IT Audit
Talks and Workshops
Dr. Groves’ sessions are an educational journey that fuses audit principles with psychological science. A leading voice in the field, he has a distinguished record of conducting groundbreaking scientific studies on auditor thinking, complemented by his participation in over 700 events throughout his career. This wealth of experience provides attendees with exceptional insights into enhancing auditor cognitive capabilities and performance. An IIA All-Star Speaker and a keynote speaker at some of the largest audit conferences in the U.S., Toby has also presented at GAM and ISACA/IIA GRC conferences and addressed more than 300 chapter events, as well as internal corporate and government audit operations.
Ready to explore an event for your group? We invite you to submit a speaking inquiry today. You can jump to the most popular audit-specific talks here, or see other talks here
What attendees are saying...
What event organizers are saying...
How These Sessions Are Different
My sessions are dynamic, interactive journeys designed to challenge and expand the way auditors think and work. With a foundation in psychology (PhD) and a rich background working closely with IT auditors and being a former CPA, my expertise bridges forensic psychology, forensic accounting, AI and the cognitive sciences to deliver content that truly resonates with IT audit professionals.
Research-Backed, Results-Driven Presentations
At the core of my sessions is a pioneering scientific study on auditor thinking, an endeavor that has expanded into a dynamic repository of auditor thinking patterns. This ongoing research fuels my interactive presentations, making them not only captivating but also profoundly educational and impactful.
Beyond Technical Knowledge: A Focus on Cognitive Excellence
My philosophy centers on a simple yet profound truth: the value of an auditor’s technical knowledge is magnified by their ability to think critically and apply that knowledge effectively. My sessions are crafted to enhance this aspect, equipping auditors with the tools to become more efficient, insightful, and impactful in their roles.
Topics Tailored Especially for IT Auditors
From the psychology of critical thinking in auditing and tackling fraud to effective communication strategies, ethics, and leveraging data science, my presentations cover a wide range of topics crucial for today’s auditors. Each session is tailored to address the most pressing issues and trends in the auditing world, ensuring your team remains at the forefront of the industry.
Talks
The session titles below have been some of the most popular in the audit industry, having been chosen for keynotes and workshops at top conferences and by leading audit shops, government agencies and leading audit associations including the IIA All-Star Conference, GRC and GAM, Time Warner, The Federal Reserve, KPMG, Deloitte, the ACFE, IMA, PMI, ISACA and others too numerous to list. They can be merged to create custom events in lengths of 1 hour keynotes to full-day workshops.
IT Auditing/Critical Thinking
The Call is Coming From Inside The House
Advanced Strategies to Detect and Prevent Risks from Within
"The greatest danger to our future is not the outsider we fear, but the betrayal we fail to see within."
Insider threats—those originating from within your organization—pose a uniquely dangerous challenge, often hiding in plain sight until it’s too late. Whether caused by negligence, exploitation of control gaps, or malicious intent, these threats can inflict devastating financial and reputational damage.
This session draws inspiration from the chilling phrase “The call is coming from inside the house,” reminding us that the most critical threats can come from trusted sources. By blending cutting-edge behavioral psychology, advanced data analytics, and proactive organizational strategies, participants will learn to build and refine an insider threat program that recognizes evolving risks, leverages observables across key organizational areas, and fosters a culture of transparency without compromising trust.
Through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and cutting-edge research, this program introduces strategies for broadening cognitive flexibility and identifying risks that traditional methods might miss. Participants will leave with actionable tools to respect the structure of audits while thinking beyond its boundaries, driving deeper insights and strengthening organizational resilience.
Major Subjects:
- The Anatomy of an Insider Threat: Understanding the psychological and behavioral tactics used in breaches.
- Behavioral Observables: Identifying patterns and behaviors that signal potential threats, from changes in conduct to unusual access patterns.
- HR Observables: Leveraging HR insights to detect risks, including role changes, financial flags, and legal issues.
- IT Observables: Recognizing network anomalies, managing access rights, and setting up advanced logging for proactive detection.
- Cultural Considerations and Transparency: Balancing security needs with organizational trust to ensure program success.
- Case Studies and Real-World Examples: Analyzing lessons from past insider breaches and applying them to create a resilient framework.
- Building a Proactive Insider Threat Program: Developing a cross-functional strategy involving audit, HR, IT, and leadership to thwart risks before they materialize.
Auditing/Critical Thinking
AI Think, Therefore I Am
Merging Human Ingenuity with Artificial Intelligence
"Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all."
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, integrating human critical thinking with artificial intelligence is no longer optional—it’s essential. AI offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance audit efficiency, detect risks, and uncover insights, but these benefits are maximized only when paired with human ingenuity.
