The consensus among panelists was clear: the cornerstone of audit success is preparation. As Phil Chennikkara, Deputy CISO at DRW Holdings, noted:

“It’s all about presentation… Most auditors are just looking to ensure the letter of the law aligns with your policies. Preparation means knowing what they’ll ask—and having the proof ready.”

Peter Mazzola, Head of the Vulnerability Program at Flagstar Bank, echoed that:

“The questions are usually rinse and repeat. You need repeatable processes and documented procedures, and above all, artifacts that prove the work is getting done.”

Being transparent with auditors can turn a potential failure into an opportunity. “If you try to spin findings or aren’t upfront, that’s when it becomes a back-and-forth battle,” said Chennikkara. Instead, he advocates for strategic disclosure:

“Sometimes, it’s about showing that you know there’s a gap and you’re working to fix it. That roadmap can be the difference between a critical finding and a passing score.”

Kim Bauer, NopSec’s Practice Lead for Vulnerability Program Management, emphasized the value of showing progress:

“Even if your program isn’t perfect, if you can demonstrate consistent improvement and have a vision, you can often reduce the severity of findings.”

Audit documentation is often where teams get bogged down. Automation and smart packaging can make all the difference.

“I create folders that map directly to auditor questions. That way they don’t have to hunt for anything,” said Mazzola. “If I can make their job easier, I’ve already won part of the battle.”

Bauer added, “Automation helps us kill the spreadsheets and reduces human error. Tools like NopSec help us prep packets with minimal manual effort.”

Having a GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) partner or dedicated audit resource can transform a chaotic audit season into a smooth, predictable process. Chennikkara shared:

“We hired a full-time GRC person to ensure we’re always audit ready. It’s been a game-changer.”

1. Always Be Audit Ready – Treat audit preparation as an ongoing process, not a last-minute scramble.
   
   
2. Automate Where Possible – Use platforms like NopSec to streamline prioritization, documentation, and artifact management.
   
   
3. Focus on Risk, Not Volume – A risk-based approach helps explain why not every vulnerability gets patched instantly.
   
   
4. Build a Narrative – Auditors want to know you’re improving. Use roadmaps and documentation to tell that story.
   
   
5. Culture Matters – View auditors as partners. Build rapport and respect their process—it pays off.
   
   As Bauer concluded:
   “The auditors aren’t your enemies. They’re there to ensure you're doing the right thing. Transparency, preparation, and the right tools make the difference.”
   
   This post is just a glimpse. To dive deeper into the full discussion—with all the real-life anecdotes, practical tips, and panelist perspectives—watch the full webinar replay. It’s packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss.