How to Prepare for a Cyber Security Audit: Derby Business Checklist
With cyber attacks on the rise and compliance standards tightening, every Derby business should be taking cyber security seriously. One of the most effective ways to strengthen your defences is by conducting a cyber security audit — but many businesses don’t know what that actually involves.
Here’s your simple guide to preparing for an audit and what to expect.
🔍 What Is a Cyber Security Audit?
A cyber security audit is a full review of your IT systems, policies, and security measures. It checks how well your business is protected against current threats and identifies gaps that could lead to data loss, ransomware, or compliance breaches.
At Censor Security, we benchmark every audit against Cyber Essentials — the UK government-backed framework for cyber hygiene.
✅ Cyber Security Audit Checklist
1. Device Inventory
List every device connected to your network — laptops, desktops, servers, tablets, even printers.
2. Software Versions
Check operating systems and applications for updates or end-of-life versions (e.g. Windows 10 after October 2025).
3. Access Controls
Review who has admin rights and whether strong passwords or MFA (multi-factor authentication) are enforced.
4. Patch Management
Ensure security patches are applied promptly across all devices.
5. Backup & Recovery
Confirm that backups are recent, tested, and stored securely.
6. Firewall & Antivirus Configuration
Verify your defences are enabled, updated, and monitored.
7. Policies & Training
Assess staff awareness, password policies, and incident response readiness.
🧭 Why It Matters for Derby Businesses
A well-executed audit gives visibility of potential weaknesses before attackers find them. It can also strengthen compliance with Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, or insurance requirements.
Censor Security helps Derby and Nottingham businesses prepare for audits, identify risks, and implement improvements that prevent downtime and cyber attacks.