This session explores the intersection of cognitive science and AI, empowering IT auditors to harness AI as a partner in innovation. Participants will learn how to critically evaluate AI outputs, recognize biases and gaps, and craft thoughtful prompts to achieve meaningful results. By blending human intuition with AI’s analytical power, you’ll unlock new levels of precision and creativity in auditing, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and cutting-edge research, this program introduces strategies for broadening cognitive flexibility and identifying risks that traditional methods might miss. Participants will leave with actionable tools to respect the structure of audits while thinking beyond its boundaries, driving deeper insights and strengthening organizational resilience.
Major Subjects:
- The Symbiosis of AI and Human Thinking: Explore how AI complements human critical thinking to enhance decision-making and problem-solving.
- Evaluating AI Outputs: Learn strategies to critically assess AI’s recommendations, identifying gaps, biases, and overfitting in analyses.
- Crafting Effective AI Prompts: Master the art of constructing prompts that yield nuanced, actionable outputs tailored to audit needs.
- AI-Enhanced Risk Detection: Leverage AI to identify hidden patterns, anomalies, and emerging risks in complex datasets.
- Human Oversight in Automation: Understand the importance of cognitive flexibility to oversee and validate AI-driven processes.
- The Neuropsychology of Collaboration: Discover how the human brain processes and integrates AI inputs, driving better decisions.
Auditing/Critical Thinking
Advanced Threats: Mastering the Complex Dynamics of Modern Cybersecurity
"The most dangerous adversaries are those who understand both the technology and the human mind."
The modern cybersecurity landscape is a battlefield of advanced threats driven by AI, psychological manipulation, and technological precision. Attackers are exploiting vulnerabilities at the intersection of human behavior and cutting-edge tools, creating challenges that demand a new level of sophistication in response.
This immersive session empowers IT auditors and cybersecurity professionals to outthink and outmaneuver these multifaceted threats. By diving into real-world case studies and the latest research, participants will uncover innovative strategies for anomaly detection, insider threat mitigation, and fraud profiling. Learn how to build and govern threat programs, refine best practices, and harness critical insights to fortify your organization’s defenses. This isn’t just a session; it’s a masterclass in proactive cybersecurity thinking.
Major Subjects:
- The Evolution of Advanced Threats: Explore the integration of AI and psychology in modern attack strategies.
- Insider Threat Innovation: Uncover groundbreaking research on insider threats and how to detect subtle behavioral shifts.
- Fraud Profiling for Cybersecurity: Learn to apply fraud profiling techniques to uncover hidden patterns and risks.
- Anomaly Detection Essentials: Master tools and techniques for identifying irregularities in real-time.
- Strengthening Access Controls: Discover advanced methodologies to secure organizational gateways against breaches.
- Audit Trail Optimization: Create robust audit systems that track and deter malicious activities effectively.
- Proactive Defense Strategies: Implement forward-thinking controls and practices that outpace attacker innovation.
Auditing/Critical Thinking
Enhancing Audit Decisions with AI and EI
Blending Human Insight with Machine Precision to Transform Auditing
"In a world driven by logic and data, it's emotional intelligence that bridges the gap between knowledge and wisdom."
In the age of rapid technological advancement, the fusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) is revolutionizing how auditors approach decision-making. AI brings unparalleled capabilities in data processing, anomaly detection, and risk assessment, while EI enhances human intuition, empathy, and communication. Together, they create a powerful synergy that elevates audit quality, fosters deeper insights, and ensures ethical, well-rounded judgments.
This engaging session explores how AI and EI can work in harmony to transform auditing practices. Participants will learn how to leverage AI for routine tasks, risk profiling, and anomaly detection while enhancing their emotional intelligence to navigate complex scenarios and stakeholder dynamics. Through interactive discussions, practical case studies, and actionable strategies, this session equips auditors to make decisions that are both data-driven and human-centered.
Major Subjects:
- AI for Enhanced Audit Efficiency: Automate routine processes, streamline data analysis, and detect anomalies with precision.
- Risk Profiling with AI: Leverage predictive analytics to identify emerging threats and prioritize high-risk areas.
- Harnessing Emotional Intelligence: Build self-awareness and empathy to improve communication, collaboration, and decision-making.
- Cognitive Empathy in Auditing: Understand client and team dynamics to anticipate needs and mitigate conflicts effectively.
- AI-Driven Insight Generation: Use advanced tools to synthesize data into actionable recommendations while avoiding bias.
- Emotional Regulation for High-Stakes Audits: Manage stress and maintain focus in challenging or high-pressure situations.
