GRC IT Audit Practical Approach Training

• MODULE 1: Foundations of IT & GRC Auditing (Why Audits Exist)

  Objective: Build an audit mindset before tools & controls

  • Overview of IT Audit
  • Types of IT Audits
    • ITGC Audit
    • SOX Audit
    • IS Audit
  • Role of GRC in organizations
  • Auditor vs Consultant vs Risk Manager (implicit understanding)
  • How experienced professionals fail in audits?
  • Common Audit Misconceptions Among Certified Professionals
• MODULE 2: Governance and Risk Auditing (How Organizations Are Structured and How Risks Are Managed)

  Objective: Understand the environment being audited

  • Auditing Governance Structures
  • Auditing Risk Registers (Sample Risk register shared)
  • Importance of:
    • RCM (Risk Control Matrix)
    • Observation Sheets
• MODULE 3: Audit Planning (How Audits Are Designed)

  Objective: Teach thinking before testing

  • How to Develop an Effective Audit Plan (Sample Plan to be created)
  • Identifying and Assessing Audit Risks
  • Key considerations for Risk based audit planning
  • Audit scope definition & prioritization
• MODULE 4: Core Audit Execution Techniques (How Audits Are Performed)

  Objective: Build strong execution fundamentals

  • Audit techniques:
    • Walkthroughs
    • Inquiry
    • Observation
    • Inspection
    • Reperformance
  • Design Effectiveness vs Operating Effectiveness
  • Sampling Basics:
    • Population
    • Period
    • Sample size
    • Selection methods
  • Audit Evidence:
    • Sufficiency & appropriateness
    • What evidence can be accepted / rejected
    • Screenshot pitfalls
    • Timestamp validation
    • Fabricated evidence detection
• MODULE 5: Auditing Core IT General Controls (ITGC)

  Objective: Hands-on audit exposure (What would you test? What would fail? What evidence is sufficient?)

  Access & Identity
  • Auditing User Access Management (UAM)
  • Auditing Logical Access Controls
  • Auditing Password Controls
  • Auditing Privileged Access (PIM / PAM)
  • Auditing HR Security Controls

  Change & Operations

  • Auditing Change Management Controls
  • Auditing Configuration Management
  • Auditing Patch Management Controls

  IT Service Management

  • Auditing Incident Management Controls
  • Auditing Problem Management Controls
• MODULE 6: Resilience, Continuity & Infrastructure Controls

  Objective: Cover availability & operational risk

  • Auditing Business Continuity Management (BCM)
  • Auditing BIA, BCP, and DR
  • Design vs Operational effectiveness difference in BCM
  • Auditing Backup and Restoration Controls
  • Auditing Physical and Environmental Controls
• MODULE 7: Data Protection, Privacy & Third-Party Risk

  Objective: Address modern regulatory and cyber risk

  • Reviewing Information Security Policies
  • Auditing Data Privacy Controls
  • Auditing Vendor Management & Outsourcing Practices
  • Cybersecurity Control Audits:
    • Data Protection Governance
    • Endpoint Security
    • Mobile Device Management (MDM)
• MODULE 8: Standards & Framework Orientation

  Objective: Teach how to use standards, not quote them

  • Brief Overview of:
    • ISO 27001
    • ISO 22301
    • ISO 27701
    • SOC 2 Trust Criteria
  • How auditors map controls to standards (conceptual)
  • Practical hands-on Cross-framework harmonization by taking few controls
• MODULE 9: SOC 2 Deep Dive

  Objective: Job-ready SOC 2 capability

  • What is SOC 2 & Why it Matters
  • SOC 2 Type I vs Type II vs Type III
  • Five Trust Service Criteria
  • Key Control Areas
  • Audit Readiness Phases
  • Key Documents to Prepare
  • Common SOC 2 Gaps
• MODULE 10: Audit Reporting & Stakeholder Management

  Objective: Convert findings into value

  • Structure of an Audit Finding:
    • Condition
    • Criteria
    • Cause
    • Impact
    • Recommendation
  • Rating Issues:
    • High / Medium / Low
  • Remediation & Management Action Plans
  • How to Draft Audit Observations
  • Preparing a Comprehensive Audit Report
  • How to talk to IT teams without conflict
  • How to ask for evidence professionally
  • Mini End-to-End Audit Simulation
• MODULE 11: Career & Interview Readiness (Outcome-Focused)

  Objective: Convert learning → employability

  • How to transition from GRC / Technical role to IT Audit
  • Key Areas to Focus on for IT Audit Interviews
  • Mock Interview Tips & Techniques
  • How to write CV for IT Audit roles
  • How to answer scenario-based questions

This course is designed for working professionals who want to build or strengthen hands-on GRC / IT Audit capability.

• Ideal participants include:
  • GRC, Technology Risk, or Compliance professionals
  • Cybersecurity professionals transitioning into audit/assurance roles
  • Professionals preparing for Senior Auditor / Consultant roles
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer

• Basic understanding of IT systems, applications, and networks
• Familiarity with frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, SOX, or ITIL (awareness level sufficient)
• Prior experience or certification, such as CISA, CISM, CISSP, or ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, is highly recommended
• Ideal for professionals transitioning into the GRC and IT Audit roles

Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be able to:

• Build a real audit mindset, not just certification knowledge
• Design risk-based audit plans aligned to organisational risk registers
• Execute audits using walkthroughs, inquiry, inspection and reperformance
• Evaluate, challenge and detect fabricated or insufficient audit evidence
• Audit ITGC domains: access, privileged access, change, patch and incident management
• Audit BCP, DR, backup and physical security controls end-to-end
• Apply data privacy and vendor risk audit techniques aligned to GDPR and DPDPA
• Map and harmonise controls across ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 27701 and SOC 2
• Write executive-ready audit findings using the Condition-Criteria-Cause-Impact framework
• Transition confidently into senior IT Audit and GRC roles with interview-ready skills