First internal audits often look the same: scrambling to find evidence for controls nobody's sure exist. It doesn't have to be that way.
What an Internal Audit Actually Is
An internal audit is a self-driven review of your IT systems, policies, and controls. It answers questions like:
- Are we following our own policies?
- Are our systems configured securely?
- Are we tracking the right logs?
- Could we pass an external audit?
Think of it as a health check before the real exam. The goal isn't to catch you doing something wrong—it's to find gaps before external auditors do.
Step 1: Define Your Scope
Your first audit should be narrow and goal-oriented. Don't try to audit everything.
Good scope examples:
- "Are our password and MFA policies being followed?"
- "Are backups completed and tested regularly?"
- "Is access to sensitive data restricted properly?"
Write it down. Include what systems you're reviewing, what controls you're focusing on, and what timeframe you're looking at.
Keep it tight. Small scope = faster results and less burnout.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
For each control, ask: "Can we prove we're doing what we said?"
Evidence examples:
- Screenshots of MFA settings
- Exported user access lists with review dates
- Change management tickets showing approvals
- Training completion records
- Vulnerability scan results
You don't need fancy GRC software. A Google Sheet tracking findings and status works fine for most small teams.
| Control | Status | Evidence | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFA Enabled | ✅ Yes | Screenshot from Admin | IT Lead | Enforced for all users |
| Quarterly Access Review | ⚠️ Partial | Q1 log only | HR | Q2 not documented |
| Password Policy Reviewed | ✅ Yes | Policy PDF dated Jan 2025 | Security | Aligned with NIST |
Step 3: Write Findings and Actions
Each control gets a result:
- Compliant — Meets expectations
- Needs Improvement — Missing something
- Non-Compliant — Not implemented
For each finding, suggest a next step: update a policy, change a setting, document a procedure, or schedule training.
Keep your tone constructive. The goal is improvement, not blame.
Step 4: Share and Review
Share findings with the appropriate teams—IT, Security, leadership. Ask:
- Are these priorities right?
- Who owns the remediation?
- What should we audit next?
This builds toward more formal audits or certifications down the road.
Common First-Time Mistakes
Trying to audit everything. Start small. You can expand scope later.
No evidence collection process. Build evidence gathering into your daily workflows. Don't scramble at audit time.
Treating it as adversarial. Internal audits are a gift. They show you where you're weak before someone exploits those weaknesses.
Not following through. Findings without remediation are worthless. Track to completion.
A Final Thought
Your first internal audit doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to start.
Start small, keep it clear, and take action on what you find. That's how you build a security program that can withstand external scrutiny.
Need help scoping your first audit or preparing for external compliance? Let's talk.
