Cybersecurity audit and IT risk assessment in Corsica
A cybersecurity audit is a structured review of your tools, access rights and working practices that measures your IT risks and ranks them by priority. We carry out audits from Bastia for SMEs, startups and public bodies, and turn the findings into a realistic action plan that fits your resources.
Security audit, risk assessment, health check: what is the difference?
These three terms describe related approaches of differing depth. A security health check is a quick first snapshot: it spots the most visible weaknesses and any urgent measures.
A security audit goes further. It methodically examines the configuration of your computers, servers, network, accounts, backups and websites, as well as your working habits, and compares them with recognised recommendations such as those of ANSSI, the French national cybersecurity agency.
An IT risk assessment starts from your business rather than the technology. It identifies what matters most to you, such as customer data, invoicing or your online shop, what could happen to it and how serious that would be. This is what tells you where to invest first.
Unlike a penetration test, an audit does not try to exploit vulnerabilities: it assesses your organisation as a whole to measure its risks.
When a cybersecurity audit makes sense
- 01
You have never taken stock
Your IT has grown over the years, through several providers, and nobody has the full picture.
- 02
Your business is growing
New staff, remote working, a second site, new online software: every change adds access that needs keeping under control.
- 03
You have received a questionnaire
A customer, public-sector buyer or insurer asks you to describe your security measures, and you want to answer accurately.
- 04
After an incident
Once things are back to normal, an audit helps you understand what made the incident possible and stop it happening again.
IT risk assessment: examples by sector
- 01
Shops and trades
Till, invoicing software, email and backups: the main concern is to keep working and not lose your data.
- 02
Hospitality and tourism
Booking software, guest Wi-Fi, payments: the aim is to separate what is open to the public from what must stay internal.
- 03
Professional practices
Client or patient files, professional secrecy and GDPR obligations: confidentiality comes first.
- 04
Startups
Online services, developer access, user data: solid foundations from day one avoid costly fixes later.
- 05
Local authorities and public bodies
Residents' data, continuity of public services, many sites and staff: the assessment helps rank a long list of needs.
The stages of an IT security audit
As with any cybersecurity engagement, the scope and the planned technical checks are set out in writing and authorised by you beforehand.
- 01
Understand
Interviews with management and key people to understand your business, tools, providers and what worries you most.
- 02
Inventory
A list of devices, software, accounts, data and external access. This simple inventory often brings forgotten items to light.
- 03
Examine
A review of configurations, access rights, updates, backups and email, remotely or on site, in Haute-Corse or elsewhere.
- 04
Assess
Each risk is rated by likelihood and impact on your business, in the spirit of the methods published by ANSSI.
- 05
Report back
Results presented in plain English, together with the prioritised action plan.
What you receive at the end of the audit
- 01
A management summary
A few jargon-free pages summarising your level of exposure and the decisions to be made.
- 02
A map of your systems
A simple view of your systems, your data and how they connect, useful well beyond security.
- 03
A risk register
The risks identified, their severity and the measures that reduce them.
- 04
A prioritised action plan
Quick wins to put in place straight away, then larger projects to schedule, each with the effort involved.
- 05
What comes next
You are free to implement the plan with your own team, your usual provider or with us, through a hardening and remediation engagement. A follow-up review, on a date of your choosing, measures the progress made.
Getting the most from your audit: points to check
- 01
A clear scope
The whole organisation or a single site, internal IT only or online services too: the scope must be written down.
- 02
The right people available
An audit relies on interviews. Set aside time for management and for the people who use the tools every day.
- 03
Your providers in the loop
Your managed IT provider, hosting company or software vendors sometimes hold essential information; it is best to let them know.
- 04
Recommendations that fit
A plan that assumes a large-company budget will never be applied. Insist on priorities suited to your size.
- 05
A confidential report
It describes your weak points, so it should be protected, shared with few people and stored safely.
What determines the cost of a cybersecurity audit
The quote is prepared after an initial conversation, once the scope is defined. It depends mainly on the following.
- 01
Size of the organisation
The number of computers, servers, users and locations.
- 02
Depth of analysis
A quick health check, a full audit or a detailed risk assessment.
- 03
Number of interviews
Depending on how many departments and people we need to meet.
- 04
Travel
Remote work or time on your premises, in Corsica or on the mainland.
- 05
Technical checks
A configuration review only, or one complemented by targeted, authorised tests on certain systems.
Technologies and methods
- Risk assessment
- ANSSI recommendations
- Configuration audit
- IT system mapping
- Prioritised action plan
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an audit and a penetration test?
An audit examines your whole organisation, technology and practices included, to measure risk. A penetration test focuses on a precise scope and checks, through authorised simulated attacks, what can really be exploited. The two complement each other.
Do we need an IT department to have an audit?
No. The audit is designed precisely for organisations without one. All you need is someone who knows your tools day to day and, if you have them, your providers' contact details.
Will the audit disrupt our work?
Very little. Interviews are scheduled with you, and most technical checks simply involve reading configurations at agreed times.
Will the audit make us GDPR-compliant?
It covers data security, which is one of the GDPR's requirements, but not compliance as a whole, which also has legal and organisational aspects. Our findings help you document your security measures.
What happens if you find a serious flaw during the audit?
We tell you immediately, without waiting for the final report, and point out the protective measure to take first.