What is the main purpose of a security audit?

The main purpose of a security audit is to assess and verify compliance with security policies and controls. This process involves a systematic examination of an organization’s information system, including its policies, procedures, and technical safeguards. By evaluating how well these elements align with established security standards and frameworks, organizations can identify vulnerabilities, ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and confirm that security measures effectively mitigate risks.

While technology performance evaluation, security awareness generation, and cost reduction may be beneficial side effects or goals of various security initiatives, they do not capture the core intent of a security audit. The emphasis on compliance verification underscores the importance of ensuring that all security protocols are not only in place but also functioning as intended to protect sensitive information against internal and external threats.