Do you conduct regular internal security audits? Describe scope and frequency.
Explanation & Context
Explanation of the Question
This question is asking whether your organization performs routine checks on its own security practices and measures. An internal security audit is a systematic review of the organization's security policies, procedures, and systems to ensure they are effective, compliant with relevant standards, and aligned with the organization's security goals. The question also asks for the scope and frequency of these audits. Scope refers to what areas or systems are included in the audits, while frequency indicates how often these audits are conducted.
Why It Matters
Regular internal security audits are crucial because they help identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with security policies, and verify that security measures are working as intended. By conducting these audits, organizations can proactively address security weaknesses before they are exploited by attackers. Additionally, regular audits demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a secure environment, which can be important for compliance with industry regulations and for building trust with customers and partners.
Example of Evidence
To demonstrate that your organization conducts regular internal security audits, you could provide documentation such as audit reports, schedules, and summaries of findings and actions taken. For instance, you might show a yearly audit schedule that outlines when different parts of the organization are reviewed, along with reports from recent audits that detail the scope, findings, and any corrective actions implemented. This evidence should clearly show the systematic and recurring nature of your internal security audits.
Example Responses
Example Response 1
We conduct quarterly internal security audits focused on our application security, data protection measures, and compliance with relevant security standards. These audits are performed by our dedicated security team and include reviews of our Heroku-hosted infrastructure, access controls, and incident response procedures.
Example Response 2
Our organization performs bi-annual comprehensive internal security audits that cover all aspects of our AWS-hosted infrastructure, including network security, cloud resource configurations, and data encryption practices. These audits involve cross-functional teams and are aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
Example Response 3
As our software is exclusively on-premises and tailored to client specifications, we do not conduct regular internal security audits in the traditional sense. However, we perform security reviews as part of our development and deployment processes to ensure that our solutions meet client-specific security requirements and industry standards.

