Comprehensive IT Audit and Assurance: Processes, Roles, and Compliance

What are the main phases of the IT audit process?

Planning, Fieldwork, Reporting, Follow-up

What is Information Technology (IT)?

The use of computer systems to create, store, retrieve, and transfer information

What is an audit?

The examination and evaluation of something to determine whether it is working as intended

What is an IT audit?

A review of technology systems to ensure they are secure, reliable, and compliant with regulations

What is the main goal of an IT audit?

To assess how well technology supports business objectives while managing risk and compliance

How does IT audit help management?

By identifying risks, improving performance, and strengthening IT governance

Why is IT audit important to organizations?

It gives confidence that technology is functioning properly and risks are controlled

What does 'independent assurance on controls' mean?

Confirming that security, availability, integrity, and privacy controls are well designed and operating effectively

How does IT audit improve risk management?

It translates technical risks into business risks and helps prioritize actions that reduce risk the most

What regulatory and compliance areas does IT audit support?

SOX, SOC, PCI, HIPAA, privacy laws, and internal policies

How does IT audit contribute to reliable systems and data?

By validating controls over access, changes, backups, recovery, and data processing

Why does IT audit improve trust in reports and analytics?

Because it ensures data accuracy, system availability, and proper controls

What is the purpose of the 3 Lines of Defense model?

To define clear roles and responsibilities for managing and overseeing risk

Who makes up the First Line of Defense?

Operational staff such as product owners, service teams, and business managers

What is the responsibility of the First Line of Defense?

Running the business and managing risks as part of daily operations

Who makes up the first line of defense?

Operational staff such as product owners, service teams, and business managers

What is the responsibility of the First Line of Defense?

Running the business and managing risks as part of daily operations

Who makes up the Second Line of Defense?

Compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity teams

What is the role of the Second Line of Defense?

Setting policies, monitoring risk, and ensuring operations stay within risk appetite

Who makes up the Third Line of Defense?

: Internal auditors, including IT auditors

What is the role of the Third Line of Defense?

test whether the company’s controls are designed right and working as intended

Why is independence important for the Third Line of Defense?

It ensures objective and unbiased evaluation of controls

What is an internal auditor?

An employee of the organization who helps improve controls and processes

What is an external auditor?

An independent auditor hired to give stakeholders confidence in the company.

What does an IT auditor specialize in?

Technology systems, applications, and IT controls