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Personnel performing IT audits should have information systems knowledge commensurate with the scope and sophistication of the institution's IT environment and possess sufficient analytical skills to determine and report the root cause of deficiencies. If internal expertise is inadequate, the board should consider using qualified external sources such as management consultants, independent auditors, or other professionals to supplement or perform the institution's internal IT audit function. In some institutions, a person or group that has no other responsibilities outside the IT audit function performs IT audits. Generally, institutions using this approach centralize IT audit coverage and assign one or more IT audit specialists to perform end-user application control reviews as well as technical system audits. A centralized IT audit department can ensure sufficient technical expertise, but can also strain technical resources and require multiple audits in a user department. Additionally, IT auditors in this environment may need to have a greater understanding of financial and business line audit concerns.
Other institutions may use an integrated audit approach. Using this method, IT audit specialists perform the technology system and other technical reviews, while generalist auditors perform the end-user application control reviews. Institutions should use auditors with technical knowledge appropriate for the areas reviewed.
An institution's hiring and training practices should ensure that the institution has qualified IT auditors. The auditor's education and experience should be consistent with job responsibilities. Audit management should also provide an effective program of continuing education and development. As the information systems of an institution become more sophisticated or as more complex technologies evolve, the auditor may need additional training.