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CompTIA Security+ 5.5 CompTIA Security+ 4.6 NIST 800-53 CA-2
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Does the Audit Flag It?

An audit compares HR's records with the account system. Flag it, or is it in line?

⚑ Complete this interactive to capture a CTF flag worth 5 points.

About this interactive

Auditing means inspection: checking that what the company said it would do is really being done. Things drift out of line, and an audit catches it. The lesson's example is the account life cycle. Errors at provisioning usually fix themselves, because the user complains that something does not work. Errors later do not. When someone changes position, they may get the new access without losing the old, and end up with more than either job needs. When someone leaves, the account may not be shut off. So an audit takes the list from HR and compares it with the accounts, monthly, quarterly or yearly, and checks that each account reaches only the resources its role needs. Out of line: an account still active after its owner left, rights kept from an old job, access the role does not need, an account that matches no one on HR's list, an account switched back on with no record of why. In line: access that matches the role, removed on time, or ending on a date that is set and documented. The lesson's other point, who does the auditing (a self-assessment, someone internal from another department, or an outside third party), is practised in the Security Functions module.

What you'll learn

Aligned to

CompTIA Security+
5.5 Explain types and purposes of audits and assessments.
4.6 Given a scenario, implement and maintain identity and access management.
NIST 800-53
CA-2 Control Assessments

Key terms

IT Audit
A systematic inspection of IT processes, controls, and systems to identify misalignments and verify that established procedures are being followed correctly.
Self-Assessment
An internal audit in which an organization evaluates its own processes and controls; less costly than external audits but limited by potential bias and conflicts of interest.
Permissions
The defined access rights granted to users, groups, or objects that control what resources they can access or modify.

Topics

It Auditing Account Lifecycle Management Internal Audit Interactive Streak Sort

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