ISO 27001 Internal Auditor study guide
ISO 27001 Internal Auditor · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ISO/IEC 27001 Internal Auditor credential is aimed at professionals who audit an information security management system (ISMS) from the inside: internal auditors, ISMS coordinators, risk and compliance staff, and consultants who support first- and second-party audits against ISO/IEC 27001. The exam is delivered in multiple-choice format and tests seven areas: fundamental information security concepts and principles; the ISMS itself; fundamental audit concepts and principles; an audit approach based on ISO/IEC 27001; preparation of an audit; conducting an audit; and audit reporting and closure. The ISO 27001 Internal Auditor study guide has 7 sections and about 2,325 words.
01Fundamental concepts and principles of information security
This domain tests whether you can use ISO/IEC 27000 vocabulary with precision. Information security preserves confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA).
307 words, about 2 min02Information security management system (ISMS)
An ISMS is a management system, not a policy folder. ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requires the organisation to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve it through Clauses 4-10: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement.
349 words, about 2 min03Fundamental audit concepts and principles
ISO 19011:2018 sets seven principles: integrity, fair presentation, due professional care, confidentiality, independence, an evidence-based approach and a risk-based approach. An audit is a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining objective evidence and evaluating it against audit criteria.
332 words, about 2 min04Audit approach based on ISO/IEC 27001
An ISO/IEC 27001 audit tests the ISMS's conformity and effectiveness using a process-based, risk-based approach. Start from the audit programme and plan; evaluate Clauses 4-10 and the controls selected in the SoA.
336 words, about 2 min05Preparation of an audit
Preparation turns the audit programme into a specific audit plan. The programme coordinates audits over time; the plan defines one audit's objectives, scope, criteria, dates, locations, team, resources and expected outputs.
342 words, about 2 min06Conducting an audit
Conducting an audit is controlled evidence collection. Use the opening meeting to confirm scope, criteria, schedule and confidentiality.
334 words, about 2 min07Audit reporting and closure
The audit report is a factual record for the audit client and interested parties. ISO 19011 expects objectives, scope, criteria, dates, locations, team, findings, conclusions and any agreed follow-up.
325 words, about 2 min