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ISO 27001 Network Security and Infrastructure Audit Checklist for Financial Services

A comprehensive audit checklist for evaluating and enhancing network security and IT infrastructure resilience in financial services organizations, ensuring compliance with ISO 27001 standards and addressing industry-specific requirements for protecting critical financial systems and data.

ISO 27001 Network Security and Infrastructure Audit Checklist for Financial Services
by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

In the interconnected world of financial services, robust network security and a resilient IT infrastructure are paramount for protecting sensitive data and ensuring uninterrupted operations. The ISO 27001 Network Security and Infrastructure Audit Checklist for Financial Services is an essential tool for assessing and enhancing an organization's network defenses and IT infrastructure resilience. This comprehensive checklist addresses key aspects of network security, from perimeter defenses and segmentation to intrusion detection and secure configuration management. By implementing strong network security controls and maintaining a robust IT infrastructure, financial institutions can safeguard against cyber threats, ensure the integrity of financial transactions, and maintain the trust of their clients and regulators.

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Industry

Financial Services

Standard

ISO/IEC 27001 - Information Security Management

Workspaces

Data Centers
Network Operations Centers
Financial Institutions

Occupations

Network Security Engineer
IT Infrastructure Manager
Cybersecurity Analyst
Systems Administrator
Information Security Auditor

1
Is the firewall configuration compliant with ISO 27001 standards?

Select the compliance status of the firewall configuration.

To ensure that the firewall settings adequately protect the network from unauthorized access.
2
How often is the intrusion detection system tested?

Enter the frequency of testing the intrusion detection system.

Regular testing is necessary to ensure the system's effectiveness in identifying threats.
Min: 0
Target: Monthly
Max: 12
3
Describe the process in place for vulnerability management.

Provide details about the vulnerability management process.

To assess the thoroughness and effectiveness of the vulnerability management strategy.
4
Is the network segmentation implemented according to the ISO 27001 requirements?

Select the compliance status of the network segmentation.

Proper network segmentation helps in minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.
5
Are adequate security measures implemented for cloud networks?

Select the security measure status for cloud networks.

To ensure that cloud services are secured against potential threats.

6
Is there an effective incident response plan in place?

Select the status of the incident response plan.

An incident response plan is crucial for quickly addressing security breaches.
7
Provide a description of the network security policies in place.

Detail the network security policies.

To evaluate the comprehensiveness and clarity of the network security policies.
8
When was the last network security audit conducted?

Enter the date of the last security audit.

To track the frequency of security audits and ensure they are conducted regularly.
9
Is user access control implemented and reviewed regularly?

Indicate whether user access control is in place.

User access control is essential for restricting access to sensitive information.
10
How often are employees trained on security policies?

Enter the frequency of employee security training.

Regular training helps in ensuring that employees are aware of security measures.
Min: 0
Target: Annually
Max: 12

11
Is a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool utilized for network monitoring?

Select the status of SIEM tool utilization.

Using a SIEM tool is critical for effective monitoring of security events.
12
List the network monitoring tools currently in use.

Provide a list of network monitoring tools.

To identify the tools in place for monitoring network security.
13
What is the average response time for threat detection?

Enter the average response time in minutes.

Quick response to detected threats is vital for minimizing potential damage.
Min: 0
Target: Less than 1 hour
Max: 120
14
Are security systems updated regularly with the latest patches?

Indicate whether security systems are updated regularly.

Regular updates are essential to protect against known vulnerabilities.
15
When was the last network security incident reported?

Enter the date of the last network security incident.

Tracking past incidents can help in assessing the effectiveness of security measures.

16
Is multi-factor authentication (MFA) implemented for all users?

Select the implementation status of multi-factor authentication.

MFA adds an additional layer of security to user authentication processes.
17
Describe how often user access rights are reviewed.

Provide the frequency of user access reviews.

Regular reviews help to ensure that access rights are appropriate and secure.
18
Is role-based access control (RBAC) implemented in the organization?

Indicate whether role-based access control is in place.

RBAC helps in ensuring users only have access to necessary resources based on their role.
19
When was the last audit of access controls conducted?

Enter the date of the last access control audit.

To ensure that access controls are audited regularly for compliance and effectiveness.
20
What is the threshold for failed login attempts before an account is locked?

Enter the threshold number for failed login attempts.

Monitoring failed login attempts helps in preventing unauthorized access.
Min: 1
Target: 3
Max: 10

21
Is sensitive data encrypted both at rest and in transit?

Select the encryption status of sensitive data.

Encryption is essential for protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access.
22
Describe the procedures in place for data backup.

Provide details about the data backup procedures.

Regular data backups are vital for data recovery and business continuity.
23
Is access to encrypted data restricted to authorized personnel only?

Indicate whether access to encrypted data is restricted.

Limiting access to encrypted data helps to prevent unauthorized decryption.
24
When was the last review of encryption standards conducted?

Enter the date of the last encryption standards review.

Regular reviews ensure that encryption standards meet current security requirements.
25
What is the defined Recovery Time Objective for data restoration?

Enter the RTO in hours for data restoration.

Establishing an RTO is crucial for planning effective data recovery strategies.
Min: 0
Target: 2 Hours
Max: 24

FAQs

The checklist covers network segmentation, firewall configuration, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), secure remote access, wireless network security, network monitoring and logging, vulnerability management, and secure configuration of network devices and servers.

It includes specific items for evaluating cloud network security, such as virtual private cloud configurations, cloud access security brokers (CASBs), secure API management, and integration of cloud resources with on-premises network security controls.

The checklist emphasizes the implementation of network segmentation strategies to isolate critical financial systems, enforce the principle of least privilege, and contain potential breaches. It covers the use of VLANs, firewalls, and software-defined networking (SDN) for effective segmentation.

It includes items for assessing the implementation of advanced threat detection technologies, such as AI-powered security information and event management (SIEM) systems, threat intelligence integration, and the use of deception technologies to detect and respond to sophisticated attacks.

Comprehensive audits should be conducted at least annually, with more frequent assessments of critical network components and high-risk areas. Additionally, audits should be performed after significant changes to the network architecture, the introduction of new financial services platforms, or in response to emerging threat landscapes.

Benefits

Ensures compliance with ISO 27001 network security requirements and financial industry standards

Enhances protection against evolving cyber threats and sophisticated attack vectors

Improves network resilience and reduces the risk of service disruptions

Facilitates early detection and response to potential security incidents

Supports regulatory compliance and demonstrates due diligence in protecting financial systems