How to Become a Security Auditor?

Businesses today survive by the strength of their digital defenses. With cybercrime costing the global economy trillions yearly, companies cannot afford blind spots. That’s where a security auditor steps in. They’re the ones who dig past the surface to see if security measures actually hold up under pressure. 

For companies, this role involves more than just passing audits. It’s about maintaining customer trust, preventing legal penalisation, and ensuring security practices keep pace with evolving threats. 

But breaking into this field and excelling in it takes more than technical know-how. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to become a security auditor- the skills that matter, the certifications that get you noticed, and the practical steps to land this high-demand role. 

Who is a security auditor? 

A security auditor is a cybersecurity professional who evaluates an organization’s defenses. Their role is to ensure that the security posture is efficient and compliant with the necessary regulations. 

Security auditors dig into hardware, software, system configurations, and user practices to spot vulnerabilities and verify compliance with relevant regulations like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. The leading roles and responsibilities of a security auditor include the following: 

1. Map security to business goals: Security auditors tailor audits to the company’s size, industry, and regulatory obligations. 
2. Run systematic audits: They review systems, configurations, logs, and access controls to identify blind spots. 
3. Spot vulnerabilities early on: A security auditor’s role involves identifying unpatched systems, weak passwords, or risky user behaviors before exploiting them. 
4. Check compliance rigorously: They measure policies and practices against compliance standards like SOC 2, PCI DSS, and NIST. 
5. Prioritize and recommend fixes: Security auditors are responsible for assessing and ranking risks by impact, providing clear remediation steps. 
6. Assist in incident handling: They contribute to investigation, remediation, and taking relevant action steps. 
7. Stay ahead of emerging threats: They help track emerging threats, tools, and best practices to keep audit relevant. 

Typically, the focus is on digital assets like access controls, networks, applications, and cloud systems. But audits can also extend to physical security, such as protecting security centers or safeguarding sensitive hardware. In fact, many organizations distinguish between a physical and an IT security auditor, though in practice, both roles share the same objective: ensuring no gaps threaten the integrity of the business. 

At its core, a security auditor is both a gatekeeper and a guide. They give businesses confidence that their security can withstand attackers and regulatory scrutiny. 

What skills and qualifications are required to become a security auditor? 

To become a security auditor you must possess technical know-how and soft skills to succeed as a security auditor. Here are the core skills that can help you build a strong security auditor profile: 

Technical skills 

• Network and application security: Solid grasp of systems communication, common vulnerabilities, and secure configurations. 
• Familiarity with security standards: A strong understanding of relevant compliance standards for your organization. 
• Audit tooling proficiency: Hands-on experience with vulnerability scanners, penetration testing frameworks, and monitoring solutions to spot weaknesses. 
• Incident handling: Being skilled in analyzing logs, tracing breaches, and contributing to remediation efforts. 
• Cloud security awareness: Familiarity with assessing cloud environments and mapping controls across providers like AWS, Azure, or GCP. 

Compliance and regulatory knowledge

• Framework expertise: Working knowledge of ISO 27001, CCPA, GDPR, SOC 2, and other relevant compliance regulations and how they apply in practice. 
• Risk assessment methods: Understanding how to measure risk severity and prioritize fixes. 
• Policy and governance: Experience drafting, reviewing, and updating security policies in line with regulatory demands. 

Analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Risk interpretation: Understanding the difference between minor vulnerabilities and issues that could amount to regulatory fines or operational shutdowns.
• Pattern recognition: Spotting trends in logs, user behavior, or configurations that signal potential weaknesses. 
• Strategic mindset: Linking technical findings to business impact and long-term risk reduction. 

Communication and interpersonal skills 

• Stakeholder engagement: Explaining compliance gaps to leadership teams and employees in plain, practical language. 
• Training and awareness: Delivering security education sessions that help employees understand compliance and risk reduction roles. 
• Cross-team collaboration: Working across IT, compliance, legal, and operations to ensure every team is on the same page. 

Educational background and professional experience

Most security auditors begin with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related IT field. A Master’s in Cybersecurity isn’t mandatory, but it can provide hands-on training and a competitive edge, especially for senior or specialized positions. 

Employers expect 3-5 years of experience in IT security, auditing, or compliance before hiring for mid-level roles. Entry-level positions are ideal for graduates with internships or IT support backgrounds. Meanwhile, senior roles demand  5+ years of direct audit experience, often with industry specialization. 

While education and experience build the foundation, certifications set candidates apart. You can gain an edge over other candidates with the proper certifications while proving expertise and unlocking more opportunities. 

Key certifications for security auditors 

Earning the proper certifications can significantly boost your credibility as a security auditor. Here are some of the most recognized credentials in the field: 

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)

Offered by ISACA, CISA is a gold standard for auditors. As a security professional, this certification will help validate your expertise and open up career opportunities. It covers domains like information systems, auditing processes, and governance management of information technology. 

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

This globally recognized credential from ISC² trains you to perform activities such as safeguarding an organization’s network and supervising an entire cybersecurity team. As part of the certification, you will gain expertise in communication and network security, security and risk management, and identity and access management. 

CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Security Control)

The focus of this certification is on the areas of IT risk management and governance. It helps you prove your skills in information system controls and governance. CRISC also covers the domains of risk response and reporting, information technology, and security. 

CompTIA Security+

This is an entry-level certification that covers core cybersecurity concepts. The CompTIA Security+ certification will equip you with skills in assessing different threats, using security tech, risk analysis, and implementing compliance and operational security measures. 

SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)

This is another certification ideal for early-career practitioners. It helps demonstrate proficiency in implementing and monitoring IT security controls. 

CET (Certified in Emerging Technologies)

Another certification ISACA offers, CET, validates knowledge across cloud, IoT, blockchain, and AI. It gives auditors a strong foundation in fast-evolving technologies. 

Besides these certifications, numerous other cybersecurity certifications can help you build a strong profile as a security auditor. 

How to become a security auditor?

No one wakes up and becomes a security auditor on day one. It’s a career you grow into by taking the proper steps. Here are the seven steps to become a security auditor: 

Step 1: Attain a degree in the right field

A Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, IT, or related fields will help build a foundation. As a security professional, you must know cryptography, risk management, and network security fundamentals. With this understanding, you will be better equipped to safeguard an organization’s security posture and avoid vulnerabilities. 

A master’s degree is also an option for more advanced and specialized roles, but it’s not a must. 

Step 2: Gain hands-on IT and security experience 

Move into entry-level security or IT roles such as systems administrator, security analyst, or IT support. These roles will help you gain insight into IT operations and understand how security measures work in practice. 

With 3-5 years of experience, you’ll be ready to step closer to auditor roles. This experience will equip you to recognize security weaknesses and frame solid strategies against threats.  

Step 3: Strengthen core technical skills 

Learn how to use common audit and security tools like Sprinto and get comfortable with programming basics like Python or Java to understand system behavior. Exposure to cloud security and risk assessment frameworks will help you add extra value. 

Step 4: Earn recognized certifications

Getting the proper certifications will help you validate your skills and stand out amongst other candidates. CompTIA Security+ or GSEC is ideal for more foundational knowledge. More advanced and specialized ones like CISA, CISSP, CET, or CISM can help you progress further in your career. These will prove credibility to your employers.  

Step 5: Sharpen analytical and communication capabilities 

As a security auditor, you are not just limited to conducting audits. A significant part of your role will also involve capturing and communicating insights to stakeholders. A great auditor should be able to connect the dots. Training yourself in critical thinking, attention to detail, and root cause analysis will help you excel. 

Step 6: Transition into audit-focused work 

Once you have built a foundation in IT and security, you need to start moving towards audit-specific responsibilities. This could take the form of assisting with internal audits or contributing to compliance reviews. These experiences allow you to demonstrate your skills and confidence in stepping into the role of a security auditor. 

Step 7: Build your network 

Security auditing is as much about staying current as applying what you know. Joining professional communities, attending conferences, and regularly getting involved in online forums relevant will help you keep pace with new frameworks, tools, and threats. Networking also connects you with mentors, peers and job opportunities that can accelerate your career growth. 

Career growth & opportunities 

Breaking into security auditing is only the start. Once you’re in, your career can branch into several directions, offering strong demand, competitive pay, and room for growth. Here’s what the landscape looks like: 

Career paths

Security auditors can choose to specialize based on their interests and strengths. Here are some potential roles you can progress into, as you gain more experience and grow in your career: 

• IT Security Auditor: An IT security auditor focuses on the technical side of auditing and is responsible for testing systems, networks, and cloud platforms. Broadly, the role focuses on keeping an organization’s IT environment secure. 
• Cybersecurity Consultant: You can build on your audit expertise to advise organizations on improving security posture. They identify vulnerabilities, recommend improvements, and help design strong cybersecurity policies and practices. 
• Corporate Compliance Auditor: A corporate compliance auditor is responsible for assessing a company’s adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies. The role focuses on whether an organization meets the requirements outlined in applicable regulations. 
• Third-party Audit Consultant: You can work as a third-party audit consultant after gaining experience as an in-house audit/compliance expert. Typically, the role would involve working with multiple clients to assess vendors, supply chains, and service providers. 
• Risk Management Specialist: This role uses knowledge of risk frameworks and assessments to help organizations identify, prioritize, and mitigate threats to their information assets. If you have a strong background in risk evaluation, you can enjoy a smooth transition into this role. 

Salary outlook

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median salary for Information Security Analysts, a category that includes auditors, was $102,600 as of May 2021. This field shows good growth, with projected demand rising 35% between 2021 and 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations. 

Future outlook 

As businesses adopt cloud technologies, AI, and complex digital supply chains, the role of auditors has become even more critical. As a result, you can expect a rising demand for auditors with regulatory and vendor risk management expertise. The key to growth lies in continuous learning, and staying ahead of the regulatory landscape. 

Building a career in security auditing 

Security auditors are vital in keeping businesses resilient against threats and compliant with ever-changing regulations. Their profession combines technical skill with real-world impact. 

By building the right foundation—education, IT/audit experience, and certifications—you can break into security auditing and grow across roles like IT Security, compliance, or risk management. 

With competitive salaries and growing demand for this role, security auditing is a career worth pursuing for those ready to step up. 

FAQs

Who is a security auditor?

A security auditor is responsible for assessing an organization’s systems, networks, policies, and processes. They aim to ensure they are secure, compliant, and resilient against threats. 

How to start a career in security auditing? 

Most auditors begin in IT or information security roles (like system administrator or security analyst). These positions provide exposure to security and auditing fundamentals, organizational policies, and cybersecurity laws— thereby helping you build a strong foundation in the field. 

Do I need certifications to work as a security auditor? 

While holding certifications when applying for jobs is not necessary, it always helps you gain a better edge over other candidates. Certifications like CISA, CISSP, and CRISC can significantly improve job prospects, salary potential, and career progression.