Information System Control and Audit-I

Information Systems Concepts
General Systems Concepts – Nature and types of systems, nature and types of information, attributes of information. Management Information System – Role of information within business information systems –various types of information systems – TPC, MIS, DSS, EIS, ES

Systems Development Life Cycle Methodology
Introduction to SDLC/Basics of SDLC, Requirements analysis and systems design techniques.
Strategic considerations : Acquisition decisions and approaches Software evaluation and selection/development
Alternate development methodologies- RAD, Prototype etc Hardware evaluation and selection
Systems operations and organization of systems resources.
Systems documentation and operation manuals
User procedures, training and end user computing
System testing, assessment, conversion and start-up
Hardware contracts and software licenses
System implementation
Post-implementation review System maintenance
System safeguards
Brief note on IS Organisation Structure

Control objectives
(a) Information Systems Controls, Need for control, Effect of computers on Internal Audit. Responsibility for control – Management, IT, personnel, auditors Cost effectiveness of control procedure, Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT).
(b) Information Systems Control Techniques Control Design: Preventive and detective controls, Computer-dependent control, Audit, trails, User Controls (Control balancing, Manual follow up) Non-computer-dependent (user) controls: Error identification controls, Error investigation, controls, Error correction controls, Processing recovery controls
(c) Controls over system selection, acquisition/development Standards and controls applicable to IS development projects, Developed / acquired systems.
Vendor evaluation, Structured analysis and design, Role of IS Auditor in System acquisition/selection
(d) Controls over system implementation, Acceptance testing methodologies, System conversion methodologies. Post implement review
Monitoring, use and measurement.
(e) Control over System and program changes, Change management controls, Authorization controls, Documentation controls, Testing and quality controls Custody, copyright and warranties, Role of IS Auditor in Change Management
(f) Control over Data integrity, privacy and security Classification of information, Logical access controls Physical access controls, Environmental controls Security concepts and techniques – Cryptosystems, Data Encryption Standards (DES), Public Key Cryptography & Firewalls, Data security and public networks, Monitoring and surveillance techniques Data Privacy, Unauthorized intrusion, hacking, virus control, Role of IS Auditor in Access Control

Audit Tests of General and Automated Controls
(a) Introduction to basics of testing (reasons for testing);
(b) Various levels/types of testing such as: (i) Performance testing, (ii) Parallel testing,(iii) Concurrent Audit modules/Embedded audit modules, etc.

Risk assessment methodologies and applications: (a) Meaning of Vulnerabilities, Threats, Risks, Controls, (b) Fraud, error, vandalism, excessive costs, competitive disadvantage, business, interruption, social costs, statutory sanctions, etc.
(c) Risk Assessment and Risk Management,
(d) Preventive/detective/corrective strategies