IT Assessments 101: What To Expect and Where To Start
Knowing where your organization’s IT stands is the precursor for effectively improving it.
All businesses, regardless of their size or their type, depend on technology. But actually understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your technical environment can be incredibly challenging.
An IT assessment is one of the most effective ways to get a clear picture of what your information technology and data security looks like, what you’re already doing well and which areas you should prioritize for improvement.
How do I know which type of IT assessment my company needs?
There are three main categories of IT assessments: general cybersecurity assessments, targeted technical assessments and gap analyses. Each type of assessment has a different objective when evaluating your organization’s technology.
General Cybersecurity Assessment
A general cybersecurity assessment provides a comprehensive look at your overall security so you can gain a high-level understanding of your current environment.
Targeted Technical Assessment
A targeted technical assessment looks at how specific areas of your technology are configured. With this type of assessment, you can gain deeper insights into one aspect of your environment, such as your firewall, your email or a web application.
Gap Analysis
A gap analysis evaluates how your organization’s activities align with industry regulations (such as HIPAA, GDPR and PCI) and assesses your compliance.
Choosing Your Assessment Type
Businesses should choose the type of assessment based on their specific needs or priorities.
For example, you might not need a gap analysis if you don’t have explicit compliance obligations, but you may benefit from a targeted technical assessment of a specific area of your business. On the other hand, a general cybersecurity assessment could reveal areas of your business that could benefit from a targeted technical assessment.
Your technology advisor can help you determine which type of assessment will ultimately be the most beneficial for your unique organization.
What’s the difference between an internal IT assessment and an external IT assessment?
An internal assessment is essentially a self-assessment in which your own IT team assess your organization’s IT. Internal assessments are incredibly helpful to check up on your IT health periodically or to measure your progress towards goals you’ve set.
In a third-party assessment, an objective party conducts the evaluation of your organization’s IT. This type of assessment reviews your IT team’s work in light of the current threat landscape and in comparison to similar organizations.
Both internal assessments and external assessments are part of a robust cybersecurity plan.
How long does an IT assessment take? Will it disrupt my organization’s operations?
The length of an assessment depends on the type and scope of the assessment, but most can be conducted over the course of a few weeks.
Some conversations and activities may inevitably divert some resources during your assessment period, but your technology advisor can help you schedule the assessment so that it minimizes the impact on your organization.
Many organizations find that, even if an assessment does take some time and resources, the results of testing can uncover opportunities to streamline operations, which ultimately can save both time and money in the long run.
What should I look for in a third-party assessor?
Selecting a qualified vendor to conduct a third-party assessment is critical. When looking for a provider, consider their experience, their approach to privacy and the way they communicate results.
- Experience – While certifications like CISSP are certainly helpful, experience in conducting IT assessments is the most important thing to look for in a vendor.
- Privacy – Look for a vendor who prioritizes your data privacy. (Your provider should not send or request sensitive information over email.)
- Results – Be sure to choose a vendor who is willing to convey the assessment results in a way you can easily understand and effectively implement.
What happens after my IT assessment is over?
At the end of your IT assessment, your provider should give you a formal and thorough report outlining:
- The vulnerabilities discovered during the assessment
- A prioritized list of what to fix first
- Recommendations for remediation
Using this documentation, your provider will work with you to communicate the assessment results internally to your stakeholders and formulate a plan to correct the vulnerabilities identified.
How often should my business have an IT assessment conducted?
As technology changes, so does the threat landscape. At a minimum, businesses should have their IT assessed by a third party annually.
Learn More and Get Started With IT Assessment Services
IT assessments are a vital tool for businesses to fully understand their technology and to protect against threats. After all, it’s hard to address a vulnerability you haven’t discovered yet.
If you’d like to learn more about IT assessments or understand more about what your organization should expect from the process, reach out to Warren Averett Technology Group.
