Digital System Audit (DSA) a means to fully-fledged Digitalisation

Asha D. Abinallah
3 min readOct 11, 2020

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A digital system audit is a comprehensive customised examination indicative of internal systems detailing evident digital applications and solutions obtained by an entity. The deliberate use of entity instead of a specific term such as organisation implies that this sort of audit is not only limited to organisations thus a variety of levels of audit to a variety of establishments can be applied according to customised needs.

There is no question that technology is reshaping every element of our everyday lives. While most organisations recognise and acknowledge that we are indeed global and digital is the inevitable way to go, a very few have fully or effectively applied the digitalisation aspect within their systems, operations and policies/guidelines that guide them. Smart entities (big or small) are now embracing technology to enhance impact and add value in all their operations and systems.

To be able to attain this goal, there is a need for a Digital System Audit which provides a report with insight of available new technologies to help capture data, automate procedures, analyse information and focus on the real risks for immediate mitigation. Central to making a success of digital audit is internal investment of expertise as well. Without the necessary skills and applications of the newly applied Digital Solutions, the client’s team may not be able to make best use of the technology available to them.

The five objectives of Digital System Audit as identified by Harvard Education “Risk Management & Audit Services” is:-

1. Achievement of operational goals and objectives

2. Reliability and integrity of information

3. Safeguarding of assets

4. Effective and efficient use of resources

5. Compliance with significant policies, procedures, laws and regulations

The general long term goal of Digital System Audits is to ensure that adequate, reliable and up to-date digital controls are in place for the integration, security and efficiency of information and procedures.

There are three (3) categories of entities that require Digital System Audit as shown below:-

Three (3) identified levels of Digital Integration by Media Convergency

Media Convergency Company has devised a Digital Integration tool that helps determine the entity’s level of competency between the above three mentioned levels of Digital Integration. The above mentioned categories provide significant reasons on the importance of an holistic approach to developing an appraisal list that is consistent to the entity’s objectives and targeted results; hence our belief on operating on knowing what the client does to be able to offer digital solutions that best fit their needs.

It is important for Media Convergency to understand the entity very well, how it operates and what it intends to achieve before providing proposed solutions. We then develop and then apply a list that would identify the internal digital gaps, digital risks, recommended technologies and digital capacity.

Digitised audit systems reports complement advanced analytics that enable an entity to evaluate performance in more depth, and support more effective decision-making in line with their objectives and internal quality control. The information, analyses and recommendations of the report inevitably adds value to the clients activities once applied effectively.

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Asha D. Abinallah

Expert at the intersection of Internet on Information, Innovation, Technology & Governance in New Media | DW Certified Trainer | CEO at Tech & Media Convergency