Global consulting firm Protiviti recently released the findings from its latest study, “IT Audit Perspectives: Top Technology Risks in 2021,” which reveals that concerns around security, privacy, cloud and other advanced technologies are being further fueled by the pandemic-induced remote work environment and accelerated deployment of new technologies.
The study, conducted in partnership with ISACA, surveyed over 7,400 IT audit leaders across a wide range of industries worldwide.
The report identifies the top 10 IT Audit risks for 2021 and examines how digital leaders weigh risks differently from organizations with lower levels of digital transformation maturity and those who are in the earlier stages of defining and delivering their digital and innovation agenda. Additional key findings from the report include:
- Digital Leaders Stand Out in Frequency of Performing IT Audit Risk Assessments – However, the majority of organizations (67 percent) do not classify themselves as digital leaders, and 11 percent of those non-leaders are not conducting any form of technology risk assessment.
- Cloud Strategy & Adoption a Top Risk for Digital Leaders – Digital leaders are more likely to include cloud technologies in their delivery of business services, as well as in their longer-term planning and strategy.
- Assessment of Tech Risks is a Priority for IT Audit Planning – Nearly two-thirds of organizations surveyed (61 percent) are now identifying and assessing technology risks for the purpose of audit planning as part of the overall internal audit risk assessment process.
