Which of the following best describes a security audit?

A security audit is fundamentally an assessment of security measures and protocols in place within an organization. It involves a meticulous examination of the existing security policies, procedures, and controls to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices. The primary goal of a security audit is to evaluate the effectiveness of current measures in protecting against security threats and to provide actionable insights for enhancing security.

This process typically includes reviewing access controls, security infrastructure, incident response procedures, and the overall security posture of the organization. By systematically evaluating these elements, a security audit helps organizations identify weaknesses and areas for improvement, thereby fostering a more secure environment.

The other choices do not encapsulate the essence of a security audit. A review of employee performance focuses on staff evaluations, which are not central to security assessments. Training sessions for new security staff are critical for preparing personnel but do not constitute an audit of existing security protocols. Upgrading technology systems is part of enhancing security but does not inherently represent the comprehensive evaluation that an audit entails.