# Network Audit Tool | Network Security Auditing Software - ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager

## Network audit software

Audit network configurations, ensure compliance, and mitigate firmware vulnerabilities using ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager

- Audit and manage configurations for 300+ vendors
- Visually audit compliance flows and firmware patches
- Generate audit-ready NCCM reports for your enterprise

![Network audit software](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/network-audit-software-hero-image.webp)

## Why automated network audits are critical for enterprise security and compliance

Enterprise networks change daily; firewall rules are modified, routing policies are adjusted, firmware is upgraded, and access controls are updated. When these changes are not continuously monitored against approved standards, configuration drift spreads across environments, security policies diverge between sites, and compliance gaps remain undetected until an outage or audit exposes them. Automated network audits establish continuous validation of device configurations, enforce defined baselines, and surface unauthorized or risky changes immediately; enabling teams to prevent instability instead of diagnosing it after impact.

## How to audit your network with advanced capabilities in Network Configuration Manager?

### Asset discovery and inventory

- **Centralize real-time device inventory**  
  Auto-discover devices and view complete audit data like IP, firmware, compliance, configuration, and backup status in a single unified platform.

- **Expose risks and unmanaged changes early**  
  Identify new, unmanaged, or misconfigured devices, along with configuration conflicts and backup failures before they impact operations.

- **Maintain audit-ready infrastructure visibility**  
  Keep accurate, up-to-date device metadata for audits, lifecycle tracking, and complete infrastructure awareness without fragmented visibility.

[Learn more about inventory](https://www.manageengine.com/network-configuration-manager/network-device-discovery.html?network-security-audit)

![Asset discovery and inventory](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/asset-discovery-and-inventory.webp)

### Compliance auditing with Compliance IQ

- **Continuously validate configuration compliance**  
  Run real-time checks against defined standards to identify compliant and non-compliant devices across the network.

- **Gain deep visibility into violations**  
  Drill down into policy violations with severity levels, access exact rule failure details, and visualise how configurations deviate from approved baselines.

- **Remediate deviations and enforce standards**  
  Apply programmable configlets to fix violations and ensure configuration standards are consistently enforced across all devices.

[Learn to audit compliance](https://www.manageengine.com/network-configuration-manager/compliance-iq.html?network-security-audit)

![Compliance auditing with Compliance IQ](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/compliance-auditing.webp)

### Firmware vulnerability auditing

- **Centralize firmware visibility across the network**  
  Maintain a unified firmware inventory for all managed devices with complete version tracking.

- **Identify vulnerabilities and assess risk**  
  Map firmware versions to CVE IDs, base scores, and severity levels to quickly detect and prioritise vulnerable devices.

- **Track lifecycle and drive remediation**  
  Use firmware tree views, detailed reports, and upgrade paths to manage firmware lifecycle and enable risk-based remediation across the network.

[Learn to audit firmware](https://www.manageengine.com/network-configuration-manager/firmware-vulnerability.html?network-security-audit)

![Firmware vulnerability auditing](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/firmware-vulnerability-auditing.webp)

### Reporting and analytics

- **Generate comprehensive audit reports**  
  Access 26+ built-in reports covering compliance, violations, vulnerabilities, configuration changes, and device status.

- **Track changes, accountability, and risk trends**  
  Monitor configuration changes with user attribution and timestamps, and analyse vulnerability exposure trends over time.

- **Deliver audit-ready evidence**  
  Export detailed reports for internal reviews and external assessments, providing clear proof of control, accountability, and risk posture.

[Discover NCM reports](https://www.manageengine.com/network-configuration-manager/network-reports.html?network-audit-tool)

![Reporting and analytics](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/reporting-and-analytics.webp)

## Why ManageEngine’s Network Configuration Manager is an ideal network audit software?

### Comprehensive multi-vendor support

Network audits must cover every device across the infrastructure. Network Configuration Manager supports routers, switches, firewalls, and other devices from leading vendors within a single platform. This ensures consistent configuration tracking, compliance validation, and audit visibility across heterogeneous environments without relying on multiple tools.

![Comprehensive multi-vendor support](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/multi-vendor-support.webp)

### Automated configuration backups for audit traceability

Reliable audits require accurate configuration records. Network Configuration Manager automatically backs up running and startup configurations and maintains complete version history. This provides verifiable historical baselines, simplifies evidence collection, and ensures recovery readiness during audits.

![Automated configuration backups for audit traceability](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/automated-configuration-backups.webp)

### Real-time change monitoring and alerts

Untracked configuration changes often lead to audit findings. Network Configuration Manager records every change with user attribution and timestamps while generating alerts for unauthorized or high-risk modifications. This creates a clear audit trail and reduces configuration drift.

![Real-time change monitoring and alerts](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/real-time-change-monitoring.webp)

### Enhanced access control with role-based access control (RBAC)

Access governance is a core audit requirement. RBAC enforces least-privilege access to device configurations and maintains detailed activity logs. This helps organizations demonstrate proper control over who can view or modify configurations.

![Enhanced access control with role-based access control (RBAC)](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/network-configuration-manager/images/role-based-access-control.webp)

## Simplify multi-vendor network audits

Auditing a network that includes devices from multiple vendors can quickly become complex. Network Configuration Manager enables centralised auditing across heterogeneous environments, helping teams maintain visibility and control without juggling multiple tools. Conduct consistent audits across devices such as:

### Switch

- IBM
- Avaya
- Cisco
- DLink
- Dell
- Gigamon
- Motorla
- and more

### Router

- Hitachi
- Brocade
- Huawei
- Microtik
- Dax
- Digi
- and more

### Firewall

- CheckPoint
- Citrix
- F5
- Fortinet
- PaloAlto
- Yamaha
- and more

[Explore the full list of supported devices](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/help/supported-storage-devices.html?network-audit)

## Benefits of using Network Configuration Manager as your network audit tool

### Reduce audit preparation time

Network Configuration Manager centralises configuration history, compliance status, vulnerability exposure, and change records in one platform. Instead of collecting data from multiple sources before an audit, administrators can generate ready-to-share reports instantly. This significantly reduces preparation effort and shortens audit cycles.

### Strengthen compliance posture

Continuous configuration validation and policy enforcement ensure that compliance gaps are identified early rather than during formal audits. By maintaining defined baselines and tracking deviations in real time, organizations move from reactive remediation to sustained compliance readiness.

### Improve operational accountability

Every configuration change is recorded with user attribution and timestamps, creating a clear chain of responsibility. This transparency improves governance, simplifies internal reviews, and reduces disputes during audit investigations.

### Minimize risk and downtime

By detecting configuration drift, unauthorized changes, and firmware vulnerabilities early, Network Configuration Manager helps prevent outages and security incidents before they escalate. Proactive audit visibility directly translates into greater network stability.

## FAQs on network audit software

### What are network audits?

Network audits are structured evaluations of device configurations, access controls, firmware versions, and compliance posture across the network. They help organizations identify configuration drift, policy violations, unauthorized changes, and exposure risks while maintaining documented control over network infrastructure.

### How does ManageEngine’s Network Configuration Manager support regulatory compliance auditing?

Network Configuration Manager validates device configurations against predefined standards and custom compliance policies.

- Automated compliance checks identify violations in real time.
- Severity classification prioritises remediation.
- Scheduled compliance scans maintain continuous adherence.
- Detailed reports provide evidence for regulatory reviews.

This ensures ongoing alignment with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.