What is the purpose of a security audit?

The purpose of a security audit is to assess the effectiveness of the security measures that are currently in place within an organization. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of security protocols, policies, and controls to determine whether they adequately protect the organization's information systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities. A security audit helps identify weaknesses, compliance with standards, and any gaps in the security posture. This process is crucial for ensuring that adequate measures are implemented to mitigate risks and safeguard sensitive information. By regularly conducting security audits, organizations can adapt to new threats and improve their overall security strategy.

The other options do not align with the primary objectives of a security audit. Developing new software applications focuses on software development and does not relate to security assessments. Increasing system processing speed is centered around performance optimization rather than evaluating security. Gathering user feedback on security tools may help improve specific products but is not the overarching goal of a security audit.