What does a security audit assess?

A security audit primarily evaluates the effectiveness of an organization’s cybersecurity measures. This involves a comprehensive review of the policies, practices, and controls in place to protect the organization's information assets. During a security audit, various aspects are analyzed, such as adherence to security standards, the actual implementation of security controls, and the overall security posture of the organization. This assessment helps identify vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, ensuring that the cybersecurity strategies are not only in place but also functioning as intended to mitigate risks effectively.

The other options do not capture the primary focus of a security audit. While costs associated with cybersecurity measures and stakeholder satisfaction might be valuable areas of concern for an organization, they fall outside the direct scope of a security audit. Similarly, assessing the training needs of IT staff is important but is more related to workforce development rather than evaluating the security framework itself. Therefore, the primary role of a security audit is to provide insights into the effectiveness of existing cybersecurity measures, aligning with the selection of the correct answer.