I’m currently enrolled in an IT Audit class that requires me to write a term paper spanning 5-6 single-spaced pages. I’m looking for a topic that would be relatively easy to research and help me reach that page limit without being overly time-consuming. Here are some potential topics I’m considering:
- SOX Compliance Plan
In this scenario, you work for a privately held company planning to go public within two years. Given the size of the company, it will need to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) upon going public. The Internal Audit Department has been tasked with outlining the steps necessary for compliance, which will involve both financial and IT controls. The paper would elaborate on creating a SOX compliance timeline, detailing necessary controls, testing the effectiveness of design controls, and addressing legal requirements from an IT General Controls and IT Application Controls perspective.
- COBIT Assessment
As organizations increasingly seek effective IT governance, COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies) provides a comprehensive framework for aligning IT with business strategies. How would you conduct a COBIT assessment across its four domains and 34 processes? This paper could explore the benefits of such an assessment for IT auditors and control professionals from an IT viewpoint.
- Digital Forensics in Fraud Examination
In today’s corporate landscape, digital forensics plays a crucial role in both internal and external investigations. This paper could focus on the challenges faced during fraud examinations, including evidence collection, preservation, and the chain of custody required in digital forensics. Discussing the evidence lifecycle and procedures for gathering computer evidence can provide valuable insights.
- Disaster Recovery Planning in Banking
Banks were early adopters of IT, making their approach to disaster recovery critical in mitigating risks. This topic would explore threat assessments, business impact analyses, and IT disaster recovery planning processes tailored to meet the needs of banking institutions, ensuring fiscal responsibility throughout.
- IT Risk Management Strategies
Effective risk management is vital in IT, particularly as online systems are increasingly vulnerable to threats. As an internal auditor, what factors would you consider for risk identification, mitigation, acceptance, and analysis? This paper could detail control examples and effective risk management strategies organizations can implement.
- Segregation of Duties (SoD)
A key internal control is the segregation of duties to prevent fraud. As an IT auditor, this paper would examine business risks associated with SoD, relevant control mechanisms, and their significance in enhancing Audit efficiency, considering both logical system access and broader organizational implications.
- Impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on IT Auditors
The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted to prevent future economic crises, presents several challenges for IT auditors tasked with ensuring controls are effective. This paper would serve as a comprehensive overview of the role of IT auditors in relation to Dodd-Frank, though it may provide a more complex subject for a term paper.
I’m leaning toward one of these topics for ease of research and to meet the page requirement. Any suggestions or preferences?
One response
It sounds like you have a lot of interesting topics to choose from! Considering your need for an easier and less time-consuming option for your term paper, I would recommend the Segregation of Duties (SOD) topic. Here’s why:
Familiarity: SOD is a fundamental concept in internal controls that is widely discussed in IT auditing. There are plenty of resources available that explain the principles and best practices, making it easier to gather information without extensive research.
Clear Structure: Writing about SOD allows for a clear structure. You can discuss the concept itself, the business risks associated with inadequate segregation, various control mechanisms that can mitigate these risks, and conclude with its relevance to IT auditing. This structured approach can help you reach your page limit more easily.
Relatable Examples: You can leverage real-world examples of SOD failures and successes in organizations, which will enrich your paper without requiring overly complex analysis.
Relevance: Since SOD is a critical aspect of internal controls, it’s a topic that is always relevant in discussions about IT audits, cybersecurity, and corporate governance. This relevance can make the writing process more engaging for you.
By focusing on SOD, you’ll likely find it easier to develop your arguments, reach the required length, and complete your research in a timely manner. Good luck with your paper!