Penetration Testing: Paper - Audit Taxonomy

[cwright () bdosyd com au]

Hello,
A while back now I mentioned that I was going to write a definative paper on audit terminology. A few people asked me 
to forward this and I know a people had been looking to pick it apart ;).

The paper is now released (a little latter than anticipated, but such is life). It is titled:
"A Taxonomy of Information Systems Audits, Assessments and Reviews"

It is available directly from:
http://www.sans.org/reading_room/whitepapers/auditing/1801.php

Or via the SANS reading room at:
http://www.sans.org/reading_room/last.php     and
http://www.sans.org/reading_room/whitepapers/auditing/

The assertions made in the paper are validated experimentally in the second half of the paper for those who enjoy a 
little math.

Regards,
Craig S Wright

Abstract:
Common misconceptions plague information systems audit as to the nature of security,
audit and assessment types and definitions. The dissertation aims at being a definitive
guide to define the terminology and detail the related methodologies across the range of
information assurance services. The idea is to not only detail and define the types of
audit, assessment inspections [etc], but to compare and evaluate the various strengths and
benefits of each in a simple and referential critique that may remove an abstraction of
error and confusion surrounding these services. The paper will cover the types, history
and basis for each type of service. The paper statistically compares the strengths and
weaknesses of each and sets out a scientifically repeatable foundation for the
deterministic nomenclature used in the industry.

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