An IS auditor discovers that employees are not aware of the information security policy. What could be the consequence of this lack of awareness?

The lack of awareness of the information security policy among employees can lead to unintentional disclosure of sensitive information. When employees are not informed about security protocols or the importance of safeguarding sensitive data, they may inadvertently act in ways that compromise security. For instance, they might share confidential information with unauthorized individuals, fail to recognize phishing attempts, or neglect to follow secure handling procedures for sensitive documents. Unintended disclosures can significantly impact the organization’s security posture, leading to data breaches or compliance violations.

This highlights the necessity of training and communication regarding security policies to ensure all employees recognize their responsibilities in protecting information assets. While it's possible that the audit findings may prompt management to enhance training or communication efforts, the immediate and direct consequence of employees’ ignorance is the heightened risk of accidental disclosures of sensitive information.