IT Audit Field Manual : Strengthen Your Cyber Defense Through Proactive IT Auditing / Lewis Heuermann.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heuermann, Lewis, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Information technology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (336 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Birmingham : Packt Publishing, Limited, 2024.

Birmingham : Packt Publishing, [2024]

Summary:

Master effective IT auditing techniques, from security control reviews to advanced cybersecurity practices, with this essential field manual Key Features Secure and audit endpoints in Windows environments for robust defense Gain practical skills in auditing Linux systems, focusing on security configurations and firewall auditing using tools such as ufw and iptables Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and development for long-term career success Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book Description As cyber threats evolve and regulations tighten, IT professionals struggle to maintain effective auditing practices and ensure robust cybersecurity across complex systems. Drawing from over a decade of submarine military service and extensive cybersecurity experience, Lewis offers a unique blend of technical expertise and field-tested insights in this comprehensive field manual. Serving as a roadmap for beginners as well as experienced professionals, this manual guides you from foundational concepts and audit planning to in-depth explorations of auditing various IT systems and networks, including Cisco devices, next-generation firewalls, cloud environments, endpoint security, and Linux systems. You'll develop practical skills in assessing security configurations, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. This book also covers data protection, reporting, remediation, advanced auditing techniques, and emerging trends. Complete with insightful guidance on building a successful career in IT auditing, by the end of this book, you'll be equipped with the tools to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity and compliance, bridging the gap between technical expertise and practical application. What you will learn Evaluate cybersecurity across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud with IT auditing principles Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities in IT systems Explore IT auditing careers, roles, and essential knowledge for professional growth Assess the effectiveness of security controls in mitigating cyber risks Audit for compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and other standards Explore auditing tools for security evaluations of network devices and IT components Who this book is for The IT Audit Field Manual is for both aspiring and early-career IT professionals seeking a comprehensive introduction to IT auditing. If you have a basic understanding of IT concepts and wish to develop practical skills in auditing diverse systems and networks, this book is for you. Beginners will benefit from the clear explanations of foundational principles, terminology, and audit processes, while those looking to deepen their expertise will find valuable insights throughout.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright and Credits

Contributors

Table of Contents

Preface

Part 1: Foundations of IT Auditing

Chapter 1: Introduction to IT Auditing

The role and importance of IT auditing

An introduction to an information system (IS) audit and IT audit

The proactive approach - beyond risk assessment

IT auditing in action - case study reviews

The evolution of IT auditing in cybersecurity

The need for a dynamic approach to cybersecurity

Real-time response and proactive security

Current trends and the future outlook of IT auditing

A shift to continuous auditing

An emphasis on data privacy and protection

The future outlook - evolving with the digital landscape

Key concepts and terminology in IT auditing

Navigating through the audit life cycle

Exploring the different types of IT audits

The business process and people in the IT auditing process and planning

The roles of various stakeholders in IT auditing

Summary

Chapter 2: Audit Planning and Preparation

Understanding the importance of audit planning

Defining audit scope and objectives

Risk assessment and audit approach

Audit risks versus risks identified by the audit mission

Identifying and mitigating potential audit risks

Steps in creating a comprehensive audit plan

Resource allocation and timeline

Identifying and allocating resources

Techniques for resource allocation

Audit methodologies and procedures

Stakeholder engagement and communication

Mapping stakeholders

Planning communication strategies

Part 2: Auditing IT Systems and Networks

Chapter 3: Cisco Switches and Routers - Access Methods and Security Assessments

Introduction to basic networking concepts

Understanding Cisco switches and routers

Access methods for Cisco switches and routers.

Cisco Catalyst 2960-X series switches

Cisco Catalyst 9200 series switches

Cisco 4000 series integrated services routers (ISRs)

Cisco ASR 1001-X series routers

Security risks associated with Cisco devices

Common vulnerabilities in network devices

Conducting security assessments on Cisco devices

Chapter 4: Next-Generation Firewall Auditing

An introduction to NGFWs

The key differentiators of NGFWs

Scenario - auditing file-sharing applications blocked by NGFWs

Common firewall features and security assessment approaches

An example - introducing Healthy Bones Health Services

Example - Palo Alto PAN-OS - its capabilities and auditing techniques

Navigating the PAN-OS interface

Best practices in NGFW configuration and management

Common NGFW Pitfalls

Audit best practices

Chapter 5: Cloud Security Auditing

Introduction to cloud security auditing

Understanding the cloud service models

Impact of a cloud model on cloud security auditing

Challenges in cloud auditing

Auditing in Microsoft Azure

Auditing tools in Microsoft Azure

Security architecture's impact on auditing

Azure security tools and features

Case Study - auditing in an Azure environment

Auditing in AWS

Key AWS services for effective auditing

Utilizing AWS audit tools

Case study - AWS security audit at LittleCricket Inc.

General best practices in cloud security auditing

Crafting comprehensive security policies for cloud environments

Auditing security policies for effectiveness and compliance

Chapter 6: Endpoint Security: Windows 10 and Windows 11

Security features in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Overview of built-in security features

Auditing Microsoft Defender

Configuring Microsoft Defender Antivirus settings.

Validating Microsoft Defender Antivirus' effectiveness

Comparing configurations against security baselines

Continuous monitoring and improvement

Evaluating Windows Firewall across both versions

Reviewing Windows Firewall rules and settings

Evaluating inbound and outbound rules

Assessing rule scope and network profiles

Analyzing allowed ports and protocols

Reviewing application-specific rules

Assessing rule grouping and organization

Comparing configurations to best practices and security baselines

Auditing Windows Firewall using PowerShell

Comparing Windows Firewall configurations between Windows 10 and 11

BitLocker and data encryption in Windows 10 and Windows 11

The importance of data encryption in endpoint security

Configuring BitLocker drive encryption

Auditing BitLocker's configuration and compliance

Chapter 7: Linux System Auditing

Introduction to Linux

Security configurations that are common in Linux distributions

Auditing SSH configurations

Reviewing and configuring PAM

Checking and configuring system logging and auditing

Assessing and securing file system permissions

Analyzing and hardening kernel security parameters

Managing user access and privileges in Linux

Understanding user and group management in Linux

Auditing and managing sudo privileges

Implementing the principle of least privilege

Identifying and mitigating risks related to user access control

Case study - identifying and remediating excessive user privileges

Auditing firewall and network security with ufw and iptables

Auditing and configuring ufw rules

Auditing and configuring iptables rules

Securing network services and ports

Chapter 8: Wireless Access Points and Storage Technology Auditing

Auditing wireless access points.

Understanding wireless network architectures and components

Step-by-step guide to auditing wireless access points

Security and compliance in wireless networking

Overview of wireless security standards and regulations

Recommendations for maintaining secure and compliant wireless networks

Storage technology - types and risks

Auditing storage systems for security and compliance

Assessing physical security controls for on-premises storage

Evaluating access controls and user management

Verifying data encryption and key management practices

Auditing backup and restore and disaster recovery processes and resources

Assessing compliance with data protection regulations

Best practices for secure storage configuration and management

Chapter 9: Data Protection and Privacy Considerations

Understanding privacy laws and regulations

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Basics of data protection

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Financial Information

Confidential business information

The CIA triad

Identifying and assessing data risks

Implementing data protection measures

Best practices for encryption

The auditor's role in data privacy and protection

Technical and organizational methods

Third-party risk management

Identifying data privacy and protection risks

Providing recommendations for improvement

Reporting and Communication

Principles of effective audit reporting

Key elements of an effective audit report

Communicating findings to stakeholders.

Key stakeholders in audit communication

Strategies for presenting findings to technical and non-technical audiences

Presenting findings to non-technical audiences

Handling difficult conversations and managing expectations

Prioritizing and planning remediation efforts

Developing a remediation plan

Collaborating with IT teams on corrective actions

Ensuring effective quality assurance of IT audit processes

Conducting peer reviews

Chapter 11: Advanced Topics in IT Auditing

Exploring emerging technologies

How to stay ahead of the curve

Future trends in IT auditing

Generative AI's transformative potential in IT auditing

Introduction to advanced auditing techniques

DISA STIGs

What are DISA STIGs?

Advanced technique focus - DISA STIGs in action

Advanced technique focus - CISA advisories as a proactive auditing tool

Advanced technique focus - NIST CVE, your vulnerability intelligence resource

Preparing for the future of IT auditing

Building your practical skill set

Chapter 12: Building an IT Audit Career

Getting started in IT auditing

Key responsibilities and day-to-day tasks

Transitioning into IT auditing from other IT roles

Bridging the gap between IT and auditing

Entry-level positions and job requirements

Essential skills and certifications

Technical skills for IT auditors

Soft skills for success in IT auditing

Key certifications for IT auditors

Navigating career paths in IT auditing

Specializations within IT auditing

Continuous learning and professional development

Staying current with industry trends and best practices

Pursuing advanced certifications and education

Appendix: Conclusion and Future Outlook

Summarizing the key learnings

The future of IT auditing

An evolving regulatory landscape.

Continuous learning and adaptation.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Auditing tools in Microsoft Azure

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: Heuermann, Lewis IT Audit Field Manual

ISBN:

9781835468821

9781835467930

1835467938

1835468829