Network audit checklist: 10 essential items to check off

The backbone of any modern business is its network infrastructure. 

Neglecting regular check-ups for your network is like taking a gamble with your company's security and efficiency.

A network security audit can help you proactively address weaknesses and strengthen your network against potential threats. This proactive approach not only protects your valuable data but also boosts the overall performance of your business. 

We’ll walk you through a 10-step network audit checklist and some best practices to get you started. Let’s dive into:

• Why network audits are essential
• Evaluate network infrastructure
• Assess network security policies
• Monitor network traffic
• Inspect access controls
• Verify data backup procedures
• Conduct vulnerability scans
• Check firewall and router configurations
• Evaluate wireless network security
• Review incident response plan
• Generate comprehensive audit reports
• Best practices for network audits
• Next steps: Stay secure with Meter

Why network audits are essential

Network audits are a systematic approach to keeping your network in tip-top shape. 

Network security involves multiple layers—missing a single one can open you up to threats like data breaches or unauthorized access. With a network security audit, you can:

• Identify vulnerabilities: Pinpoint and address security weaknesses before they’re exploited to improve resilience.

• Optimize performance: Uncover inefficiencies within the network to boost performance and user experience.

• Protect data: Safeguard sensitive information by increasing security measures to reduce the risk of cyberthreats.

• Prevent downtime: Maintain reliability and minimize outages by addressing potential issues identified during audits.

• Boost cost efficiency: Avoid expensive repairs and downtime to save resources and ensure operational continuity.

1. Evaluate network infrastructure

A clear understanding of your network infrastructure helps you plan more effectively and ensures no components are overlooked.  

Create a hardware inventory:

• List all devices, including routers, switches, servers, and firewalls.
• Include details like the make, model, serial numbers, and location.
• Verify physical locations to ensure accuracy.

Document software and applications:

• Track all software, including operating systems, security software, and productivity tools.
• Regularly update the software inventory to keep it current.

Check configuration settings:

• Access and verify configuration settings of all network devices.
• Ensure settings align with security best practices and policies.
• Identify and address any unauthorized changes or potential risks.

This streamlined approach helps you detect unauthorized devices, track software versions, and prevent security vulnerabilities.

2. Assess network security policies

Next, you need to examine the rules that govern how your network is used. 

Policy documentation is the blueprint for network security, providing clarity and transparency. It should clearly outline acceptable uses, password requirements, and how to handle sensitive data. To do this:

• Gather all security policies, including password policies, access control policies, and data protection policies.
• Organize them in a central repository that is easily accessible to all authorized personnel.
• Regularly review and update the documentation to reflect any changes in security requirements.

Just having policies isn't enough—policy compliance identifies deviations from established rules. Monitoring policy compliance can help track adherence to security policies in real time. Address non-compliance issues promptly and enforce corrective actions as needed.

Reviewing the frequency of security policy updates helps your network remain protected against evolving threats. Regular updates address new vulnerabilities and align security measures with current industry standards. Make sure you:

• Evaluate how often security policies are reviewed and updated.
• Ensure that updates are timely and responsive to emerging security challenges.
• Establish a schedule for periodic policy reviews to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of security measures.

The digital landscape constantly changes, making frequent updates critical. Regularly review your policies and update them to address new threats and vulnerabilities.

3. Monitor network traffic

Monitoring network traffic involves using tools to monitor and analyze network traffic patterns. 

These tools help identify how data flows through your network, revealing which applications and devices are consuming the most resources. Understanding these patterns can help optimize performance and improve overall efficiency.

The Meter Dashboard provides insights into multiple aspects of your network, from active appliances to users and security alerts. Monitor network traffic and performance more effectively and efficiently with Meter.

Checking bandwidth utilization helps spot where your network is getting bogged down. By identifying these bottlenecks, you can allocate resources more effectively and plan for future needs.

Anomaly detection is equally important. Watch for unusual patterns like sudden traffic spikes or data being sent to strange locations. Catching these anomalies early can prevent security breaches and keep your network safe.

4. Inspect access controls

Inspecting access controls is essential to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Review user access levels:

Start by checking user access levels and permissions. Ensure each user has only the access needed for their role and nothing more. This principle, known as least privilege, helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Evaluate authentication methods:

Next, assess the effectiveness of your authentication methods. Implementing strong methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra security layer by requiring additional verification steps beyond just a password. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised.

Examine access logs:

Review access logs regularly to track who accessed the network and when. These logs help detect unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities. Promptly identifying and addressing these issues is important for maintaining network security and integrity.

5. Verify data backup procedures

Verifying data backup procedures is crucial to ensure the safety and availability of your data.

Regular backups:

Regularly backup data to safeguard against loss from hardware failures, cyber-attacks, or human errors. Reliable backups allow you to recover lost or corrupted data quickly, preventing significant disruptions and financial losses.

Test backup integrity:

Regularly test the integrity of your backup data to confirm completeness and accuracy. This ensures your backups are usable and contain all necessary information, preventing the discovery of unusable backups too late.

