What does an IT auditor do?

Information technology has become one of the best allies for companies and organisations around the world because it not only allows them to manage their business more efficiently, but it is also a valuable source of information for making strategic decisions. However, organisations need to collect and process this data in the most secure and efficient way possible, for which they must have the profile of a computer auditor.

But what does that role involve? In this post, we’ll tell you about the main tasks of an IT auditor. And if you are interested in a career in this type of position, then you should consider the degree in Computer Engineering at Universidad Europea.

What is IT auditing?

An IT audit is a critical analysis of the information systems used by the company with the aim of evaluating their efficiency. It also verifies that the information collection and use it complies with current regulations. In addition, an IT audit will assess and diagnose any issues with the management of computer resources and highlight any improvements that need to be made, if any.

However, there are different types of computer audit. For example, a company can carry out a technological audit to assess what new equipment, tools and systems need to be updated. Another type of audit is innovative comparison audit to analyse its where the company is at in terms of innovation compared with competitors who may also be looking to get ahead in the game.

An IT auditor is a professional in charge of evaluating the processes related to the information technologies of the company, as well as its technological infrastructure, to ensure that they conform to its main activity and offer viable solutions for the problems detected.

What IT auditors do

The computer auditor, also known as a systems auditor or IT auditor, performs different functions within a company. Their responsibilities may vary depending on the size of the company, sector, or country in which they work. The following is are examples of tasks that an IT auditor tends to carry out:

• Prepares the audit schedule for the company and clients, taking into account the audit standards established by the organisation and current regulations.
• Analyses the current situation of the company's information technology systems and processes, preparing a report that summarises the results of each audit performed.
• Controls and verifies the operation of internal computer systems, including networks, software, programs, communication and security systems or any other service that depends on the technological infrastructure.
• Detects the risks posed by the IT environment, operating systems, and company networks and telecommunications to prevent possible cyberattacks and data diversion.
• Design solutions for problems or errors found in the audit and propose new strategies to improve computer systems and make more efficient use of them.

What does it take to be an auditor?

The profile of the IT auditor includes certain transversal skills that are independent of the sector where they work. A computer auditor must have good communication skills that allow them to transmit the results of their work to people who are not specialists in their sector, as well as have critical and analytical thinking that helps them detect errors and areas for improvement or trends and patterns that could represent a problem in computer systems.

In addition to these characteristics, an IT auditor must possess a series of technical skills, with an emphasis on security skills. The computer auditor must master the basics of IT security and infrastructure and be aware of the main security risks that this technology implies. They must also be familiar with data analysis and visualisation tools, as well as internal audit standards (MAR, SOX, COBIT and COSO).