Which of the following should be done FIRST to effectively define the IT audit universe for an entity with multiple business lines?
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A. B. C. D.D.
When defining the IT audit universe for an entity with multiple business lines, it is important to establish a clear and comprehensive understanding of the entity's IT environment. This involves identifying the scope of IT processes, assets, and risks to be included in the audit plan. To effectively define the IT audit universe, the FIRST step should be to:
B. Obtain a complete listing of the entity's IT processes.
This step is critical because it provides a comprehensive view of the IT environment and helps identify key areas that require audit attention. By listing all IT processes, the auditor gains a better understanding of the entity's systems, applications, and infrastructure. This understanding helps to ensure that all relevant IT areas are included in the audit universe and that potential risks are identified.
Once a complete listing of IT processes is obtained, the auditor can move on to other important steps, such as identifying assets fundamental to the entity's businesses and key control objectives for each business line's core processes. These steps help to further refine the audit universe by focusing on specific areas that are critical to the entity's operations and require additional scrutiny.
However, without a complete listing of the entity's IT processes, it is difficult to establish a comprehensive and effective IT audit universe. Therefore, obtaining a complete listing of IT processes should be the FIRST step in defining the IT audit universe for an entity with multiple business lines.