5 Key Steps to Achieve ISO 27001 Certification using an Audit Checklist

Getting an ISO 27001 certification is not easy to obtain but certainly provides a range of benefits to help prevent breaches of a business’s Information Security Management System (ISMS). The audit Checklist is providing the key steps needed to audit the business before preparing for the ISO 27001 certification process. In most cases, an audit refers to a financial review of a company conducted by a certified third party; however, in the case of ISO 27001, an auditor examines an organization's ISMS to determine whether it fulfills established requirements that conform with the ISO 27001 certification. It also looks at the organization’s policies to see how they operate and that all matters of business surrounding information security run effectively and smoothly.

An early audit can help an organization to understand the risks they are taking so far with their ISMS, any further potential threats to the business from cyber-attacks for instance, and how to manage any risks safely and constructively. Also, includes all the aspects of ISO 27001 – including any technical controls implemented in the ISMS, as well as physical and legal elements. Depending on the size of the organization, one or more audits may be required over a 6-12-month period to analyze the entire requirements and define all audit expectations before proceeding with the ISO 27001 certification process.

Achieving ISO 27001 Certification Using an Audit Checklist

Auditing before implementing the ISO 27001 certification renewal or first-time implementation is not only a requirement mandated by the International Organization for Standardization but also a best practice. It's a great approach to keep the employees up to date on corporate practices while also providing a slew of other advantages. The ISO 27001 audit checklist is extremely important in any audit. The five stages outlined here will ensure that the pre-ISO 27001 audits are completed correctly and, most importantly, are beneficial to the organization.

Create a Team Ready for the Audit: In the initial step of any audit, it is very important to have a strong and knowledgeable audit team.

Set Out the Plan for the ISMS: Once the organization has the team in place, with the correct leader to manage the expectations of that team, then it is important to sketch out the ISMS plan. This entails identifying what needs to be audited and why within the organization. After key stakeholders are identified, the team can begin producing the relevant documents for the risk assessment.

Carry Out a Risk Assessment: At this step focuses on communication. Establish the audit budget, how long it should take to conduct the audit, any potential hazards, and who will do what work. In addition, the organization may want to hire a cyber security team as a third party to point out any potential threats that you may have overlooked. Notifying the board of directors along the route will also be crucial. As previously said, communication within the organization during the audit will benefit everyone!

Documentation Review and Begin ISMS: Organizations can start implementing the management system after they have completed all of the necessary ISO 27001 Documentation work to have their ISMS up and running. Ensure that the organization not only records each objective that is met for the ISO 27001 auditor records but also continues to communicate with the management team to ensure that everyone in the organization, from employees to stakeholders and directors, is moving in the same direction. This also must be analyzed and reviewed at every step, and if any issues develop, they must be corrected and a new strategy implemented through the management review outlined in clause 9.3.

Check the Audit Report and Final Review: After several time has passed since the ISMS was implemented, it is vital to look back and assess where the system went wrong and right, and whether the objectives were completed efficiently and effectively. A final external audit report and review will assist in evaluating any flaws in the initial strategy, as well as determining whether the audit was worthwhile for the organization as a whole. Remember to conduct internal audits regularly basis to keep personnel informed of policy changes and to educate them and key stakeholders on how the organization is implementing new procedures by ISO 27001 standards.

As ISO Consultant profession since last many years Charles has rich experience in preparing such certification documents within ISO guideline to his global clients to acquire better ISO Certification Solution to their Organization.