If a company receives repeated attacks despite having security measures in place, what should be the priority action?

Conducting a comprehensive security audit is the priority action in this scenario because it allows the company to thoroughly assess its entire security posture, identifying vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and gaps in its current security measures that may have been overlooked. This holistic approach enables the organization to understand the nature of the attacks it is facing, how the existing defenses are performing, and what additional measures may be needed to bolster security.

A well-conducted security audit will provide insights into both technological defenses and employee behaviors, evaluating factors such as network configuration, software vulnerabilities, access control policies, and the adequacy of incident response processes. By identifying and addressing the underlying issues that allowed the attacks to occur, the company can develop a more effective, targeted security strategy.

While increasing the frequency of scans, upgrading software systems, or restricting access may offer additional layers of security, without first understanding the root causes of the breaches, these actions may not effectively mitigate the ongoing threat. The audit serves as a critical first step towards implementing long-term, sustainable security improvements.