IT AUDITORS’ ENGAGEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS

Abstract

IT auditors are uniquely equipped to be strong contributors to technology projects, given their experience working with cross-functional teams and their ability to identify risks and suggest mitigating controls. As technology increasingly becomes a driver for enterprise projects, early involvement in those projects from IT auditors becomes critical to those projectsâ€^TM success and a key indicator of the value the IT audit function brings to the enterprise. Concerningly, recent ISACA research shows that only 35 percent of auditors are engaged in technology projects during the planning phase. This article provides guidance on how auditors can position themselves to make an earlier impact and why doing so is so crucial for the future of the IT audit profession.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Krysten McCabe

Krysten McCabe, CISA, is a past board director of ISACA and a director in the Assurance and Advisory Management Program at The Home Depot, a $100B home improvement retailer based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. At The Home Depot, McCabe is responsible for identifying, assessing and mitigating information technology risks in the areas of data security and privacy, IT governance, IT asset management, change control, computer operations and systems development. Additionally, McCabe has oversight for planning and execution of IT compliance and operational audits focused on evaluation of control effectiveness and identification of process improvement opportunities to gain efficiencies. Prior to joining The Home Depot in 2004, McCabe worked at Ernst & Young, LLP as an IT Auditor and at SunTrust Banks, Inc. as an IT Controls Analyst. McCabe also has been a member of ISACA’s Finance and Audit Committees. McCabe holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Decision and Information Sciences, both from the University of Florida.