Auditing/Critical Thinking
Thinking Outside the Audit: Innovative Approaches to Uncovering Hidden Risks
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
The highly structured world of auditing provides essential frameworks for accuracy and accountability, but it can also narrow our focus and lead to black-and-white thinking. This session challenges auditors to expand their perspective by understanding the neuropsychology behind creative problem-solving. By exploring how deeply ingrained structures influence our thinking, participants will learn to recognize and overcome mental blocks, enabling them to uncover counterintuitive solutions to complex problems.
Through engaging discussions, practical exercises, and cutting-edge research, this program introduces strategies for broadening cognitive flexibility and identifying risks that traditional methods might miss. Participants will leave with actionable tools to respect the structure of audits while thinking beyond its boundaries, driving deeper insights and strengthening organizational resilience.
Major Subjects:
- Breaking Out of Cognitive Traps: Explore how structured environments can limit perspectives and obscure unconventional solutions.
- Expanding the Auditor’s Mindset: Learn techniques to think creatively and approach problems from fresh angles.
- Neuropsychology of Problem-Solving: Discover how cognitive flexibility and counterintuitive thinking lead to innovative risk identification.
- Identifying Hidden Risks: Develop strategies to spot anomalies and patterns that traditional methods might overlook.
- Balancing Structure and Innovation: Respect the frameworks of auditing while fostering a mindset that looks beyond the checklist.
- Leveraging Technology and Collaboration: Explore how new tools and cross-functional teamwork can enhance risk detection.
Critical Thinking for IT Professionals
Untapped 2024: Next Level Thinking for IT Auditors
This highly acclaimed session, tailored specifically for IT auditors and led by Dr. Toby Groves, a researcher in the field, embarks on a captivating exploration of the science behind effective audit practices. The session serves as a practical and inspirational call to action, equipping auditors with powerful tools to enhance their thinking when it matters most. It introduces new thinking, daily habits, and advanced strategies that substantially improve judgment and decision-making. Participants will learn to cultivate the foundational cognitive abilities that support the key skills required for auditors, enabling them to perceive insights that remain unnoticed by others. The course teaches how to dismantle mental blocks and approach problem-solving from fresh perspectives. These same strategies naturally promote confidence, mental clarity, flexibility, and resilience which improves mental well-being and resistance to stress and burnout. Additionally, we will critically evaluate our audit approaches in light of emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, regulatory changes, sustainability, remote auditing, data analytics, fraud detection, and cybersecurity, equipping auditors with the foresight and adaptability required to excel in the evolving audit environment.
Also now available Untapped for Teams!
We have more data than ever, but what is it really telling us? New technologies and analytical methods detect myriad patterns in our data, but what do they really mean and what decisions can they help us make? Is the underlying data reliable? Is it valid for the purpose you are using it? Cognitive technologies distance us from the context of our data, shrouding the meaning behind the patterns and how to apply the information for effective decision-making. New thinking approaches are required to move beyond simple recognition of correlations to insight into why relationships exist. This session will teach methods that give us the ability to discern the inner character of problems, to recognize why interactions occur, and what decisions can be made with the information.
Seeing Patterns Others Don't
In a world brimming with complexity, the ability to discern how various elements interact and influence each other stands at the heart of innovative problem-solving and sound decision-making. This session promises to unveil the secrets of connectivity, offering a deep dive into the art of systems thinking and pattern recognition. You’ll explore cutting-edge techniques to uncover hidden and unconventional patterns, tackle contradictory evidence with finesse, and master the art of identifying and interpreting intricate connections. Prepare to transform your perspective and develop a keen eye for the patterns that elude others, opening doors to unparalleled insights and strategic advantages.
When the Facts Aren’t Enough: The Art of Communicating Complex Information
Mastering the art of translating complex information into influential insights is a skill that transcends mere data analysis—it’s about crafting narratives that resonate and motivate. Our session, ‘When the Facts Aren’t Enough,’ focuses on the nuanced art of making intricate data accessible and compelling, even to those unfamiliar with the subject matter. This expertise signifies not just an in-depth comprehension of the data but a profound insight into its real-world implications and how it’s perceived by diverse audiences. By adopting the perspectives of your listeners and embodying their experiences, this interactive workshop delves into the cognitive strategies and thinking paradigms essential for clear, impactful communication. Participants will emerge with enhanced abilities to convey their knowledge persuasively, ensuring their messages are not just heard but felt and acted upon
The New Psychology of Professional Skepticism
The course will go beyond traditional methodologies, delving into how cognitive biases and social dynamics subtly shape auditor judgments and decisions. Through interactive case studies and psychological insights, auditors will gain the tools to critically assess their own skepticism in practice, enhancing their ability to discern truth in complex scenarios. Additionally, we will introduce innovative strategies to foster a culture of thoughtful skepticism within teams, ensuring that auditors can navigate the intricacies of modern auditing with confidence and precision. This session promises to transform the way auditors apply skepticism, offering a richer, more nuanced perspective critical for the challenges of today’s auditing landscape.
