Think of information technology audit services as a comprehensive health check-up for your company’s digital systems. Just like your doctor examines various aspects of your health, IT audits thoroughly evaluate your technology infrastructure, controls, and processes to spot potential problems before they become serious issues.
These specialized assessments do more than just identify technical vulnerabilities – they help protect your most valuable digital assets and prevent costly breaches that could harm your business reputation and bottom line. For Michigan businesses navigating an increasingly complex digital world, these audits have become essential.
What exactly happens during an IT audit? Our team conducts a systematic examination of everything from your network infrastructure and applications to your data protection policies and security procedures. The goal is simple: find weak spots, ensure you’re meeting regulatory requirements, and verify that your security controls actually work as intended.
The numbers speak for themselves. Organizations that invest in regular IT audits are 50% less likely to experience major data breaches compared to those that don’t. This statistic alone explains why 82% of organizations now report technology risk as a significant board-level concern, according to Protiviti’s 2023 IT Audit Survey.
For mid-sized businesses across Grand Rapids, Detroit, and throughout Michigan, information technology audit services offer a perfect balance – you get the expertise of specialized professionals without the overhead of maintaining a full internal audit department.
“Don’t let IT risks derail your business goals,” is advice we often share with clients. This simple principle captures why these services matter – they help identify and address technology risks before they can impact your operations or customer relationships.
Beyond just security benefits, a well-executed IT audit delivers tangible business value by:
- Streamlining operations through the identification of redundant controls
- Building stakeholder confidence in your digital systems
- Providing solid evidence of due diligence when dealing with regulators
- Uncovering opportunities for technological improvement
Why Information Technology Audit Services Matter
At Kraft Business Systems, we’ve seen how information technology audit services strengthen our clients’ technology foundations across Michigan. These assessments deliver value that goes far beyond simply checking regulatory boxes.
Governance and Accountability
Clear lines of responsibility matter. IT audits help establish who’s responsible for what within your technology ecosystem, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. As one of our Grand Rapids clients recently shared, “Before our audit, responsibilities were fuzzy. Now everyone from our board to our IT staff knows exactly what they’re accountable for.”
Stakeholder Trust
Your customers, partners, and investors want reassurance that their data is safe with you. An independent IT audit provides that confidence, showing your commitment to protecting sensitive information. This is particularly important for Michigan businesses working with automotive suppliers, healthcare providers, and financial institutions where data security expectations are exceptionally high.
Cost Avoidance
The numbers are sobering. The average data breach now costs companies $4.45 million. Ransomware recovery often exceeds $1.85 million per incident. And regulatory fines for preventable security failures can reach into the millions.
A thorough IT audit spots vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, potentially saving your organization from these significant financial hits. Think of it as an insurance policy that actually helps prevent the disaster from happening in the first place.
Competitive Edge
In competitive markets like Detroit or Grand Rapids, strong IT governance can set you apart. When bidding on contracts or forming new partnerships, the ability to provide evidence of a clean IT audit report often tips decisions in your favor. We’ve seen clients win business specifically because they could demonstrate their commitment to security through regular audits.
How Information Technology Audit Services Reduce Risk
Comprehensive Threat Identification
You can’t fix what you don’t know about. Information technology audit services provide a systematic approach to uncovering threats across your entire IT environment. Unlike simple security scans that only scratch the surface, our comprehensive audits examine your organization from multiple angles – external threats like hackers, internal vulnerabilities like access control issues, process weaknesses, and compliance gaps.
This thorough approach ensures we don’t miss potential risks to your business. As one client put it, “I was amazed at what the audit uncovered – things we never would have spotted on our own.”
Control Validation
Having security controls is one thing; knowing they actually work is entirely different. Our IT audits test the effectiveness of your controls through hands-on testing – we don’t just check if controls exist on paper.
A manufacturing client in Lansing finded during an audit that their backup system – which they assumed was working perfectly – had actually been failing silently for months. Finding this issue allowed them to fix it before disaster struck and data was lost.
Continuous Improvement Framework
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of information technology audit services is how they establish a cycle of ongoing improvement. Each audit builds upon previous findings, tracking remediation efforts and identifying new areas for improvement as technology and threats evolve.
