When Did You Last Audit Your IT?
Most SMEs do not know the true state of their IT infrastructure. Systems accumulate over years â a server installed five years ago, a firewall configured by a previous IT provider, software licences nobody remembers purchasing. Without regular audits, you cannot identify security vulnerabilities, plan budgets accurately, or make informed decisions about technology investments.
An IT infrastructure audit gives you a clear, honest picture of where you stand.
What an IT Audit Covers
A comprehensive IT infrastructure audit examines every component of your technology environment. Hardware includes servers, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, network switches, routers, firewalls, access points, printers, and UPS systems. Software covers operating systems, business applications, security tools, and cloud subscriptions. Network infrastructure includes internet connectivity, internal network topology, wireless coverage, and VPN configuration. Security posture covers firewall rules, endpoint protection, patch status, MFA deployment, backup configuration, and access controls. Documentation includes network diagrams, asset registers, policies, and procedures.
Why Regular Audits Matter
Security: An audit identifies unpatched systems, misconfigured firewalls, accounts with excessive permissions, and devices without endpoint protection. These gaps are the entry points attackers exploit.
Compliance: If your business needs to comply with the ASD Essential Eight, Privacy Act, or industry-specific regulations, an audit establishes your current position and identifies gaps.
Cost optimisation: Audits regularly uncover wasted spending â unused software licences, redundant services, and over-provisioned systems. A typical SME audit identifies 10 to 20 per cent in potential savings.
Planning: Knowing the age and condition of your infrastructure lets you budget for replacements proactively rather than reacting to failures.
DIY Audit Checklist
While a professional audit provides the most thorough assessment, you can start with a self-assessment covering these areas:
Hardware inventory: Can you list every device on your network? Do you know the age, warranty status, and assigned user for each? Are any devices past end-of-life or no longer receiving security updates?
Software and licences: Do you have a current list of all software and cloud subscriptions? Are all licences compliant (no unlicensed software, no unused paid licences)? Are all applications on supported versions?
Network: Is your network segmented (separate VLANs for corporate, guest, and IoT)? Is your Wi-Fi using WPA3 or WPA2-Enterprise? When was your firewall firmware last updated?
Security: Is MFA enabled on all accounts? Is endpoint protection deployed on every device? When were your backups last tested? Are your passwords managed through a business password manager?
Documentation: Do you have a current network diagram? Is there a documented disaster recovery plan? Are IT policies (acceptable use, BYOD, incident response) current?
Professional IT Audits
A professional audit goes deeper than a self-assessment. It includes vulnerability scanning of your network and devices, penetration testing to identify exploitable weaknesses, configuration review of firewalls, servers, and cloud services, compliance gap analysis against relevant frameworks, and a prioritised remediation plan with estimated costs and timelines.
The output is a report that serves as both a current-state assessment and a roadmap for improvement.
How Often Should You Audit?
At minimum, conduct a comprehensive IT audit annually. Additionally, audit after significant changes (office moves, mergers, major system deployments), when changing IT providers, before and after major security incidents, and when preparing for compliance certifications.
Take the First Step
An IT audit is not about finding fault â it is about understanding your current position so you can make informed decisions. Contact TechAssist for a comprehensive IT infrastructure audit.
