Network Security Audits: What to Check, Fix, and Secure

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Cybersecurity is an ongoing battle between attackers and defenders. To stay ahead, businesses must spot weaknesses and address them before hackers strike. A key tactic? Performing regular network security audits.

This comprehensive guide breaks down what a network security audit is, why it’s essential, and how you can perform one effectively using a clear checklist, and practical steps.

What Is a Network Security Audit

A network security audit is a thorough assessment of your organization’s network infrastructure designed to uncover vulnerabilities, configuration flaws, and gaps in compliance.

By analyzing routers, firewalls, servers, switches, and user permissions, an audit helps you understand your security posture and pinpoint where protections are falling short.

Unlike general security audits, which can be operational, internal, or compliance-based, a network security audit focuses on technical safeguards that keep your systems secure, data protected, and business running smoothly.

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Why Network Security Audits Matter

A network security audit ensures your company isn’t playing catch-up when a threat arises. Here’s why regular audits should be part of your IT strategy:

1. Detect and Fix Vulnerabilities Before Attackers Do

Cybercriminals thrive on unpatched systems and misconfigurations. Just look at the Capital One breach of 2019 , where a misconfigured AWS firewall exposed over 100 million customer records. A routine network audit could have prevented that.

Audits help you:

• Spot exploitable weaknesses
• Close security gaps in real-time
• Validate cloud infrastructure and hybrid environments

2. Safeguard Sensitive Information

From customer PII to financial data, your network holds sensitive information that must be protected. Audits play a key role in enforcing:

• Strong access controls
• Encryption standards
• Regular software updates
• Secure network configurations

Plus, they ensure compliance with data privacy laws like GDPR , PCI DSS , and HIPAA.

3. Optimize Network Performance

Security isn’t just about locking things down, it’s about running efficiently, too. A network security audit:

• Identifies bottlenecks and misused resources
• Flags outdated protocols or software
• Ensures proper segmentation for smoother data flow
• Detects hidden malware or threats slowing systems down

4. Ensure Business Continuity

Downtime is expensive. A proper audit will:

• Test your disaster recovery and incident response plans
• Validate the configuration of backup systems
• Highlight single points of failure
• Strengthen your organization’s resilience during cyber incidents

5. Prove and Maintain Regulatory Compliance

If you operate in a regulated industry, network security audits are non-negotiable. Standards like ISO 27001, HIPAA, SOX, and NIST require strict control over how data is transmitted and stored.

Audits help by:

• Verifying implementation of encryption and segmentation
• Confirming access policies and user privilege restrictions
• Producing documentation needed for external audits

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Types of Network Security Audits

Understanding the types of audits you can perform helps tailor your approach:

• Internal audits: Performed by your in-house IT/security team for regular checkups.
• External audits: Conducted by third-party professionals for an unbiased review.
• Compliance audits: Focused on meeting industry-specific regulations.
• Technical audits: Deep dives into infrastructure, configurations, and systems.

Network security audits typically fall under technical audits but can support compliance efforts as well.

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Areas to Evaluate in a Network Security Audit

When performing a network security audit, it’s important to assess multiple layers of your IT environment.

Key elements include system configurations, user access levels, network segmentation, encryption standards, patch management processes, and your organization’s ability to log and monitor activity effectively.

Below is a detailed network security audit checklist to guide a comprehensive evaluation:

Network Design and Architecture

Evaluate your Network Design and Architecture by analyzing its overall layout. Ensure proper segmentation to contain potential breaches and confirm the use of secure communication protocols. Identify misconfigurations like exposed ports, default settings, or unsecured services that could invite unauthorized access.

Organizational Policies

Examine your Organizational Policies, including those for remote access, encryption, acceptable use, and privacy. Verify they align with security best practices. Confirm operational procedures are consistently followed to avoid risks from unapproved IT systems, often called shadow IT.

Password Management

For Password Management, confirm strong password policies are enforced, covering complexity and regular updates. Check if a secure password manager is in place to manage credentials effectively.

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Access Control and Authentication

Review Access Control and Authentication by checking role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure users access only necessary resources. Validate the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all critical systems to strengthen identity verification.

Firewall and Perimeter Defense

Assess your Firewall and Perimeter Defense. Examine firewall rules and configurations to block unauthorized access and restrict unnecessary services. Test Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) functionality for real-time threat detection and response.

Patch and Update Management

For Patch and Update Management, verify all devices, applications, and systems receive timely security patches and updates. Evaluate automated patch management solutions’ reliability to maintain system integrity.

Endpoint Protection

Inspect Endpoint Protection by checking the deployment and effectiveness of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platforms and Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools. Ensure all endpoint devices are protected with up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software.

Data Security and Encryption

In Data Security and Encryption, ensure sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. Review policies and practices for classifying, handling, and securely disposing of confidential data.

Wireless Network Security

For Wireless Network Security, check wireless access points for proper configurations, including strong password protection and WPA3 encryption. Confirm guest networks are separate from internal systems and scan for unauthorized rogue access points.

Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing

Conduct Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing regularly. Use vulnerability scans and simulated cyberattacks to find and fix weaknesses before exploitation. Review test frequency and scope to cover internal and external threat vectors.

Security Awareness and Employee Training

Prioritize Security Awareness and Employee Training. Measure employee participation in cybersecurity awareness programs. Verify incident reporting and phishing policies are clear and well understood.

Monitoring and Log Management

Implement robust Monitoring and Log Management. Confirm centralized monitoring systems track network activity and alert for suspicious behavior. Ensure logs are retained according to policy and regularly reviewed for anomalies.

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Incident Response and Data Recovery

Evaluate your Incident Response and Data Recovery plan’s readiness for various attack scenarios. Assess backup processes and test restoration capabilities to ensure quick recovery from disruptions or breaches.

How to Conduct a Network Security Audit: Step-by-Step

Carrying out a network security audit involves a structured, step-by-step process that combines the use of specialized tools, thorough assessments, and strategic planning.

The goal is to detect vulnerabilities, evaluate security controls, and ensure the organization is well-equipped to handle potential cyber threats. Once the audit is complete, findings are documented and reviewed to improve the overall security posture.

Below are eight essential steps to perform an effective network security audit:

Step 1: Define the Scope and Objectives

Start by outlining what your audit will cover. Decide which systems, devices, applications, and cloud services should be included. Are you focusing on meeting a compliance goal like ISO 27001 or SOC 2? Will the audit involve only internal infrastructure, or will it also include third-party tools and cloud platforms?

A clear scope helps you stay focused, avoid scope creep, and ensure that no critical areas are left unchecked.

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Step 2: Build a Complete Inventory of Network Assets

You can’t protect what you don’t know exists. Use asset discovery tools to create a full inventory of your network environment. This should include:

• Hardware : routers, switches, firewalls, servers
• Software and applications : on-prem and cloud-based
• Cloud infrastructure : such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
• User accounts : including roles and access permissions

Knowing exactly what you’re working with is the foundation for a thorough security assessment.

Step 3: Review Network and Device Configurations

Next, analyze how your systems are configured. Focus on:

• Firewall rules and whether they allow unnecessary access
• Port and protocol settings
• VPN and remote access configurations
• Patch levels and update status
• Endpoint protection tools , like antivirus or EDR software

Compare these settings against cybersecurity best practices and security benchmarks to identify weak configurations.

Step 4: Perform Vulnerability Scans and Penetration Tests

Use vulnerability scanning tools to detect issues like:

• Open or exposed ports
• Weak or default credentials
• Outdated or unpatched systems
• Poorly configured services

For deeper insight, run penetration tests to simulate actual cyberattacks. This helps test your response capabilities and reveals how well your defenses would hold up under real-world pressure.

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Step 5: Evaluate Access Control Mechanisms

Access control is a critical part of your audit. Review how access is assigned and managed:

• Remove any inactive or orphaned accounts
• Reduce unnecessary admin privileges
• Check that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is in place
• Review how users are provisioned and deprovisioned

Follow the principle of least privilege to minimize internal threats and prevent unauthorized access.

Step 6: Monitor Logs and Network Activity

Logs provide a detailed view of what’s happening across your systems. Use them to detect:

• Unusual login patterns
• Unauthorized data access or transfers
• Failed login attempts or brute-force activity
• Privilege escalation events

Leverage a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tool to collect, centralize, and analyze logs for better visibility and quicker incident detection.

Step 7: Document the Results and Prioritize Fixes

Create a clear report summarizing your findings. Include:

• Identified vulnerabilities and misconfigurations
• Non-compliance with internal or regulatory standards
• Recommended fixes and remediation actions
• Risk levels for each issue (e.g., low, medium, high)

Use this report to prioritize and delegate remediation tasks, starting with high-risk vulnerabilities that could lead to serious incidents.

Step 8: Set Up a Regular Audit Schedule

Security audits shouldn’t be one-time events. Build a schedule for recurring audits; quarterly, biannually, or after any significant change, such as:

• Major system or network updates
• New software rollouts
• A recent breach or incident

Frequent audits help ensure your defenses stay strong, your compliance status remains intact, and your team is always prepared for what’s next.

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SecureSlate Makes Network Security and Compliance Simple

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Its vulnerability management tracks your systems, code, and deployments continuously, alerting you to issues before they become risks. The platform integrates with your tech stack and auto-collects evidence, keeping you audit-ready without the manual work.

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Conclusion

A network security audit is a critical component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Proactively identifying and remediating vulnerabilities is essential for an effective defensive posture. By systematically evaluating your network’s design, policies, access controls, and defenses, you transition to a resilient stance. This approach safeguards sensitive data, ensures business continuity, and aids regulatory compliance.

Integrate regular network security audits into your IT operations to build a more secure, efficient, and reliable environment for your organization.

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