What is the purpose of a security audit?

The purpose of a security audit is fundamentally to evaluate information system security. This process involves systematically examining an organization's information systems, policies, and controls to determine their effectiveness in protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data. It helps identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with regulations and standards, and assess the overall security posture of the organization.

By conducting security audits, organizations can uncover weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers, ensure that security policies are being followed, and verify that adequate security measures are implemented. Furthermore, audits can facilitate risk assessments and help in making informed decisions about improving security practices.

In contrast, the other options may play a role in an organization's overall operations but are not directly related to the primary objective of a security audit. Increasing system performance focuses on optimizing efficiency rather than security evaluation, training employees aims at enhancing human resource capabilities rather than examining system vulnerabilities, and developing new software pertains to application development rather than assessing existing security measures.