What is an ISO 27001 internal audit?

If you want to get ISO 27001 certified, you will eventually need to be audited by an external party. After a long and tiring process, you want to make sure that you nail the audit when it arrives.

That’s why many organizations first perform an ISO 27001 internal audit. This audit is required under the ISO 27001 standard and can be seen as a final rehearsal before the official audit takes place. The internal audit can either be done by a person within your organization or a third party such as a consulting firm, who will need to examine your ISMS (Information Security Management System).

In short, an internal audit is a self-check process where an organization reviews its own activities to ensure everything is running as it should be. Think of it like a routine health check-up but for your company’s information security practices.

What should you look for in an ISO 27001 internal auditor?

First, you should decide whether you want your auditor to be in-house or not. Most often, organizations hire a consultant to perform this audit for them. That’s because it can be expensive to get this expertise in-house.

An auditor should be:

• Objective and impartial: ensure that there is no conflict of interest.
• Qualified and competent: ensure that the auditor is competent regarding auditing procedures and deeply understands the ISO 27001 standard.
• Communicative: Clear communication between the auditor and staff is key. Everyone should understand the purpose and importance of the audit.
• Documentation: Ensure the auditor keeps detailed records of what was checked and any findings. This helps track progress and make improvements.

What does the ISO 27001 internal audit process look like?

Overall, the process will look as follows:

1. Planning: Decide what will be audited and when. This involves creating an audit plan, which is like a roadmap for the audit.
2. Preparation: Gather necessary documents and information. This could be policies, procedures, and records that relate to information security.
3. Conducting the Audit: The auditor (an internal team member or a hired expert) reviews the documents and processes, interviews staff, and checks if the organization’s practices match the ISO 27001 requirements.
4. Reporting: The auditor writes a report detailing what was found during the audit, highlighting any non-conformities (areas not meeting the standard) and suggesting improvements.
5. Follow-up: The organization addresses any issues found and takes corrective actions. Another review might be done to ensure these actions were effective.

Conclusion

An ISO 27001 internal audit might sound complex, but it’s essentially a thorough check to make sure an organization’s data security practices are up to standard. It’s a crucial step to ensure continuous improvement and have a better shot at being certified.