This progressive approach transforms security from a one-time project into an ongoing program that grows with your business. For Michigan companies facing constantly evolving cyber threats, this continuous improvement model provides peace of mind and practical protection.
Key Audit Types, Frameworks & Regulations
The world of information technology audit services is like a toolkit with specialized instruments for each part of your tech environment. At Kraft Business Systems, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, we carefully select the right audit types based on what your business actually needs.
Think of these different audit types as spotlights that illuminate specific corners of your technology landscape:
| Audit Type | Primary Focus | Common Frameworks | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT General Controls | Foundational controls across systems | COBIT, COSO | Establishes baseline security |
| Cybersecurity | Threat protection capabilities | NIST CSF, CIS Controls | Identifies security gaps |
| Compliance | Regulatory requirements | SOX, HIPAA, GDPR | Reduces regulatory risk |
| Application | Software controls & integrity | OWASP, ISO 25010 | Ensures reliable processing |
| Business Continuity | Disaster recovery & resilience | ISO 22301, NIST 800-34 | Prepares for disruptions |
Did you know that over 75% of organizations rely on established frameworks like NIST, COBIT, or ISO for their IT audits? These aren’t just fancy acronyms – they’re structured roadmaps that ensure we don’t miss anything important when examining your systems.
IT General Controls & Infrastructure Reviews
IT General Controls form the foundation of everything else in your tech environment. Think of them as the locks, alarms, and basic safety features of your digital house.
Access Management is all about who can enter your systems and what they can touch once inside. We often hear clients say, “We thought we knew who had access to what” – until our audit reveals forgotten accounts and excessive permissions that create real risk.
Jeff V., one of our clients, put it best: “Their depth of testing is like nothing I’ve seen from other vendors.” His team was surprised to find several backdoor access points they never knew existed.
Change Control might sound boring, but it’s actually critical. Unplanned or poorly tested changes are like throwing wrenches into machinery – they cause most major outages and security incidents. We look at how changes are requested, tested, approved, and implemented to prevent these problems.
Operations Management examines your day-to-day IT procedures. Are backups actually working? How do you monitor systems? What happens when something breaks? For our manufacturing clients in Sterling Heights and Warren, we pay special attention to where IT systems connect with production equipment – often a blind spot in many audits.
Cybersecurity & Penetration Testing Audits
With cyber threats getting more sophisticated by the day, dedicated security assessments are essential. These go beyond basic controls to actively test your defenses.
Network Security Assessments examine your digital perimeter and internal barriers. We check firewall rules, network design, intrusion systems, and remote access points to identify potential entry paths for attackers.
Vulnerability Assessments systematically scan for technical weaknesses across your environment. We look for missing patches, security flaws, misconfigurations, and those pesky default passwords that so often get overlooked.
Penetration Testing takes vulnerability assessment a step further. Instead of just identifying weaknesses, we actually try to exploit them (with your permission, of course!) to show real-world impact. It’s like hiring friendly burglars to test your security system before the real criminals arrive.
Social Engineering tests the human element. The truth is, your people are often your biggest security vulnerability. A client in Traverse City was shocked when 63% of their staff fell for our simulated phishing attacks. After targeted training, that number dropped to just 12% – a dramatic improvement in their human firewall.
Compliance & Regulatory Audits
For businesses facing specific regulatory requirements, compliance-focused audits help you steer complex rules while avoiding expensive penalties.
SOX 404 Assessments focus on financial reporting systems for public companies. We document controls, test their effectiveness, and help remediate any issues before they impact your financial statements.
HIPAA Security Rule Compliance is critical for healthcare organizations across Michigan. We examine your safeguards for protecting patient information and ensure you meet all the technical, administrative, and physical requirements.
PCI DSS Compliance matters for any business handling credit cards. We check everything from network security to access controls to help you maintain compliance and avoid costly fines.
GDPR and Privacy Compliance has become increasingly important as privacy regulations expand. We help map your data flows, review consent mechanisms, and ensure you’re prepared to respond to data breaches or consumer requests.
You can learn more about navigating these requirements with our IT Compliance Consulting Services.
