ISO 27001 Checklist for Internal Audits
The “ISO 27001 Internal Audit Checklist” makes it easier to meet the requirements of the standard. Otherwise, non-conformity will be detected during the certification audit. Because ISO 27001 requires the company to carry out regular internal audits. If the certification body’s auditors determine that the required internal audits have not been carried out, it can be considered a major nonconformity.
If the internal audits were not carried out and documented correctly, the effectiveness of the ISMS will be seriously questioned. At best, it will be documented as a minor nonconformity in the lead auditor’s report. It is still advisable to document the internal audit as completely as possible. This means that the standard has been met and can be further improved over the years to come.
This checklist will help you prepare, document and carry out the internal audit.
We have provided you with a short video on the topic of internal audits for the ISO 27001 standard:
How do you carry out an internal audit (according to ISO27001) using the checklist?
Before you start an internal audit, you must define the goals and the scope. This means you can carry out the internal audit in a much more focused manner. The ISO 27001 standard does not require the internal auditor to be an IT expert or auditor. It makes sense to have in-depth knowledge of the ISO 27001 standard. This is not a complex investigation such as that carried out by an auditing firm in accordance with IFRS. Nevertheless, a basic understanding of audit methods is helpful.
How can I acquire the expertise of an internal auditor?
ISO 27001 requires that people acquire the necessary specialist knowledge to be able to effectively carry out an internal audit. Courses for internal auditors can help here. The usual time required is 3 to 5 days, depending on the face-to-face course. These training courses cost between £2,000 and £5,000. Virtual courses save travel costs and are good for the environment. But if you don’t have much time during the day to take part in a live training course, you should opt for video-on-demand courses. Here you can acquire specialist knowledge flexibly because you are not dependent on a group. This makes ISO 27001 video courses a cheaper and more flexible alternative to classroom training.
Can you outsource internal audits?
According to the ISO 27001 standard, organizations are permitted to commission external persons or companies to carry out internal audits. Reality shows that certification bodies often outsource external audits to freelancers. The external employees are subject to strict requirements, so that the certification bodies need a year or more to appoint a new auditor. This permission to outsource internal audits is a great help for companies. This saves the considerable effort of training a person and releasing them for this task. In addition, external consultants can help carry out the internal audit to correct possible weaknesses in the ISMS or its implementation in everyday operations.