Prepare and Defend Against a Software Audit
A mishandled audit can result in financial consequences far more severe than a slap on the wrist.
Book This Workshop
A failed audit can result in:
- Large unexpected punitive fines or injunctions
- Disruption to business continuity
- Follow-on audits (potentially from other vendors)
- Reduced negotiating power with vendors
A proactive approach to audits leads to:
- Reduced risk of non-compliance and avoidance of cost repercussions
- Reduced duration of audit and minimal disruption to business continuity
- Clear understanding of regulatory requirements and licensing strategy as business needs evolve
- Understanding and development of a SAM practice with accurate data for effective decision making
Book Your Workshop
Onsite Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn’t enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our Project Workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a road map in place to complete your project successfully.
Book NowModule 1: Prevent an Audit
The Purpose
- Kick off the project
- Identify challenges and red flags
- Determine maturity and outline internal audit
- Clarify stakeholder responsibilities
- Build and structure audit team
Key Benefits Achieved
- Leverage value from your audit management program
- Begin your proactive audit management journey
- A documented consolidated licensing position, which ensures that you are not blindsided by a sudden audit request
| Activities: | Outputs: | |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Perform a maturity assessment of the current environment |
|
| 1.2 | Classify licensing contracts/vendors |
|
| 1.3 | Conduct a software inventory |
|
| 1.4 | Meter application usage |
|
| 1.5 | Manual checks |
|
| 1.6 | Gather software licensing data |
|
| 1.7 | Reconcile licenses |
|
| 1.8 | Create your audit team and assign accountability |
|
Module 2: Prepare for an Audit
The Purpose
- Create a strategy for audit response
- Know the types of requests
- Scope the engagement
- Understand scheduling challenges
- Know roles and responsibilities
- Understand common audit pitfalls
- Define audit goals
Key Benefits Achieved
- Take control of the situation and prepare a measured response
- A dedicated team responsible for all audit-related activities
- A formalized audit plan containing team responsibilities and audit conduct policies
| Activities: | Outputs: | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Use Info-Tech’s readiness assessment template |
|
| 2.2 | Define the scope of the audit |
|
Module 3: Conduct the Audit
The Purpose
- Overview of process conducted
- Kick-off and self-assessment
- Identify documentation requirements
- Prepare required documentation
- Data validation process
- Provide resources to enable the auditor
- Tailor audit management to vendor compliance position
- Enforce best-practice audit behaviors
Key Benefits Achieved
- A successful audit with minimal impact on IT resources
- Reduced severity of audit findings
| Activities: | Outputs: | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Communicate audit commencement to staff |
|
Module 4: Manage Post-Audit Activities
The Purpose
- Clarify auditor findings and recommendations
- Access severity of audit findings
- Develop a plan for refuting unwarranted findings
- Disclose findings to management
- Analyze opportunities for remediation
- Provide remediation options and present potential solutions
Key Benefits Achieved
- Ensure your audit was productive and beneficial
- Improve your ability to manage audits
- Come to a consensus on which findings truly necessitate organizational change
| Activities: | Outputs: | |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Don't accept the penalties; negotiate with vendors |
|
| 4.2 | Close the audit and assess the financial impact |
|