IRAP Compliance: Independent Audit or Expert Readiness
Formal Verification: As an external, certified IRAP Assessor, we conduct the final, formal audit required for official accreditation against the ISM controls. Our report is the critical document for securing your Authority To Operate (ATO).
GET Free Consulting READY TODAY
Our Two-Tiered IRAP Service (No Conflict of Interest)
We provide two distinct services. Due to strict independence requirements and to avoid any conflict of interest, we cannot provide both the Readiness Service and the Final Audit to the same organisation. You may choose whichever service best fits your current compliance needs.
IRAP Readiness Service (Internal Pre-Audit)
Pre-Audit Confidence: We act as your internal assessors, identifying gaps, performing remediation, and developing all mandatory documentation before you engage an external IRAP Auditor.
Independent IRAP Audit (External Auditor)
Formal Verification: As an external, certified IRAP Assessor, we conduct the final, formal audit required for official accreditation against the ISM controls. Our report is the critical document for securing your Authority To Operate (ATO).
IRAP Readiness Service: Preparation is Key
What is it?
This is a comprehensive, internal pre-assessment service where our expert consultants evaluate your system, policies, and evidence against the ISM controls before the external IRAP Auditor is engaged. We act as your internal audit team, focusing on remediation.
Why is it Critical?
Mitigate Failure Risk
Significantly reduces the chance of receiving an adverse finding from the official external audit, which can be costly and delay government authorization.
Cost & Time Savings
Fixing gaps in the pre-audit phase is far faster and cheaper than dealing with formal audit findings and re-audits.
Documentation Development
Ensures you have the mandatory, high-stakes documents (SSP, SoA) completed correctly and in advance.
How We Help
Our Readiness Service is designed to save you time and cost by ensuring your system and documentation are perfected before the high-stakes final audit.
Key Readiness Activities (Internal Assessment)
Gap Analysis & Scoping
Define the system boundary and conduct a deep-dive assessment against the necessary ISM controls (e.g., OFFICIAL: Sensitive, PROTECTED).
Key Readiness Activities (Internal Assessment)
Policy & Documentation Development
Development or refinement of all mandatory documentation required by the external IRAP Auditor and ISM:System Security Plan (SSP)Statement of Applicability (SoA)Security Policies and ProceduresKey Readiness Activities (Internal Assessment)
Remediation & Evidence
Guidance on fixing identified vulnerabilities and structuring the definitive evidence package that proves control effectiveness.
Independent IRAP Audit: The Formal Assessment
What is it?
This is the formal, third-party assessment required by the Australian Government for system authorisation. As certified IRAP Assessors, we independently verify that your system's design and implementation meet the required ISM security controls.
Why is it Critical?
Authority to Operate (ATO)
A final, positive IRAP Audit Report is the fundamental document required for a government agency to grant your system an ATO, enabling you to handle classified or sensitive data.
Objectivity & Assurance
Our independence provides the objective assurance required by authorising officers that the system's residual risk is acceptable.
Regulatory Proof
The audit report serves as the official, defensible proof of compliance with the ISM.
How We Help
As certified external IRAP Assessors, our audit process delivers the authoritative report necessary to achieve your Authority to Operate (ATO).
Key Audit Activities (External Verification)
Controls Testing
Rigorous, independent testing of all selected ISM controls, including technical testing of system configurations and procedural verification.Key Audit Activities (External Verification)
Documentation Validation
Formal review of your SSP, SoA, and evidence package for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with the controls.Key Audit Activities (External Verification)
Residual Risk Assessment
Final assessment of any unmitigated risks, documented for review by the authorizing officer.
Audit Deliverable
The Final IRAP Report
The official, independent assessment report required for submission to the government department or agency for system authorization.
Choose your path
Whether you need expert preparation (Readiness) or the final certified (Audit), we deliver the IRAP assurance you need to succeed.
FAQs
IRAP is the acronym for the Information Security Registered Assessors Program.
The IRAP is an initiative of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which is part of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
Purpose: Its primary goal is to provide a comprehensive, independent assessment of a system's security controls to determine if they meet the standards required for handling sensitive Australian Government information.
The Frameworks Used: The assessment is conducted against the mandatory security controls and guidelines outlined in the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) and, for government entities, the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
The Assessors: Only ASD-endorsed IRAP Assessors—highly qualified cybersecurity professionals—are authorized to perform these assessments. They maintain an in-depth understanding of the ISM.
The Outcome (Not a Certification): An IRAP Assessment does not result in a formal "certification" or "Authority to Operate" (ATO). Instead, it produces an IRAP Assessment Report that: Outlines the scope of the assessment.
Identifies the security strengths and weaknesses (compliance gaps).
Details the security risks associated with the system's operation.
Provides recommendations for remediation.
The report is then used by the relevant government agency's Authorizing Officer to make an informed, risk-based decision about whether to approve the system for use (i.e., grant the Authority to Operate).
Purpose: Its primary goal is to provide a comprehensive, independent assessment of a system's security controls to determine if they meet the standards required for handling sensitive Australian Government information.
The Frameworks Used: The assessment is conducted against the mandatory security controls and guidelines outlined in the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) and, for government entities, the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
The Assessors: Only ASD-endorsed IRAP Assessors—highly qualified cybersecurity professionals—are authorized to perform these assessments. They maintain an in-depth understanding of the ISM.
The Outcome (Not a Certification): An IRAP Assessment does not result in a formal "certification" or "Authority to Operate" (ATO). Instead, it produces an IRAP Assessment Report that: Outlines the scope of the assessment.
Identifies the security strengths and weaknesses (compliance gaps).
Details the security risks associated with the system's operation.
Provides recommendations for remediation.
The report is then used by the relevant government agency's Authorizing Officer to make an informed, risk-based decision about whether to approve the system for use (i.e., grant the Authority to Operate).
It is mandatory for:
All government agencies using cloud services or Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to process, store, or communicate government information (classified up to and including PROTECTED).
Any Cloud Service Provider (CSP) or organisation seeking to win contracts with the Australian Government to host or manage their sensitive data.
All government agencies using cloud services or Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to process, store, or communicate government information (classified up to and including PROTECTED).
Any Cloud Service Provider (CSP) or organisation seeking to win contracts with the Australian Government to host or manage their sensitive data.
No. Due to strict conflict of interest rules imposed by the IRAP program, we can only provide one of the two services (Readiness or Audit) to the same organization for the same system. This ensures the integrity and independence of your final audit.
If you are new to ISM compliance or have not been audited in over two years, we strongly recommend starting with the IRAP Readiness Service to identify and fix critical issues before engaging any external auditor.
The duration varies significantly based on the complexity and size of the system, and the target data classification (e.g., OFFICIAL: Sensitive vs. PROTECTED). Readiness can take 3-12 months; the final audit usually takes 4-8 weeks, plus reporting time.
The ATO is the final, formal decision made by a government authorizing officer that your system is secure enough to store, process, or communicate government data. The IRAP Audit Report is the primary input for this decision.
Gain independent assurance that your entire security governance framework meets the demands of the Australian Government
Contact Us to Discuss Your IRAP Needs