Three Effectual Tips on ISO 27001 Internal Audits

Summary

Review this article to explore three secrets behind a successful ISO 27001 internal auditing program.

ISO 27001 Standard stipulates an Information Security Management System or ISMS. This system contains a wide array of activities related to the management of information security risks. This system is known as an overarching management framework through which an organization can recognize, find out, and resolve its security threats, vulnerabilities, and business opportunities. The main endeavor of this system is to ensure that the security arrangements have been fine-tuned to keep pace with the modifications to the security threats. So far, we have discussed a brief overview of the ISO 27001 Standard. Now, we are going to discuss an essential part of the standard- internal auditing program.

Section A15.2 of ISO 27001 Standard has stated, “Managers within an organization should ensure that security policies are followed. Here emerges a question- how should an organization know whether the managers are enforcing the ISMS security policies or not? Finding an exact answer to this question will be facile by performing an ISO 27001 internal audit program.

In this article, we will discuss three effectual tips you should consider while planning for your next internal audit.

1. Ask your management to ensure that the information security is included in all managerial responsibilities

Comparatively, this is an effortless task. By adding responsibility to a job description, an organization can proffer the impetus for managers to ensure security policies, which are followed. The International Organization for Standardization or ISO has attached great importance to the managerial roles and engagement. Hence, before creating a plan for your next internal auditing program, you should determine how much your managers are acquainted with the ISO 27001 guidelines, roles, and responsibilities associated with this standard. Arranging a meeting with the management would be a discrete decision.

2. Determine whether you should employ your in-house resources or hire a professional auditing service

It is imperative for an organization to determine who is going to deal with the auditing program. No matter whether it is an internal auditing program for ISO 27001 Standard or a quality management audit program, you should make a firm decision about the resources. Two options are available before you. You may utilize your in-house resources to evaluate the ISMS. In such a case, you may ask one or two volunteers from different departments to join your internal auditing team. If you want to opt for in-house resources then you should provide them with proper training. Since auditing is not their profession, they might not have sound knowledge of auditing. Hence, they might need an effectual training program.

Apart from in-house resources, you may rely on professional auditing services. These days, many businesses are offering internal auditing services. Hiring such a dependable service will ensure a perfect internal auditing program and save time and money you would have to invest in providing training to your in-house employees.

3. Discuss your goals and requirements with your internal auditing team

If you want to use optimal benefits out of your internal auditing program, you need to make your goals and requirement clear to your auditing team. Nothing can work better than open discussion. At the outset of making the plan, you should arrange meetings with your auditing team responsible for performing ISO 27001 internal audit program and your senior management.

A Final Takeaway

To make your internal auditing program beneficial, you need to consider the tips discussed above. Always start planning in advance so that your employees can get ample time for preparation.