Application & Data Integrity Audits
Your business applications drive critical processes, making their security and reliability essential to operations.
Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Reviews examine how you build or customize software. We check for security at each stage – from requirements through coding, testing, and release management – to prevent vulnerabilities from being built into your systems.
ERP and Business Application Controls focus on your core business systems. We verify proper configuration, separation of duties, and automated controls to ensure data integrity and prevent fraud.
Data Governance Assessments look at how you manage your information assets. We review classification, quality controls, and access restrictions to protect your valuable data.
Privacy Impact Assessments evaluate how systems handle personal information. We check for privacy by design, data minimization, and proper legal basis for processing sensitive information.
For more insights on protecting your data, check out our guide to Information Security Compliance Tools.
Resilience, DR & BCP Assessments
Business disruptions happen – whether from natural disasters, cyberattacks, or good old-fashioned human error. Resilience audits ensure you’re ready when (not if) they occur.
Disaster Recovery Planning focuses on technical recovery capabilities. We validate your backup strategies, recovery time objectives, and technical procedures to ensure you can restore systems when needed.
Business Continuity Planning takes a broader view of organizational recovery. We help identify critical functions, alternative processing methods, and communication plans to keep your business running during disruptions.
Ransomware Preparedness has become essential as these attacks continue to rise. We check your prevention controls, detection capabilities, isolation procedures, and recovery strategies to minimize impact if you’re targeted.
For businesses across Michigan – from urban Detroit to small towns like Benzonia – disaster recovery needs vary widely based on local risks and infrastructure. We tailor our approach to your specific geographic challenges and business requirements.
Want to learn more about protecting your business? Our IT Security Audit Services and IT Security Risk Assessment resources provide additional guidance for strengthening your security posture.
The Audit Lifecycle: Planning to Remediation
Think of an information technology audit like a health checkup for your business systems. Just as your doctor follows a clear process to check your health, our audit team at Kraft Business Systems follows a proven methodology that we’ve refined through years of serving Michigan businesses.
Our approach isn’t about finding faults just to point fingers. Instead, we focus on helping you build stronger, more secure systems through a thoughtful four-phase process:
- Planning & Scoping: We start by understanding what matters most to your business
- Fieldwork & Testing: Then we roll up our sleeves and examine your systems in detail
- Reporting & Communication: We translate technical findings into business language
- Remediation & Follow-up: Finally, we help you fix issues and verify improvements
This cycle creates a continuous improvement loop that strengthens your security over time. Let’s look at each phase in more detail.
Risk-Based Planning & Scoping
Good planning makes all the difference in an effective IT audit. This first phase ensures we focus our attention where it matters most – your highest risk areas.
Asset Inventory & Classification
You’d be surprised how many organizations don’t have a complete picture of their technology assets. We start by creating a comprehensive inventory that covers everything from servers in Grand Rapids to cloud services accessed from your remote teams.
“During an inventory for a client in Kalamazoo, we finded three separate shadow IT systems that even their CIO didn’t know existed,” shares one of our senior auditors. “Those systems contained sensitive customer data but lacked proper security controls.”
Inherent Risk Assessment
Not all systems carry equal risk. We help you identify which systems need the most attention by evaluating factors like data sensitivity, system complexity, regulatory requirements, and business criticality.
For example, a manufacturing system controlling production in your Detroit facility likely carries different risks than an employee directory in your HR department. We help you understand these differences so you can allocate resources wisely.
Audit Scope Definition
With risks identified, we define a clear scope that specifies exactly which systems we’ll examine and what control objectives we’ll evaluate. This focused approach ensures audit resources are used efficiently and targets the areas that matter most to your business.
Fieldwork: Control Testing & Evidence Gathering
With planning complete, our team begins the detailed work of evaluating your controls and gathering evidence. This hands-on phase reveals how your systems actually work – not just how they’re supposed to work.
Process Walkthroughs
We believe in getting the full picture through conversations with your team. By walking through processes step-by-step, we often spot gaps between documented procedures and daily practices.
As one client in Flint told us: “Your auditors asked questions no one had thought to ask before. They uncovered a serious security gap in how we were handling customer data transfers – something we fixed immediately.”
