint first and a cybersecurity audit are its own beasts that requires a specialized set of skills and knowledge. Whether an organization is seeking to meet EU regulations or federal and state regulations in the US, the auditor needs to be equipped to handle a range of audit and certification services.
There also needs to be a strong understanding of cybersecurity strategy. Though there are basic accepted cybersecurity practices, the application of them will always adjust according to the exact needs of an organization. That’s why working with an auditor who is comfortable and highly knowledgeable in the world of cybersecurity and a cybersecurity standpoint first matters so much.
A truly great auditor offers both hard and soft skills. They have a firm grasp of technical concepts and innovative cybersecurity approaches while also being strong communicators and listeners.
That’s, at least, how we’ve built our team of cybersecurity specialists at Prescient Security, and it’s why achieving your certification with us isn’t just a matter of meeting compliance. Our assessments are designed to go deeper, providing actionable insights and solutions tailored to your organization that will ultimately strengthen your security so that you come out of the auditing process better than when you entered, equipped with the demonstrations of excellence necessary to take on necessary business risks, forge innovation, enter new markets, and achieve greater organizational goals.