Most businesses call for an IT audit after something breaks — a ransomware scare, a failed KRA review, a payroll disaster, or a ERP go-live that doubled timelines.
Smart operators schedule audits before the crisis. Here is when an audit pays for itself, what it covers, and how Altify delivers it.
What an IT audit actually is
An IT audit is a structured review of:
- Systems inventory — what software, hardware, and cloud services you run
- Security posture — access controls, backups, patch status
- Data flows — where customer, financial, and employee data lives
- Integration health — M-Pesa, banks, eTIMS, ERP connections
- Compliance alignment — KRA, CBK, NHIF/NSSF, industry regulations
- Process gaps — manual workarounds that create risk
Output: prioritized findings with quick wins and roadmap items — not a 200-page shelf document.
When you should get an audit now
Before major software investment
Buying ERP, CRM, or a custom build without auditing current state leads to wrong scope and duplicate systems.
After rapid growth
Doubled headcount, new branches, or acquired companies often mean shadow IT — unsanctioned tools holding critical data.
Pre-compliance event
KRA visit, ISO certification, donor funding review, or investor due diligence — auditors expect documented controls.
Post-incident
After phishing, data leak, or payment fraud — understand root cause and prevent recurrence.
Annual hygiene
Mature organizations audit annually like financial audits — especially regulated sectors (fintech, healthcare, SACCO).
Signs you are overdue
- No one can produce a complete systems list in 24 hours
- Passwords shared on WhatsApp for "the system"
- Backups exist but no one tested restore this year
- M-Pesa reconciliation is manual for >50 transactions/day
- eTIMS data does not match POS/ERP totals
- IT requests always answer "we'll fix it later"
If three or more apply, schedule an audit this quarter.
What Altify's free IT audit includes
Our IT audit form triggers a structured engagement:
- Discovery call (30–45 min) — business context, pain points
- Questionnaire — systems, users, branches, compliance scope
- Technical review — remote or on-site depending on complexity
- Findings report — critical / high / medium / low with remediation
- Roadmap session — align on Altify apps vs custom vs third-party
No obligation to purchase — many clients implement quick wins internally first.
Audit areas deep dive
Security
- Multi-factor authentication coverage
- Admin account sprawl
- SSL/TLS and certificate expiry
- Endpoint protection on shop-floor devices
Payments and finance
- LeefiPay or gateway callback verification
- Segregation of duties (who can approve payouts)
- Reconciliation automation vs manual Excel
Tax and statutory
- eTIMS integration status and invoice continuity
- PAYE/NHIF/NSSF data sources vs payroll system
- Fiscal device registration per branch
Operations
- ERP inventory accuracy vs physical counts
- Branch connectivity and offline procedures
- Disaster recovery RTO/RPO definitions
Audit vs penetration test
| Activity | Focus | When |
|---|---|---|
| IT audit | Process, architecture, compliance, risk register | Annual, pre-project |
| Pen test | Exploit vulnerabilities actively | Regulated or post-breach |
| Code review | Application security flaws | Before launch, major release |
Start with audit — pen test when audit identifies external exposure worth probing.
Timeline and effort from your team
- SME (1 location, <50 staff): 3–5 business days, ~4 hours client time
- Mid-market (multi-branch): 2–3 weeks, IT + finance workshops
- Enterprise group: Phased by entity, 4–8 weeks
Deliverables arrive in PDF + optional presentation for leadership.
After the audit: typical paths
- Quick wins — MFA, backup test, reference discipline for M-Pesa
- Altify module deployment — Leesify, LeefiPay, eTIMS, HRM phased
- Custom integration — connect legacy to new hub
- Managed support — ongoing monitoring and releases
How to prepare
- List all software subscriptions and renewal dates
- Identify system owners (not just IT — include finance, HR)
- Gather last KRA filing confirmation and sample reconciliations
- Block calendar for discovery call
Request your audit
Submit IT audit request — company details required so we scope correctly.
The Altify team responds within 24 hours (EAT) with next steps.
Related reading: Off-the-shelf vs custom software and KRA eTIMS compliance guide.