IS Auditor's Primary Focus Area for Verifying Virtualization Security

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When an organization introduces virtualization into its architecture, an IS auditor's primary area of focus should be to verify adequate protection of shared storage space.

Virtualization is a technology that enables the creation of multiple virtual instances of operating systems, applications, and resources that can run on a single physical server. This technology offers many benefits, such as increased flexibility, better resource utilization, and reduced costs. However, it also introduces new security risks, such as unauthorized access, data leakage, and virtual machine (VM) sprawl. Therefore, an IS auditor needs to ensure that the organization has implemented adequate protection mechanisms to mitigate these risks.

Shared storage space is one of the critical components of virtualization, as it enables multiple VMs to access the same data simultaneously. However, it also creates a potential security risk if not adequately protected. For example, if one VM is compromised, it can potentially access and modify data belonging to other VMs sharing the same storage space. To mitigate this risk, the organization should implement access controls, such as role-based access control (RBAC), to ensure that only authorized users can access the shared storage space.

In addition to access controls, the organization should also implement encryption to protect the data stored on the shared storage space. Encryption can help to prevent unauthorized access and data leakage, as well as ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data. The IS auditor should verify that the organization has implemented encryption using industry-standard algorithms and that the encryption keys are securely managed.

Finally, the IS auditor should also verify that the organization has implemented backup and recovery procedures for the shared storage space. These procedures should include regular backups of the data, as well as testing of the recovery process to ensure that it is effective in case of a disaster.

In conclusion, when an organization introduces virtualization into its architecture, an IS auditor's primary area of focus should be to verify adequate protection of shared storage space. This includes verifying the implementation of access controls, encryption, and backup and recovery procedures.