Performing an audit on a process is a popular way to check if the business lives up to certain standards. In order to maintain efficiency and effectiveness, as well as conformity to the criteria of the applicable ISO management system standard, audits are conducted. A series of audits will need to be performed to verify this. If you need ISO 27001 Certification, you will also need to get through the Audit process. Understand all about it through this article.
What is the ISO 27001 Audit?
The purpose of an ISO 27001 audit is to verify that your company’s information security management system (ISMS) conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2013, the latest revision of the standards for information security management systems. In order to get and maintain ISO 27001 certification, businesses must undergo a series of rigorous internal and external audits.
An organization’s ability to protect its data, documents, and other information assets from unauthorized access is validated by ISO 27001 certification. By demonstrating that their security procedures are more stringent and in line with international standards, firms who have earned the ISO 27001 certification gain a competitive edge.
The procedures and systems of an organization must be audited by an external, third-party auditor to ensure they are in compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2013.
The effectiveness and efficiency of an organization’s security procedures may be demonstrated through ongoing ISO 27001 audits. Plus, audits like this demonstrate and quantify continuous conformity to ISO standards. By performing audits on a regular basis, businesses may evaluate the remaining risk associated with their current information security measures.
The findings of an ISO 27001 information technology audit may be used to further strengthen an organization’s information security management system (ISMS) controls and standards, therefore reducing residual risk.
Understand more about ISO Certification, Audit and ISO 27001 Certification in detail at:
- ISO 27001 Certification Benefits on Software Development Industry
- Different types of ISO 27001 certification domains
- Difference between ISO 27001 Certification and 27002 Certification
Types of ISO 27001 Certification Audit
Internal Audit
As the name implies, internal audits are conducted using an organization’s own resources. These audits can be outsourced to a third party if the company doesn’t already employ auditors with the necessary skill set and objectivity. Since the supplier serves as a “inside resource,” these audits are typically referred to as “2nd party audits.”
External Audit
Generally speaking, “external audits” refer to inspections conducted by a third party in order to achieve or keep a certain certification. However, it may also be used to describe audits conducted by third parties (such as business partners or customers) that are interested in gaining their own confidence in an organization’s ISMS. This is especially the case if the criteria of the third party exceed those of the norm.
Importance of IT Security Audit for ISO 27001 Certification
- ISO 27001 certification is fundamentally dependent on passing a series of audits. A company cannot claim compliance with worldwide best practices for information security management unless it has undergone and passed these audits.
- It can be difficult for businesses to engage into or maintain relationships with clients or partners that stipulate ISO 27001 certification as a condition of doing business. This means that ISO 27001 audits might be crucial for businesses to get or keep clients.
- In order to keep their ISO 27001 certification in place, companies must undergo periodic audits to prove that they are still in line with the requirements set out by ISO 27001. As evidenced by the results of an audit, a company’s information assets are being reliably safeguarded by its established systems, procedures, and controls.
- As a firm grows, it faces additional risks, which may be evaluated during routine audits to help pinpoint where improvements can be made. Opportunities to improve data management and IT security are also uncovered during these assessments.
- There are several benefits of getting ISO 27001 Certification and its audit done. You can understand them at ISO 27001 Certification for Startups and How to tackle cyber threats using ISO 27001 certification for Startups?.
Important Key Points of IT Security Audit for ISO 27001 Certification
- Policy, procedure, standard, and guideline documents are evaluated and updated as part of the organization’s documentation review to guarantee their continued usefulness.
- The purpose of a Field Review, a type of auditing activity, is to collect representative samples of evidence of conformance with policies, processes, and standards, as well as consideration of advice.
- The auditor will evaluate and analyze the results of the documentation review and/or evidentiary sample to determine if the requirements of the standard are being met.
- As per Clause 9.2 f) of the standard, an audit report must be drafted and given to management for transparency.
- Management must conduct a review under Clause 9.3 Management review and take into account audit results to make sure that any necessary changes and corrective measures are taken.
Conclusion
Whether or not the organization decides to pursue compliance with ISO 27001 and, if so, certification, will rely on the existence of a formal, documented ISMS that is implemented and maintained. Typically, this will be laid out in a business case that details the planned outcomes and ROI. Without official ISO certification, a business may merely assert that it “complies” with the standard, without any independent verification. However, to gain the reputation and all the significant benefits of ISO 27001, it is important to get an IT Security Audit done.
How to tackle cyber threats using ISO 27001 certification for Startups?
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