Recently, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought innovative initiatives in several fields, including IT auditing. A good example of this incoming technology is ChatGPT, an AI-powered conversational agent that can assist IT auditors in their work.
In this context, this blog post explores the opportunities, threats and challenges associated with leveraging ChatGPT language in the realm of the IT auditing process. Through the introduction of ChatGPT and the fundamentals of IT auditing, this post will demonstrate the pros and cons of this technology while suggesting recommended methods of mitigating associated risks.
ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence Language
ChatGPT language belongs to a class of models called generative pre-trained transformers (GPT). GPT models are designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the input they receive. This model works as a virtual assistant that can understand and respond to human language. ChatGPT can engage in conversations, answer questions, provide information and assist with tasks. It has been trained on a vast amount of text data from the internet.
To interact with ChatGPT, you provide it with a prompt (question), and it generates a response based on its understanding of the input and its pre-learned knowledge. (Figure 1)
The responses are generated by predicting, on statistical patterns, the most likely continuation of the conversation based on the patterns it has learned during training. ChatGPT can understand and generate human-like text because it was trained on a vast amount of data, making it an invaluable tool for information retrieval and analysis.
Understanding the IT Auditing Process
According to ISACA, IT auditing is the process of evaluating an organization’s information technology systems, infrastructure, processes and controls to ensure they are aligned with the organization’s goals and regulations concerning risks. IT auditing functions as a systematic examination of an organization’s IT environment, including its technology, policies, procedures and practices. Its primary objective is to provide assurance that IT resources are used efficiently, information assets are adequately protected and IT-related risks are managed appropriately.
IT auditors are responsible for assessing an organization’s IT system’s effectiveness, efficiency and reliability to identify vulnerabilities to recommend improvements. IT auditing’s key focus areas include governance and management, information security, IT operations and infrastructure, data management and privacy, and compliance and legal requirements.
ISACA provides guidelines, frameworks and certifications, such as COBIT 2019 and the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), to promote professional standards and practices in IT auditing.
Matching ChatGPT and IT Auditing
Based on ChatGPT and IT auditing fundamentals, ChatGPT can assist IT auditors in several fields, such as those described in Figure 2:
Additionally, IT auditors can enhance competencies by leveraging ChatGPT technology into their work, such as those described in Table 1:
By embracing ChatGPT, IT auditors can gain relevant skills concerning the digital landscape. ChatGPT complements human expertise, and auditors should improve their competencies through AI.
ChatGPT should not replace human judgment and expertise. Thus, auditors should validate and interpret the AI-generated results, considering the context, limitations and biases of the AI system. Truly, the collaboration between human auditors and ChatGPT can leverage the strengths of both to achieve more effective and comprehensive audit outcomes.
Pros and Cons of ChatGPT in IT Auditing
From this perspective, Table 2 describes ChatGPT opportunities and threats concerning IT auditing.
While there are potential benefits to applying ChatGPT in the IT auditing process, there are risks associated with this technology.
Recommendations for Managing ChatGPT Risks in IT Auditing
To mitigate these risks, it is important to integrate ChatGPT in IT auditing with a cautious and critical mindset. From this perspective, Box 1 describes a set of recommendations to mitigate ChatGPT risks concerning IT auditing.
Remember that it is essential to continuously monitor and assess the AI technology provider’s practices to ensure they align with your expectations and requirements as an IT auditor.
Collaboration between human auditors and ChatGPT, with proper oversight and controls, can help strike a balance between leveraging AI capabilities and ensuring the integrity of the auditing process. Thus, protecting sensitive data and ensuring security controls are in place should be considered to establish trust and confidence with AI technology providers.
ChatGPT offers significant opportunities for IT auditors, including enhanced efficiency, real-time monitoring, improved data analytics and risk assessment. However, auditors must be mindful of the ethical concerns, security risks and limitations associated with ChatGPT. A collaborative approach that combines the strengths of human auditors with the capabilities of ChatGPT will yield the most effective IT auditing practices.
Auditors should understand the AI system limitations and biases, validate its outputs and supplement them with their own expertise and judgment. ChatGPT should not replace the expertise and judgment of human auditors.
Moreover, it is essential to work closely with cybersecurity professionals and follow established security frameworks and standards, such as ISO 27001, COBIT 2019 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, to ensure a comprehensive and robust security posture. Regularly assess and improve security controls to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data.
