Episode 46: IT Components
Welcome to The Bare Metal Cyber CISA Prepcast. This series helps you prepare for the exam with focused explanations and practical context.
Understanding IT components is fundamental to every aspect of IT auditing because every system, service, and control depends on physical and logical infrastructure working in harmony. From servers to applications to cloud services, every IT environment is built on a complex network of interdependent technologies. If auditors lack a foundational understanding of how components interact, they may overlook misconfigurations, unsupported hardware, unlicensed software, or insecure connections. These overlooked elements often become the root cause of audit findings or system failures. The CISA exam frequently tests your ability to recognize component risks, such as a missing patch on an endpoint, a misconfigured switch, or an unsecured API. Without component fluency, it becomes difficult to assess control coverage, identify vulnerabilities, or follow data flows across systems. This domain helps build the knowledge base necessary to evaluate whether technology is configured, maintained, and controlled properly.
Hardware components form the backbone of IT infrastructure and include items like servers, desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and network gear such as routers and switches. Input and output devices, including scanners, printers, and biometric readers, also fall into this category. Storage hardware spans internal and external hard drives, solid-state drives, removable media, and enterprise storage systems like Storage Area Networks or Network Attached Storage. Backup hardware such as tape libraries, cloud-connected appliances, or disk-based units are essential to data protection strategies. Auditors evaluate these assets by reviewing inventory tracking, checking for lifecycle planning, verifying physical access controls, and ensuring that hardware is maintained according to policy. Mismanaged or undocumented hardware introduces risk, both from an availability and a security standpoint.
Software components are as critical as the hardware they run on. This includes operating systems like Windows, Linux, and UNIX, which control access to memory, CPU, and storage. Enterprise applications such as email platforms, customer relationship management systems, and database engines form the business-facing functionality of most organizations. Custom software introduces additional risk due to development variability, while off-the-shelf software requires patching and license compliance. Middleware connects systems, enabling interoperability and integration. Auditors assess whether software is properly patched, whether change control is enforced for deployments and updates, and whether the organization maintains a current software inventory. On the CISA exam, you may be asked to evaluate whether auditors correctly addressed software risk based on patching schedules, unsupported applications, or license violations.
Network components allow systems to communicate both internally and externally and include routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and wireless access points. These devices form the fabric of LANs, WANs, and VPNs, all of which support connectivity across geographic regions and secure remote access. Key supporting technologies such as DNS, DHCP, and directory services allow systems to resolve names, assign IPs, and control access. Network segmentation is a best practice that limits exposure by isolating critical systems. Auditors evaluate whether network devices are monitored for uptime, configured to limit unnecessary services, and protected with redundancy to support failover. The CISA exam may include scenarios that test your ability to recognize whether poor configuration or missing monitoring on network infrastructure created a security or availability risk.
Databases and storage systems are core components where critical information is created, processed, and retained. Relational database systems like SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL manage structured data, while NoSQL platforms support unstructured or high-volume analytics workloads. Data warehouses and data lakes are used for business intelligence and compliance reporting. Storage strategies include redundant systems like RAID, replication to multiple nodes, and snapshots to support fast recovery. Auditors focus on logical access controls that protect data against unauthorized viewing or alteration, backup validation procedures, and encryption policies. For the CISA exam, questions may require you to determine whether backups are occurring as scheduled, whether data retention meets policy, or whether access to sensitive data is properly restricted.
Modern environments increasingly use virtualization and cloud platforms to increase flexibility and reduce costs. Hypervisors like VMware or Hyper-V allow physical servers to host multiple virtual machines, each acting as its own server instance. Containers like Docker or Kubernetes enable developers to package applications with all dependencies into isolated environments. Cloud infrastructure takes this further with models such as Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service. Many organizations operate in hybrid or multi-cloud setups, which distribute workloads across providers. The shared responsibility model defines what the vendor secures versus what the customer must control. CISA candidates must understand the security implications of virtualized and cloud-based components, including how access, logging, encryption, and workload isolation are maintained in these dynamic environments.
Peripheral and endpoint devices include any user-facing or embedded technology that interacts with the core IT infrastructure. This ranges from smartphones and tablets to kiosks, sensors, scanners, and Internet of Things devices. These endpoints often lack sufficient patching, run outdated firmware, or remain unmanaged, introducing significant vulnerabilities. Endpoint protection solutions, such as antivirus software, endpoint detection and response platforms, and mobile device management tools, help reduce risk. Data loss prevention tools enforce port control and restrict the transfer of sensitive files. Auditors must assess whether endpoints are tracked, secured, and included in vulnerability scans, and whether removable media policies are enforced. The CISA exam may challenge your ability to identify gaps in endpoint control or evaluate mobile risk in a bring-your-own-device environment.
System interdependencies and interfaces are everywhere in modern environments, and each connection introduces potential for data leakage or control failure. Systems rarely operate in isolation; they often exchange data using APIs, middleware, message queues, or file transfers. Each interface requires validation, logging, and error handling. Auditors assess whether these connections are secure, whether they are monitored, and whether reconciliation procedures exist to identify mismatches or data loss. Logging is particularly important when asynchronous jobs are involved, such as batch processing or third-party integrations. The CISA exam may test your understanding of interface controls and whether the failure to secure an API or middleware component contributed to a breach or audit finding.
Good documentation and configuration management are essential for controlling IT components across the environment. Up-to-date inventories help organizations know what assets they have, where they reside, and who supports them. Configuration Management Databases, or CMDBs, provide centralized visibility into component versions, locations, and dependencies. Network maps and architecture diagrams help visualize connectivity and control points. Poor documentation leaves organizations blind to emerging risks, complicates incident response, and results in weak audit findings. Auditors confirm whether configurations are version-controlled, whether ownership is assigned, and whether support documentation is sufficient for long-term maintenance and control validation. The CISA exam often includes questions involving asset tracking or gaps in system documentation.
To succeed on the CISA exam and in real-world auditing, candidates must be fluent in IT components and how they relate to control effectiveness. You must be able to identify hardware, software, networking, and storage technologies, assess the risks they introduce, and determine which controls apply. You will encounter scenarios where misconfigured systems, undocumented endpoints, or insecure interfaces are the root cause of failures or compliance gaps. Mastery of IT components improves your ability to ask the right questions, trace root causes, and deliver meaningful audit results. Whether you are auditing a system migration, a cloud environment, or a data center, your understanding of IT components is foundational to performing effective audits and identifying where improvements must be made.
Thanks for joining us for this episode of The Bare Metal Cyber CISA Prepcast. For more episodes, tools, and study support, visit us at Baremetalcyber.com.
