Playbook For Audit Readiness: Step 7: Test Audit Readiness

Don’t just assume you’re ready - prove it

Ensure your program performs when it matters most

Too many companies skip this step, only to learn that their controls don’t map correctly, evidence is scattered, or processes are inconsistent across departments.

A test of audit readiness helps you:

Uncover gaps before the auditor does
Validate evidence collection and documentation
Align expectations between your team and the audit firm
Build internal confidence that you’re truly audit-ready
Reduce delays and disruptions when the real audit begins

What an Audit Readiness Test Should Include

A solid readiness test evaluates not only whether you’ve done the work, but whether you can prove it—clearly, quickly, and consistently. Here's what to cover:

Evidence Review

Can you produce documentation that supports each control? Is it current, complete, and mapped to the appropriate framework?

Policy & Procedure Review

Your team isn't comfortable in leading deep compliance conversations especially if you’re buried in delivery.

Interviews & Walkthroughs

Could your employees answer an auditor’s questions confidently and accurately? Are control owners ready to show their work?

Control Testing

Are technical and administrative controls functioning as expected? Can you demonstrate effectiveness over time?

Auditor Alignment

Talk to your auditor and understand how they’ll approach the audit, what documentation they expect, and what systems they’ll sample.

The steps that got you started will not get you to scale

Here's what's likely holding you back—and what to do instead:


	Traditional Approach	Operational Approach
Timing	Scramble just weeks before the audit	Conduct periodic readiness tests well in advance

Method	Manual review of static checklists	Real-time tied to live evidence and dynamic controls

Visibility	Siloed documents across departments	Centralized across people, policies, and systems

Team	One person (in IT or Security) carries the load	Assigned control owners collaborate across teams

Outcome	Surprises, fire drills, and rework	Confidence, clarity, and faster audit timelines

Readiness Testing Action Plan

Audit Management

Assign Control Owners Early
Identify who owns each control, policy, or requirement and train them on what “audit-ready” means for their domain.
Run Internal Readiness Assessments
Schedule internal checks using your GRC platform or checklist aligned with your target framework.
Use Evidence-Based Testing
Validate readiness by linking live system data, documents, and training records to each control.
Simulate an Audit
Treat one of your assessments like a mock audit. Time how long it takes to respond to evidence requests.
Score and Track Progress
Grade each area (People, Processes, Technology, Controls) for readiness and revisit anything not “audit-ready.”

Work with Your External Auditor

Ready for the real test?

This is where preparation meets performance.

Let’s make sure your audit process is streamlined, stress-free, and built on mutual trust

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Reassess & Remediate

STEP 7: Test Your Audit Readiness

Catch Gaps Before They Erode Trust