Control Testing
Our testing goes beyond simple checkbox compliance. We use multiple methods to thoroughly evaluate your controls:
We ask questions to understand processes, observe procedures being performed, review documentation and configurations, independently execute control activities, and use specialized tools to validate security.
Unlike firms that rely heavily on sampling, we conduct more comprehensive checks that produce more accurate results with fewer false positives.
Evidence Collection
Throughout testing, we gather evidence to support our findings. This might include system configurations, access control lists, policy documents, log files, and screenshots.
For healthcare clients in Ann Arbor or financial services firms in Grand Rapids, this evidence collection proves particularly valuable when demonstrating compliance to regulators. We know exactly what documentation you’ll need to satisfy their requirements.
Reporting & Executive Communication
An audit report gathering dust on a shelf helps no one. That’s why we focus on creating clear, actionable reports that speak to different audiences within your organization.
Finding Classification
We classify findings based on severity – from critical issues requiring immediate action to informational items that represent improvement opportunities. This classification helps your team prioritize their response efforts.
“The clear risk ratings helped us focus our limited resources on the most important issues first,” noted the IT Director of a mid-sized manufacturing firm in Sterling Heights.
Root Cause Analysis
Understanding why issues exist is crucial for effective remediation. We dig deeper to identify whether problems stem from technology limitations, resource constraints, knowledge gaps, process deficiencies, or governance weaknesses.
This root cause analysis helps you address the source of problems, not just their symptoms.
Recommendation Development
We provide practical, risk-based recommendations custom to your business reality. These include both short-term tactical fixes and long-term strategic improvements, along with implementation considerations and resource requirements.
We won’t recommend expensive enterprise solutions when simpler approaches would work for your business size and needs.
Executive Reporting
Different stakeholders need different levels of detail. We create custom communications for various audiences:
Your board members receive executive summaries focused on risk oversight. Senior managers get strategic findings with resource implications. IT leaders receive technical details and implementation guidance. And operational teams get specific remediation instructions.
Follow-Up & Continuous Monitoring
The audit doesn’t end when we deliver the report. The real value comes from addressing the findings and improving your security posture.
Remediation Planning
We help you convert findings into actionable plans by assigning clear responsibility, establishing realistic timelines, defining success criteria, and prioritizing based on risk.
For smaller teams with limited resources, we can even help you sequence remediations to maximize security improvements while minimizing disruption to your business.
Action Tracking
Many of our Michigan clients leverage our TRAC Action Tracking tool to monitor progress toward resolution. This specialized tracking system provides real-time visibility into remediation efforts and generates board-ready reports for governance committees.
“The tracking dashboard made a huge difference in our ability to show progress to our board,” shared a client from Traverse City. “Instead of vague updates, we could show exactly what had been fixed and what was still in progress.”
Continuous Control Monitoring
Moving beyond point-in-time assessments to ongoing validation helps you maintain security between formal audits. Through automated control testing, key risk indicators, and periodic reassessments, we help you stay secure year-round.
This approach is particularly valuable for businesses facing rapidly evolving threats or operating in regulated industries like healthcare or financial services. An IT Security Risk Assessment provides the foundation for this ongoing monitoring.
At Kraft Business Systems, we’ve designed our information technology audit services to be thorough yet practical. We understand the unique challenges facing Michigan businesses, and we’re committed to helping you build stronger, more secure technology environments.
Selecting & Sourcing Your IT Audit Partner
Choosing the right partner for your information technology audit services is like finding a trusted advisor for your business. This decision shapes not only the quality of your assessment but also the practical value you’ll gain from the entire process. At Kraft Business Systems, we’ve designed our services to flex and adapt to your unique needs, whether you’re a growing manufacturer in Warren or a healthcare provider in Ann Arbor.
Outsourcing vs In-House: Pros & Cons
Many Michigan organizations wrestle with this fundamental choice: build internal audit capabilities or bring in outside experts? Let’s break down what each approach offers.
When you choose to outsource your IT audits, you immediately tap into specialized expertise that would take years to develop internally. Our consultants bring fresh perspectives from working across multiple industries and technologies. They’re also naturally independent – free from office politics and able to call out issues that internal teams might hesitate to raise.
