Continuous audit techniques are important IS audit tools,
particularly when they are used in time-sharing environments that
process a large number oftransactions but leave a scarce paper
trail. By permitting IS auditors to evaluate operating controls on
a continuous basis without disrupting the organization's usual
operations, continuous audit techniques improve the security of a
system. When a system is misused by someone withdrawing money
from an inoperative account, a continuous audit technique will
report this withdrawal in a timely fashion to the IS auditor. Thus
the time lag between the misuse of the system and the detection
ofthat misuse is reduced. The realization that failures, improper
manipulation and lack of controls will be detected on a timely basis
by the use of continuous audit procedures gives IS auditors and
management greater confidence in a system's reliability.
Continuous audit very often relies on calls to GAS/CAAT services.