1.7 Scope
The following sections of these notes describe the
main areas of computer audit activity:
• systems under development
• live applications
• IT infrastructure
• audit automation
The extent to which these areas are reviewed and the
depth to which they are examined will vary. Key to
the performance of audit work is a comprehensive
risk based evaluation which should determine the
amount of audit resource required and should also
assist in determining an assessment of a satisfactory
level of security and control.
A brief outline of the involvement of the computer
auditor has been provided for each area. The
purpose of this outline is to give an indication of the
audit considerations rather than to provide an
exhaustive list. Readers are advised to refer to
appropriate text books where additional information
is required, specifically, “Computer Auditing” by Ian J
Douglas and the “CIPFA Computer Auditing
Guidelines” by CIPFA.