“We hired external auditors because they could see things we couldn’t,” shared Mike, an IT Director from Grand Rapids. “They spotted three critical security gaps our team had simply grown accustomed to.”
Outsourcing also makes financial sense for many businesses. Rather than carrying the year-round salary and training costs of specialized audit staff, you pay only for the expertise when you need it. This approach gives you access to a deeper bench of specialists than most organizations could afford to maintain in-house.
On the flip side, internal audit teams offer valuable advantages too. They carry deep institutional knowledge about your systems and culture. They’re always available, building relationships with your operational teams over time. For organizations with constant audit needs, the predictable staffing costs and opportunity to develop internal talent can be compelling benefits.
Co-Sourcing & Staff Augmentation
What if you could have the best of both worlds? That’s exactly what many Michigan businesses are finding through co-sourcing arrangements.
This flexible approach allows you to maintain a core internal team while bringing in specialists for technical areas or busy periods. Picture your internal team handling routine assessments while our experts tackle complex cybersecurity testing or cloud controls evaluation. When audit season hits its peak, you can scale up resources without the permanent overhead.
Beyond just completing audits, co-sourcing creates valuable knowledge transfer. Your team learns from our experts, developing specialized skills and adopting best practices that strengthen your organization long after the engagement ends.
A manufacturing client in Lansing started with us for a comprehensive security assessment, then shifted to a co-sourcing model where their team managed day-to-day compliance while we provided specialized penetration testing and quality checks. “It’s like having an expert mentor for our internal team,” their CISO explained. “We’ve grown our capabilities while maintaining that outside perspective.”
Must-Have Auditor Qualifications
Whether you’re building an internal team or evaluating external partners, certain qualifications signal that an auditor has the right expertise for the job.
Professional certifications matter because they validate specialized knowledge. The CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) remains the gold standard for IT audit professionals. For security-focused assessments, look for the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) credential. Other valuable certifications include the CISM for security management expertise, CRISC for risk specialists, and CPAs with IT specialization who bridge financial and technology disciplines.
Just as important is industry experience. An auditor who has worked extensively in manufacturing will understand the unique challenges of operational technology security. Healthcare specialists will know the nuances of HIPAA compliance and electronic health record controls. This contextual knowledge helps auditors focus on what matters most for your specific situation.
Don’t overlook the importance of soft skills. The most effective IT auditors can translate complex technical concepts into language business leaders understand. They blend analytical thinking with collaborative approaches, working with your team rather than against them. They manage projects efficiently and maintain a learning mindset to stay current with evolving technologies and threats.
Tailoring Services to Your Industry Risk Profile
Technology risks vary dramatically across industries, which is why at Kraft Business Systems, we customize our information technology audit services to align with your specific sector and regulatory environment.
Financial institutions across Michigan face intense scrutiny from regulators. Our financial services audits address GLBA compliance, FFIEC guidance, and payment card processing controls. We examine customer authentication systems, fraud prevention measures, and third-party risk from fintech integrations. Business continuity receives special attention given the critical nature of financial systems.
For healthcare organizations, from large hospital systems in Detroit to small practices in Traverse City, we focus on HIPAA Security Rule compliance and EHR controls. We assess connected medical device security, telehealth platforms, and patient portal protections – areas where privacy breaches could have serious consequences.
Michigan’s manufacturing sector has unique concerns around operational technology. Our manufacturing audits examine industrial control system security, supply chain technology risks, and intellectual property protections. We evaluate quality system validation and application controls in ERP and manufacturing execution systems.
Public sector entities – from city governments to school districts – need specialized approaches too. We address FISMA compliance for federal systems, student data privacy regulations, and open records management. Grant compliance requirements and constituent service security round out these specialized assessments.
By aligning our audit approach with your industry profile, we ensure your resources target the most significant risks and regulatory concerns for your specific business context. This focused approach delivers more value than generic assessments that miss your unique challenges.
Whether you choose to build internal capabilities, fully outsource, or create a hybrid model, the key is finding the right fit for your organization’s size, complexity, and risk profile. At Kraft Business Systems, we’re ready to help you steer these choices with solutions custom to your Michigan business.
