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Cloud-based Security Audits vs Traditional Security Audits

September 15, 2021

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between cloud-based security audits and traditional security audits? As businesses transition more and more towards cloud-based solutions, it's important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of these auditing methods. In this blog post, we'll provide a factual comparison of both methodologies and leave the decision up to you.

Traditional Security Audits

First, let's define what we mean by a traditional security audit. When a business operates on-premises, traditional audits are conducted by experienced security professionals or consultants. These audits usually involve an in-depth inspection of the business's information security policies, processes, and technologies. Traditional audits are generally time-consuming and expensive, requiring experts to physically inspect the business's facilities and infrastructure.

Cloud-based Security Audits

Cloud-based security audits, on the other hand, are based on the cloud. These audits can be performed remotely, with no need for physical inspections. In many cases, cloud-based audits use automated tools to test a business's security systems, scanning for vulnerabilities in real-time. While cloud-based audits are usually less expensive than traditional audits, they can also be less comprehensive, missing some of the complexities of on-premises IT infrastructure.

A Comparison of the Two

Now, let's dive into some numbers. According to a study by PwC, in 2018, 48% of businesses surveyed conducted traditional security audits, while only 23% used cloud-based security auditing. This suggests that traditional audits are still the preferred option for many businesses. However, this trend may be shifting; another survey conducted by LogicMonitor found that over 83% of enterprise workloads will be in the cloud by 2020.

Looking at the cost, a traditional security audit can range anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 depending on the scope of the audit, while a cloud-based audit typically costs between $2,000 and $10,000. In terms of speed, cloud-based audits can be conducted within a few hours, whereas traditional audits can take several weeks or even months to complete.

Conclusion

So which is better, cloud-based security audits or traditional audits? The answer will depend on your organization and its specific needs. If you have a large on-premises infrastructure, a traditional audit may be more comprehensive and provide more assurance. However, if your operation is primarily based in the cloud, cloud-based audits may offer significant cost and time savings.

In summary, it's important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each auditing methodology to make an informed decision about which approach is best for your business. Both have their pros and cons, and it's up to you to decide which one to choose.

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