Disaster recovery plan:

Maintain a current, comprehensive disaster recovery plan. This plan provides a clear roadmap for responding to data loss or network failures, ensuring all team members know their roles during a crisis. This preparation expedites recovery efforts and reduces downtime.

6. Conduct vulnerability scans

Regular vulnerability scans help in maintaining an up-to-date overview of your network's security posture. 

Start by using automated tools to conduct regular vulnerability scans. These tools systematically scan your network for known vulnerabilities, identifying weak points that could be exploited by attackers. 

Meter’s Dashboard is your single source for security checkups. Block threats and unwanted content with DNS security, right in your dash. 

Your Meter Dashboard allows you to create custom policies with full control, optimize network performance by controlling access, and more.

Regular patching is another essential component to maintain the security and stability of your network. Keeping systems updated protects against known vulnerabilities that could be targeted by cyber threats. 

Additionally, schedule consistent penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities. Penetration testing involves simulating real-world attacks on your network to find and fix security weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. 

This proactive approach helps in uncovering vulnerabilities that automated scans might miss and provides a comprehensive assessment of your network's security.

7. Check firewall and router configurations

Firewalls control traffic in and out of your network. Update firewall rules regularly to block unauthorized access and protect against emerging threats.

Review router settings: 

Ensure they comply with security standards. Verify strong passwords, disable unused services, and enable secure management protocols to prevent unauthorized access and network attacks.

Network segmentation: 

Divide the network into smaller, isolated segments to limit access to sensitive data. This practice reduces the risk of widespread damage in case of a breach and helps contain security incidents, making it easier to manage and secure the network.

8. Evaluate wireless network security

Ensure all wireless networks use the latest encryption standards to protect data transmitted over Wi-Fi from unauthorized access.

Manage SSID settings: 

Avoid broadcasting sensitive information in your network’s SSID, as this can make it easier for attackers to target your network. Use generic names that do not reveal the nature or ownership of the network, enhancing security by keeping potential intruders guessing.

Scan for unauthorized access points: 

Regularly scan for and eliminate any unauthorized access points. Unauthorized access points (also called rogue access points) can create backdoors into your network, allowing attackers to bypass your security measures. 

Use network monitoring tools to detect these access points and remove them promptly.

9. Review incident response plan

Reviewing your incident response plan helps in understanding patterns and enhancing future responses. To do so: 

• Thoroughly document all incidents and the responses to them. 
• Assess the effectiveness of the incident response plan. 
• Identify any gaps or areas for improvement to strengthen your response strategy. 
• Conduct regular drills to prepare staff for potential incidents.

Drills simulate real-world scenarios, letting your team practice and improve their response actions. These exercises help identify weaknesses in the plan and improve coordination and communication during actual incidents. 

Regular practice means that everyone knows their roles and can act quickly and effectively when a real incident occurs.

10. Generate comprehensive audit reports

Comprehensive documentation clarifies the audit scope and records all activities and results.

Start by compiling all collected data into a detailed report. This report should summarize findings from all audit steps, giving a thorough overview of the network's current state.

Use data visualizations like graphs, charts, and tables to highlight key findings. These tools make complex data more accessible and help pinpoint trends, patterns, and areas of concern, making it easier to present results to stakeholders.

Provide clear, actionable recommendations for improving network security. Outline specific steps to address vulnerabilities and enhance network performance. These recommendations should be practical and prioritized to guide effective improvements.

Best practices for network audits

Conducting regular network audits is essential for maintaining the health and security of your network. Follow these best practices to implement them effectively:

• Regular network audits should be conducted at least annually or bi-annually.
• Use automated tools that offer features such as vulnerability scanning, compliance checks, and performance monitoring. 
• Maintain detailed documentation to help identify recurring issues and trends, making it easier to address them effectively.
• Involve key stakeholders in the process for comprehensive coverage and to address all potential concerns. 
• Review audit findings regularly to identify areas for improvement.

Next steps: Stay secure with Meter

Starting with a strong infrastructure and following up with consistent monitoring means fewer surprises during a network security audit. 

Meter is an end-to-end solution that handles everything from design and installation to ongoing maintenance and support. With Meter, you get:

• Centralized platform: The Meter Dashboard is your single pane of glass for monitoring, managing, and enforcing security policies. We eliminate the need for multiple vendors, installers, and applications while providing complete security, visibility, and control.
• Security: DNS security, malware protection, and VPN capabilities are built-in to prevent unauthorized access and keep your data safe. Real-time insights and alerts help you stay secure.
• Multi-WAN capabilities: Improves failover by spreading network traffic across all active connections, which boosts reliability, increases speed, and makes the best use of your ISP connections.
• Upgrades and relocations included: New hardware is included in your monthly bill. Moving to a new space? We’ll move your entire network over for you, making next month’s network audit hassle-free. 
• 24/7 Monitoring: Remote monitoring means your network is always available. We’ll also help you sort out things with phone support within 24 hours. 

Request a demo of Meter to see how we can help you keep your network secure.