Emerging Trends, Common Findings & FAQ
The world of information technology audit services never stands still. As Michigan businesses accept new technologies, fresh challenges and opportunities emerge alongside them. At Kraft Business Systems, we keep our finger on the pulse of these developments, ensuring our clients receive audit services that address both current vulnerabilities and emerging risks.
Common Findings Uncovered in IT Audits
While every organization has its unique challenges, certain issues show up consistently across our audit engagements. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you proactively strengthen your security posture.
Patch Management Deficiencies
“We were shocked to find several critical servers running completely unsupported operating systems,” shared one of our clients in Lansing after their first comprehensive IT audit. This scenario isn’t unusual – many organizations struggle to maintain current patch levels across their environments.
The challenge often stems from inconsistent processes, incomplete vulnerability scanning, or inadequate testing procedures for patches. Some organizations simply lack emergency protocols for critical security updates, leaving systems exposed to known vulnerabilities for extended periods.
Access Control Weaknesses
Access management problems create open doors for unauthorized activities. We regularly find excessive privileges granted to standard users, shared administrative accounts passing between multiple employees, and former employee accounts remaining active long after departure.
A manufacturing client in Grand Rapids finded during their audit that a contractor who had left six months earlier still had active VPN access to their network – a situation they only learned about through our assessment.
Inadequate Segregation of Duties
“We never realized how risky it was to have our developers pushing code directly to production,” admitted an IT director after reviewing their audit findings. Without proper separation of responsibilities, organizations create environments where mistakes or malicious actions can go unchecked.
This issue often manifests as single individuals controlling entire processes or insufficient oversight for privileged activities. For smaller Michigan businesses with limited staff, addressing this challenge requires creative controls and compensating measures.
Incomplete Disaster Recovery Planning
When we ask clients about their backup testing procedures, we often get uncomfortable silence in response. Untested backup systems create a dangerous false sense of security – you think you’re protected until disaster strikes and recovery fails.
Beyond backup testing, we frequently find outdated recovery documentation, unrealistic recovery time objectives, and incomplete business impact analyses. These gaps leave organizations vulnerable to extended downtime when incidents occur.
Third-Party Risk Management Issues
Your security is only as strong as your weakest vendor. During a routine audit for a client in Traverse City, we finded a critical software provider had unfettered, unmonitored access to production systems – a situation the client had no awareness of prior to our assessment.
Poor vendor security assessments, missing right-to-audit clauses in contracts, and incomplete inventories of third-party services create significant blind spots in many organizations’ security programs.
Future Trends Shaping Information Technology Audit Services
The IT audit landscape continues to evolve as technology advances. Understanding these trends helps organizations prepare for tomorrow’s audit requirements.
Cloud-Native Control Frameworks
As Michigan businesses migrate to cloud environments, traditional audit approaches must adapt. Understanding the shared responsibility model becomes critical – knowing exactly where provider responsibilities end and yours begin.
“Many organizations mistakenly assume their cloud provider handles all security aspects,” explains our lead cloud security auditor. “In reality, most breaches in the cloud stem from customer configuration errors, not provider vulnerabilities.”
Modern cloud audits now focus on configuration management, identity controls in distributed environments, API security, and specialized assessments for containers and serverless functions.
AI Governance and Ethics Audits
Artificial intelligence brings powerful capabilities – and new risks requiring specialized audit approaches. For Michigan businesses leveraging AI, evaluations now include algorithm bias testing, data quality assessments for AI training, and verification of explainability mechanisms.
A healthcare client in Ann Arbor recently requested a specialized assessment of their new AI diagnostic tool, focusing not just on security but on the ethical implications and potential biases in the underlying algorithms.
Continuous Controls Monitoring
The days of annual point-in-time audits are giving way to continuous assurance models. Real-time control validation, automated compliance monitoring, and integration with security operations now provide ongoing visibility into control effectiveness.
“Think of it as moving from an annual physical to wearing a fitness tracker that monitors your health continuously,” explains our director of audit services. This approach catches issues earlier and provides a more accurate picture of your security posture.
Privacy-by-Design Validation
With privacy regulations expanding globally, privacy controls have become central to information technology audit services. Modern assessments now evaluate data minimization practices, consent management mechanisms, and processes for fulfilling data subject rights requests.
