Any company, even the smallest ones, operates in some way connected to the online world and depends on data, devices, and applications. The reality is simple: if your business uses the internet, it’s also exposed to threats. And that’s precisely why the cybersecurity audit has become a fundamental tool for maintaining operational continuity and preventing further damage.
Before delving deeper into this type of analysis, it is worth mentioning a solution driving a remarkable evolution in the sector: Kartos by Enthec,. a platform designed for companies that need a clear, consistent view of their exposure. More than just a monitoring tool, Kartos is part of the Continuous Management of Threat Exposure.
Throughout the article, you will understand why both things need each other and how integrating them can strengthen the security of any company.
What is a cybersecurity audit, and why should you care?
Although it may sound technical, this type of audit is simply a detailed analysis of an organization’s systems to assess its actual level of protection. When someone asks what a cybersecurity audit is, the answer involves checking processes, infrastructure, internal policies, and any weaknesses that attackers could exploit.
Unlike other technical reviews, an audit examines habits, roles, access, security culture, and the way things are done. It’s not enough to have good firewalls: you have to review how information is managed daily.
Cybersecurity auditing for companies is a necessity
In practice, security incidents don’t only affect banks or large technology companies. Therefore, cybersecurity audits in businesses are no longer just a recommendation; they are now a mandatory step for any organization that depends, even minimally, on its systems.
The most interesting thing is that the result of a good audit is not just a report. It also provides:
- A clear record of vulnerabilities.
- A roadmap to solve them.
- Indicators of the return on investment in security.
- Guidelines for improvement, both technical and organizational.
- A higher level of regulatory compliance (GDPR, ENS, ISO 27001…).
And if the company combines this one-off audit with CTEM tools like Kartos, continuous monitoring allows it to detect new threats even after correcting previous ones.
Types of cybersecurity audits: approaches according to need
When discussing the types of cybersecurity audits, they are usually divided into three main categories:
1. Internal cybersecurity audit
The internal cybersecurity audit is conducted from within the organization. It is typically carried out by in-house teams or consultants who work closely with the company.. Their main advantage is that they understand the real context, procedures, and potential points of friction.
It is beneficial for:
- Verify compliance with internal policies.
- Review access and permissions.
- Analyze data management.
- Check the staff’s level of awareness.
2. External Audit
The external audit aims to obtain an independent and unbiased view.. Specialized third parties usually intervene, analyzing the system from the perspective of a real attacker and combining methodologies such as OWASP or OSINT analysis.
It adds value by allowing you to identify failures that have gone unnoticed and to validate whether internal measures actually work.
3. Specialized technical audits
They include tests such as:
- Pentesting (controlled attacks).
- Code review.
- Network analysis.
- Phishing simulations.
- Cloud security review.
This set allows for a comprehensive view and is suitable for companies with more specific needs or complex infrastructures.
Why an audit is not enough without continuous monitoring
This is where Enthec’s CTEM perspective becomes especially relevant. Although the audit provides a detailed snapshot of the moment, that snapshot can become outdated in a matter of weeks. Systems change, new updates are installed, vulnerable software appears, or information is unintentionally exposed.
Platforms like Kartos allow the company to:
- Detect data leaks or exposures in real time.
- Identify open services that shouldn’t be open.
- Continuously monitor domains, subdomains, or IPs.
- Receive direct alerts when a relevant threat appears.
- Prioritize risks according to their actual impact.
Main benefits of auditing cybersecurity
Everything learned during the audit is a dynamic process that evolves in tandem with the business. This allows us to gain various advantages for the organization.
1. Reduction of economic risks
An attack can paralyze operations for days. The average cost of a security breach is estimated to exceed $4.45 million. Obviously, these figures are lower for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), but the proportional impact remains enormous.
2. Better decision making
When a company has clear, well-explained, and prioritized results, it knows where to invest and what to expect in return.
3. Alignment with legal requirements
In regulated sectors, demonstrating that regular audits are conducted is almost mandatory. Audits facilitate this traceability and provide verifiable reports.
4. Strengthening customer confidence
More and more users and companies are asking about security before hiring services. Demonstrating formal auditing processes can be a deciding factor.
How Kartos fits into the audit cycle
We can summarize the relationship between both elements in three steps:
1. Before the audit
Kartos identifies exposures, neglected domains, vulnerable services, leaked information, and emerging risks. This allows for audit preparation using real-world data.
2. During the audit
Auditors can use Kartos’ findings to delve deeper into critical areas, reducing time and improving accuracy.
3. After the audit
Instead of leaving the report in a drawer, Kartos maintains active surveillance, detects new flaws, and alerts when something is at risk again.
In other words, the audit establishes the framework, and Kartos keeps it up to date.
The combination of traditional auditing and continuous monitoring is currently the most realistic way to protect a business. Auditing detects structural weaknesses; a CTEM platform, such as Kartos, prevents those weaknesses from recurring without warning.
If your company has not yet conducted a cybersecurity audit, or if you have been putting it off, now is the time to do it.
Do you want to discover how to improve your company’s security with Kartos? Contact Enthec to learn how to combine regular audits with a continuous monitoring system to help you anticipate real threats.