Fraud
Finding Fraud is a rare look at fraud from the inside, including the perspectives of auditors that unwittingly helped perpetrators, and Investigators that found themselves on the wrong side of the law. We’ll examine the viewpoints of the victims, forensic psychologists, interrogation experts, perpetrators, fraud researchers, and law enforcement. The session confronts the most persistent challenges we have with fighting fraud today. It presents behind-the-scenes research from multiple perspectives that will challenge everything you thought you knew about fraud.
This story-based session from the speaker’s perspective is a paradigm shift in understanding the minds of both investigators and perpetrators. Through a compelling narrative-based approach, incorporating firsthand accounts and cutting-edge research, we’ll unravel why conventional investigative techniques may inadvertently hinder rather than help. This session will illuminate the hidden myths and pitfalls entrenched in our standard practices and assumptions about fraud. We will dissect the often-misunderstood concept of skepticism and reveal how investigators might, despite their best intentions, play into the hands of sophisticated fraud schemes.
Ethics
Ethics in The Real World
Codes of ethics, ethics training, and “tone at the top” are expected to improve ethical behavior. But do they? Research shows that not only can these traditional initiatives be unhelpful, but they can harm ethical reasoning! Instead of looking at how people are “supposed” to behave, this class examines how people actually make ethical decisions in the real world. We will explain how ethics codes can cause unethical behavior, why we misunderstand the influence of tone at the top, and why people betray their own ethical beliefs.
The Science of Ethics
This session delves into the fascinating neuroscience behind how our minds work when we face decisions with conflicting motivations or difficult dilemmas for which the best answer is not clear. Attendees will explore real-life dilemmas and learn effective cognitive processes to deal with those dilemmas as revealed by the latest research in neuroscience. The session draws on organizational psychology, cognitive science, psychobiology and even sports psychology to create an immersive experience and unveil the hidden ways our minds perceive and interpret problems.
Comunications
Advanced Communication Skills for IT Auditors
Master the nuances of advanced communication in the IT auditing sphere with this comprehensive course. Delve into the intricacies of both written and verbal communication across in-person and virtual platforms. Develop the skills to present complex audit-related information compellingly and employ storytelling techniques to motivate change. Gain expertise in sophisticated persuasion and negotiation strategies to influence outcomes effectively. Learn the fine art of navigating difficult discussions with tact and learn how to probe deeply with questions that unveil the true intent behind the responses. Acquire techniques to establish immediate trust and adapt your communication style to various cultural contexts. For IT auditors who aspire to elevate their influence and impact, this course is an essential step towards becoming a formidable communicator.
Unearthing vital information, demystifying assumptions, and revealing the intricacies of actions are the hallmarks of masterful audit interviews. These interactions provide a unique chance to navigate through narratives as they emerge and to pose impactful questions that extract critical insights. The art of the audit interview extends beyond mere conversation—it is a strategic tool for investigation, understanding, and essential information gathering. In this session, you’ll learn the subtleties of adopting an effective interpersonal style, formulating incisive questions that go beyond surface answers, interpreting non-verbal communication, and adjusting your approach to suit various cultural contexts. Participants will depart equipped with the most current behavioral research tools to conduct audit interviews that deliver results.
Leadership
The Science of Great Leadership
Leadership skills have never been more important, in all industries and at all levels, whether executive or front-line employees. Organizations succeed in meaningful ways when their individual members have the ability to inspire action, build trust, solve complex problems, coordinate effective teams, and resolve contentious conflicts without damaging important relationships. This requires a deep understanding of human motivation, emotional intelligence, and nuances of cultural psychology. This session teaches a powerful model that allows attendees to build their own core leadership skills as well as the psychology of performance and motivation and the social psychology of organizational behavior.
Culture
The Science of Organizational Culture and Decision-Making
Equity and diversity across neurodiversity, racial and ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and ages enrich social networks, fostering deep learning, flexible thinking, and long-term organizational health and wellness. Diverse teams, embracing a spectrum of perspectives, achieve higher satisfaction, superior decision-making, and elevated performance. Discover the science that enhances social networks and learn to embed social standards and norms promoting equity and inclusivity. Master strategies for building a culture that encourages personal responsibility in shaping group norms and attitudes essential for embracing a broad spectrum of diversity, driving collective success.