For Michigan businesses serving global customers, these assessments help steer the complex landscape of international privacy requirements.
Zero Trust Architecture Assessment
“Never trust, always verify” has become the mantra of modern security architectures. Zero trust models require specialized audit approaches focusing on identity-centric security, micro-segmentation effectiveness, and continuous verification mechanisms.
For organizations transitioning to zero trust models, these assessments help validate that implementation aligns with architectural goals and security requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about IT Audits
Are IT audits mandatory for my industry?
The short answer: it depends. Public companies must comply with SOX 404 requirements, healthcare organizations face HIPAA Security Rule mandates, financial institutions must meet GLBA standards, and organizations processing credit cards need PCI DSS assessments.
Even without explicit regulatory requirements, many business partners and insurance providers now expect evidence of regular security assessments. As one client put it, “What started as a compliance checkbox became one of our most valuable risk management tools.”
How often should we schedule an IT audit?
Most organizations benefit from annual comprehensive assessments, with targeted reviews for major changes or specific risk areas throughout the year. The ideal frequency depends on your regulatory environment, rate of technology change, and overall risk profile.
“Think of your comprehensive annual audit as your baseline,” advises our senior consultant. “Then schedule focused assessments whenever you implement significant changes or face new threats.”
What deliverables will we receive?
At Kraft Business Systems, we provide clear, actionable reports custom to different stakeholders. Executives receive strategic summaries highlighting key risks and business impacts, while technical teams get detailed findings with specific remediation steps.
Our clients particularly value our prioritized recommendations that help them address the most critical issues first, maximizing security improvement with limited resources.
How disruptive is an IT audit to our operations?
Modern IT audits are designed to minimize business disruption. Many assessments can be performed remotely or during off-hours, and technical testing is carefully planned to avoid impacts on production systems.
“We work around your schedule, not the other way around,” is our approach at Kraft. We understand that Michigan businesses can’t put operations on hold for an assessment, so we adapt our methods to your operational requirements.
How do we prepare for an IT audit?
Good preparation makes a tremendous difference in audit efficiency and value. Gathering key documentation in advance, ensuring key personnel availability, and creating a current inventory of systems in scope all help streamline the process.
Many clients find it helpful to address known issues before the audit begins – this allows the assessment to focus on identifying unknown vulnerabilities rather than documenting problems you’re already aware of.
With proper preparation and expectations, information technology audit services become a valuable partnership that strengthens your security posture and provides peace of mind in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Conclusion
Information technology audit services aren’t just a box to check—they’re a vital part of protecting what you’ve built. These assessments shine a light on the blind spots in your technology environment, helping you stay ahead of threats and meet your compliance obligations.
Here at Kraft Business Systems, we take pride in helping Michigan businesses—whether you’re in busy Detroit, scenic Traverse City, vibrant Grand Rapids, or hardworking Flint—get the most from your technology while keeping your data safe. Our experienced team brings both technical expertise and practical business sense to every audit we perform.
The numbers tell a compelling story: companies that invest in regular IT audits are 50% less likely to experience a major data breach. With breach costs now averaging over $4.45 million, investing in proper assessments simply makes good business sense.
Your technology landscape is constantly changing. Cloud services, artificial intelligence, remote work setups, and connected supply chains create new opportunities—but also new risks that require specialized evaluation approaches. That’s why our audit methodologies evolve alongside these technologies.
When you partner with Kraft Business Systems, you’re not just hiring a vendor. You’re gaining a trusted advisor who understands your business goals and tailors our approach accordingly. We won’t overwhelm you with unnecessary tests or confusing jargon. Instead, we deliver clear, actionable findings that help strengthen your security posture in meaningful ways.
Why wait for a problem to find you? Taking a proactive approach to IT risk management puts you in control. Our comprehensive audit services are designed specifically for today’s complex digital environment, giving you confidence that your systems and data are properly protected.
Start strengthening your security posture today with our IT Solutions suite. Our team is ready to help you steer technology risks and compliance requirements, ensuring your business stays secure, compliant, and ready for whatever comes next.
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