Internal Audits (1st Party Audits)

Why are 1st party audits essential?

ISO 27001 stipulates that organisations must carry out internal audits at regular intervals. These audits serve to check and verify the conformity of the information security management system (ISMS) with the requirements of the standard. In addition, care must be taken when selecting auditors to ensure the objectivity and impartiality of the audit process.

In 2nd party audits, this requirement often leads to a discussion about whether internal auditors can fulfil this requirement.

An internal audit should not only check compliance with the requirements set out in the standard, but also demonstrate their effectiveness. It is a key instrument for uncovering weaknesses, identifying potential for improvement and ultimately increasing the security and efficiency of the ISMS. It is therefore crucial that the auditors carrying out the audit are both technically competent and independent of the processes to be audited in order to ensure an objective assessment.

Procedure of a 1st party audit

The procedure for a 1st party audit is as follows: The internal audit is the responsibility of the organisation itself. It begins with the planning and implementation of an audit programme that defines the basic principles for internal audits. This includes determining the frequency of audits, the methods and procedures to be used, the allocation of responsibilities and the specifications for the preparation of audit reports.

The areas and processes to be audited are identified and defined as part of this programme. The auditors carry out the audits according to the planned schedules and methods. During the audit, the relevant information is collected, analysed and evaluated to determine whether the ISMS meets the requirements of ISO 27001 and is functioning effectively.

Two women ina an office are talking at an audit meeting, both working on laptops.

Once the audit has been completed, an audit report is drawn up documenting the results and findings. This report also contains recommendations for improvements or corrective measures, if necessary. The organisation must then review the results of the audit and initiate measures to rectify any deficiencies identified.

The internal audit is an essential part of the continuous improvement process and helps the organisation to maintain and improve the effectiveness of its ISMS. It also provides an opportunity to critically scrutinise the organisation's own security practices and ensure that they are able to cope with constantly changing threats and requirements.

Why abat is your ideal partner for 1st party audits

At abat, you have consultants at your side who not only have a proven track record as ISO 27001 auditors at DEKRA Certification GmbH, but also many years of experience and regular further training in the field of information security.

Our expertise guarantees that we always align our audits with the latest standards and thus ensure that our services are of high quality and up-to-date. Commissioning an external auditor from abat means that you can rely on an objective and impartial audit of your ISMS.

We understand the importance of trust and integrity in the sensitive world of information security and are committed to ensuring that our audits live up to these values. Choose abat to ensure that your ISMS not only meets the requirements of ISO 27001, but also contributes effectively and efficiently to the protection of your organisation's data.

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Saskia

ISMS Consultant
Bremen

For me, abat is: fun, exciting projects - great customers and colleagues packed into a respectful and trusting atmosphere with plenty of room for continuous development!