Protiviti, a global business consulting and internal audit firm, has released a new version of its Governance Portal for Internal Audit, adding a synchronization management engine that allows auditors to work anytime, anywhere, even when they are disconnected from the network.

The Portal combines advanced features with the ease-of-use and cost efficiencies of an online portal and allows companies to integrate internal audit into their overall governance, risk and compliance program. Synchronization management allows auditors to access complete consistent, high-quality work more quickly, no matter their current location or network status.

Once an auditor reconnects to the network, synchronization with the central repository takes place automatically, informing the auditor of potential conflicts with any data changed during the offline period. The offline feature uses freely downloadable applications from Microsoft and Google that are then managed by the Governance Portal. This technical architecture removes the challenge associated with other offline solutions that can be incompatible, expensive or costly to administer.

The Governance Portal for Internal Audit enables organizations to automate the audit process from risk assessment through reporting; identify and assess risks through integrated surveys to simplify the feedback process; tie risks to key processes and organizations that feed the audit planning process; and easily integrate internal auditing into the GRC program.