Course Information
Assessing Data Reliability
Parking for SAO, Professional Development courses is in Garage B (1511 San Jacinto Blvd.). The Garage signage may read 1511 San Jacinto or Garage B. The elevator in Garage B is not reliable. If you are unable to walk the stairs, please contact the professionaldevelopment@sao.texas.gov for alternate parking arrangements. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
A course coordinator will Email you a parking permit prior to the course start date. A permit must be displayed or you will be ticketed.
Course Description
Assessing the reliability of computer generated data is an important step in audit planning as well as addressing specific audit objectives.
Data is aggregated from various sources, processed using automated rule sets, and stored in databases, data warehouses, etc. Applications and business users extract or retrieve data as the basis for strategic decisions, reporting, day-to-day operations, and auditing.
This seminar will provide auditors with the concepts and tools to effectively evaluate the reliability of data processed and available for analysis and decision making.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the requirements of data relevance and data reliability
• Evaluate data classification
• How to introduce good practices for data management
• Identify data integrity requirements
• Assess security and availability requirements
• Evaluate factors that impact data reliability
• Assess risk with respect to data reliability
• Determine the impact of data reliability assessment on developing audit objectives
• Establish audit evidence requirements
• Use data reliability assessment in developing audit procedures
Course Outline
Data Value
• What is data value - Defining data usefulness
Defining Data Reliability
• Relevance
• Reliance
• Integrity
• Audit Considerations
Operational Requirements for Data Reliability
• Business process requirements
• Legal and compliance requirements
Data Management
• Information architecture
• Data classification
• Distinguishing between controls “in place” and “in effect” for reliability
• Data management definition, ownership and custodianship
Auditing Data Reliability
• Audit objectives
• Audit evidence - Defining audit evidence
- Evaluating sufficiency of audit evidence
• Evaluating internal controls
• Designing audit procedures
Good Practices for Data Management
• Database management
• Database administration
• Change management
• Data security - Access control
- Identity management
- Security management and planning
- User accounts
- Incident management
• Outsourcing
• Business Continuity
Impact of Internal Control on Data Reliability
• Control responsibilities
• Factors that impact control
• Technology and controls
• Risk and data reliability
• Reasonable assurance
• Audit framework - Linking controls to objectives
- “Closing the Loop” audit framework
- Control classification
Developing Audit Objectives for Data Reliability
• Establishing audit objectives
• Developing criteria
Assessing Reliability of Data
• Key focus of the assessment
• Examples of assessments
• The assessment cycle during the audit
Instructors
Nicholas Benvenuto, Jr., CISA
Senior Fellow in IT Audit
Nick is an IT audit professional with over 30 years’ experience. He is a leader as a consultant and trainer in managing, evaluating, and advising in the areas of technology risk and controls.
In addition to his training role at CPE Interactive, he is an independent consultant focusing on minimizing IT risk and improving controls. He specializes in IT project management and control, IT risks and regulatory controls-especially in the financial services sector, business continuity/IT disaster recovery and general IT auditing.
He was previously Director of Group Internal Audit for Old Mutual, a large financial services institution. His work was originally based in New York, but performed a five-year rotation in London. He was a founding managing director of Protiviti and a member of the firm’s CIO Solutions Leadership Council and Global Account Management Executive Team. He held other positions with Arthur Andersen, Prudential Investments, CS First Boston, Coopers & Lybrand, and Chase.
He is a frequent speaker at professional organizations including ISACA, IIA, and AICPA conferences. As a specialist in financial services, he has been a guest speaker for the Federal Reserve, The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.
Nick received a Bachelors in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University, and is a certified Information Systems Auditor, Associate Business Continuity Planner (ABCP), Certified Data Processor (CDP), Certified Systems Professional (CSP), and was formally a Licensed NYSE Series 7 General Securities Registered Representative.
Additional Information
TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
If you are making travel plans to come to Austin, we recommend making "refundable" air and hotel reservations or waiting until 14 days before the class to actually book your reservations. Courses are occasionally canceled or rescheduled due to low enrollment. We determine whether a course has enough participants 16 days prior to the course date. If we cancel or reschedule, we will email the participant and his or her billing contact no later than 14 days before the original class date.
The course coordinator will contact you with parking information. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
Vending machines with Coca-Cola products and various snack items are available. There is also a refrigerator and microwave in our coffee bar area. Feel free to bring in your own drinks and food if you prefer.
You might want to bring a light sweater or jacket, as room temperatures vary.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.sao.texas.gov/training/faq.html.