What is the purpose of a configuration audit?

The purpose of a configuration audit is to verify that device configurations match the documented baseline. This process ensures that all devices are set up and maintained according to the established specifications, security policies, and operational requirements. By doing so, organizations can identify discrepancies that may lead to security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or operational inefficiencies.

A configuration audit plays a critical role in maintaining system integrity and operational consistency. It serves as a check to ensure that any changes made to device configurations are intentional, documented, and aligned with the organization’s configuration management policies. This not only helps in troubleshooting issues when they arise but also in ensuring compliance with relevant regulations or standards that may require specific configurations.

While the other options touch on important aspects of IT management, they do not accurately reflect the primary goal of a configuration audit. For instance, verifying financial accuracy or employee performance is outside the scope of a configuration audit's focus on device setups and configurations. Similarly, while ensuring compliance with warranty agreements can be relevant in a broader maintenance context, it does not specifically pertain to the verification process that a configuration audit entails.