Faced with the multiplication of cyber attacks and the rapid development of threats, cybersecurity audits can no longer be limited to checking regulatory boxes. The regulatory pressure remains strong, but it is now insufficient in itself to assess the real robustness of an information system. A paradigm change is essential: Go from a logic of conformity to a logic of operational evidence.
Often declarative compliance
Traditionally, the Cyber audit consists in verifying the presence of measures required by normative or regulatory frameworks: ISO 27001, NIS2, GDPR, Dora, etc. These audits are largely based on documents, declared processes, and interviews with the teams. The system is validated on his ability to demonstrate that he follows standardsnot on its effective resistance to attacks.
However, many organizations can obtain certification while remaining technically vulnerable. The faults are not always in the absence of rules, but in the absence of effective control, real -time monitoring, or detection and response capacities. Clearly: we can be in conformity while being exposed.
Towards an approach based on proof
A logic of evidence is to Evaluate the reality of the security system through tests, simulations, metrics, event newspapersand not only by documentary audit. This presupposes:
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- Of the Red Teaming Exercises and Regular intrusion tests ;
- Systematic exploitation of logs to draw behaviors and detect weak signals;
- Of the Configuration technical journals (firewall, VPN, MFA, network segmentation);
- The ability to produce quantified indicators On the speed of detection, the reaction latency, or the correction time.
In summary, we no longer ask “Have you set up an incident response plan?” “But” Can you demonstrate that this plan actually works on simulated incident? »»
An increasing requirement of insurers, investors and partners
This change is not only driven by RSSI or regulators. THE Cyber insurersfaced with an explosion of claims, now demand Tangible evidence of resilience : detection in less than 24 hours, centralized journalization, separation of privileges … The subscription questionnaires become more technical and less declarative.
Likewise, the Investors and audit committees require much more advanced IT audits before fundraising or IPOs. Finally, in industrial value chains, the major principals impose verifiable security levels on their subcontractors with evidence.
An impact on the organization of companies
Getting to a logic of evidence requires a Reorganization of the security function. This implies:
- Data management, with performance -oriented safety dashboards;
- A skill rise in IT teams to cyber field skills;
- The generalization of tools of Siem, Edr, Soar and their integration into continuous supervision processes;
- The implementation of crisis exercise routines and independent external technical audits.
It is also an opportunity to better align security with business objectives: to demonstrate that the IS is capable of supporting activity even in the event of a major incident.
Conclusion
The cyber audit can no longer stop at regulatory compliance. He must align with a new requirement: Bring concrete evidence of robustness, responsiveness and resilience. In a context of normalization of cyber attacks, It is technical evidence and not declarative procedures that will make.
