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Network Security Audit Checklist

This document is a comprehensive network security audit checklist authored by G. M. Faruk Ahmed, aimed at ensuring compliance with security standards and best practices. It covers various aspects of network security, including access control, firewall security, intrusion detection, endpoint security, and more, providing specific verification points for each area. The checklist serves as a guide for organizations to evaluate and enhance their network security measures.

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12 views

Network Security Audit Checklist

This document is a comprehensive network security audit checklist authored by G. M. Faruk Ahmed, aimed at ensuring compliance with security standards and best practices. It covers various aspects of network security, including access control, firewall security, intrusion detection, endpoint security, and more, providing specific verification points for each area. The checklist serves as a guide for organizations to evaluate and enhance their network security measures.

Uploaded by

nisanth2610
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NETWORK SECURITY

AUDIT CHECKLIST

www.gmfaruk.com
Network Security Audit Checklist

Author : G. M. Faruk Ahmed, CISSP, CISA Date : March 2025

Introduction

This document provides a comprehensive audit checklist for evaluating network


security. The checklist ensures compliance with security standards and best practices.

1. Access Control

• Verify user access management policies are in place.


• Ensure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is implemented.
• Review least privilege access principles.
• Check account lockout and password policies.
• Validate role-based access controls (RBAC).

1. Firewall Security

• Confirm firewall rules are reviewed regularly.


• Ensure default deny-all inbound policy is in place.
• Check for unnecessary open ports.
• Review logging and alerting mechanisms.
• Validate firewall firmware updates and patches.

1. Intrusion Detection and Prevention

• Confirm intrusion detection system (IDS) and intrusion prevention system (IPS) are
deployed.
• Ensure real-time monitoring is enabled.
• Verify automatic alerts for suspicious activities.
• Review log retention policies for IDS/IPS.
• Check response procedures for detected threats.

1. Network Segmentation

• Assess VLANs and subnetting for isolation.


• Ensure critical assets are separated from public networks.
• Verify internal network segmentation for departments.
• Check access control lists (ACLs) for segmentation.
• Review segmentation policies for compliance.

1. Endpoint Security

• Ensure antivirus and anti-malware solutions are deployed.


• Confirm endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities.
• Verify device encryption is enabled.
• Check patch management for endpoints.
• Assess endpoint hardening practices.

1. Data Encryption

• Verify encryption standards for data at rest and in transit.


• Ensure secure key management practices are followed.
• Check SSL/TLS configurations for web applications.
• Assess disk encryption policies.
• Review VPN encryption standards.

1. Wireless Security

• Ensure WPA3 encryption is enabled for Wi-Fi.


• Verify SSID broadcasting restrictions.
• Check for rogue access points.
• Review guest Wi-Fi segmentation.
• Validate wireless authentication mechanisms.

1. Patch Management

• Ensure regular patching schedules for systems.


• Verify automated patch deployment mechanisms.
• Check vulnerability scanning reports.
• Assess third-party software update policies.
• Confirm logging of patching activities.

1. Logging and Monitoring

• Ensure centralized logging solutions are in place.


• Verify security information and event management (SIEM) system.
• Review log correlation for threat detection.
• Check retention policies for audit logs.
• Validate real-time monitoring of critical systems.

1. Backup and Disaster Recovery

• Confirm regular backup schedules.


• Verify offsite backup storage policies.
• Check encryption of backup data.
• Review disaster recovery plan (DRP).
• Ensure backup restoration testing is conducted.

1. Security Awareness Training

• Confirm regular cybersecurity training for employees.


• Ensure phishing simulations are conducted.
• Verify reporting mechanisms for security incidents.
• Check compliance with security awareness policies.
• Review training logs and feedback reports.

1. Third-Party Vendor Security

• Ensure vendor security assessments are conducted.


• Verify third-party access controls.
• Check compliance with contractual security obligations.
• Review vendor incident response procedures.
• Assess vendor security monitoring practices.

1. Physical Security

• Verify restricted access to server rooms.


• Ensure security cameras are operational.
• Check physical access logs.
• Confirm badge and biometric authentication.
• Assess security of network hardware storage.

1. Incident Response

• Ensure an incident response plan (IRP) is documented.


• Verify incident detection and reporting procedures.
• Check post-incident analysis and lessons learned.
• Assess response time and escalation processes.
• Review forensic investigation capabilities.

1. Compliance and Regulations

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations (ISO, NIST, GDPR, etc.).


• Verify security policies align with compliance frameworks.
• Check documentation of security assessments.
• Assess audit readiness of security controls.
• Review compliance training programs.

1. Cloud Security

• Verify cloud security configurations.


• Ensure multi-factor authentication for cloud access.
• Check encryption policies for cloud-stored data.
• Review cloud provider security compliance.
• Assess cloud workload security monitoring.

1. Secure Development Practices

• Verify secure coding guidelines are followed.


• Ensure code reviews include security assessments.
• Check for automated security testing in CI/CD pipelines.
• Assess API security policies.
• Review software patching and update policies.

1. IoT and OT Security

• Ensure segmentation of IoT devices from critical networks.


• Verify monitoring of IoT traffic.
• Check firmware updates for IoT devices.
• Review security policies for operational technology (OT).
• Assess risk management strategies for IoT/OT.

1. Zero Trust Implementation

• Verify implementation of Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA).


• Ensure continuous authentication policies.
• Check micro-segmentation policies.
• Assess user and device trust scoring.
• Review Zero Trust security monitoring practices.

1. Continuous Improvement

• Ensure regular security audits and assessments.


• Verify continuous monitoring strategies.
• Check threat intelligence integration.
• Review security roadmap for enhancements.
• Assess feedback loops for security improvements.

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