Start Cybersecurity Certification Journey with Internal Audits

When running a business, many (potential) customers/clients require certifications before committing to long-term collaborations. Certification serves as a crucial validation of your processes, demonstrating that your company adheres to accepted global standards. Take ISO 27001 as an example. This certification is commonly accepted as a standard that your organization has put strong information security management procedures in place, protecting confidential information and guaranteeing compliance to global standards. However, the path to ISO 27001 requires a large investment of time, effort, and financial resources. It can’t be done just in a short time or in an easy way, like Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? Being well-prepared is crucial to ensuring that your investment doesn't go to waste. This involves gathering documentation, making sure that all requirements are met, and ensuring compliance. But even if you’ve ticked every box, are you truly ready for certification? Only a few organizations are aware that an internal audit is a must when it comes to ISO 27001. ISO 27001 standard specifically requires Internal Audit as a stage that needed to be complete before pursuing certification.When it's mandatory, what makes organizations still avoid internal audits? Many organizations fear that the results of an internal audit might not meet the expectations, leading to uncover issues that require significant corrections. Instead of viewing the internal audit as an opportunity for improvement, some treat it as a challenge to prove that everything is already perfect. Internal audits should never be something to fear, as their primary purpose is for improvement. In simple terms, an internal audit serves as a "test run" for the ISO 27001 certification itself. Internal audit can also be the first step you take to identify what needs to be prepared for certification. This offers organizations the opportunity to evaluate whether your organization is prepared for certification and to make any necessary adjustments. The audit promotes a culture of continual improvement rather than only compliance. It's crucial to keep in mind that an internal audit is not a chance to show that everything is already perfect. Finding areas which need improvement and getting recommendations on how to effectively implement and improve are two benefits of conducting an internal audit. Consider internal audit as a road map for improving operations of your organization rather than a difficult undertaking. Despite being referred to as an "internal audit," this procedure might be outsourced if a business does not have qualified personnel to do it. Our company, FEHA, also offers to conduct internal audits for various types of organizations. And we have successfully helped many organizations smoothly pass their ISO 27001 certification audits, as the quality of our internal audits is on par with the quality that certification bodies require. Feel free to contact us for more information on internal audit and how it can help you prepare for certification! We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure your business is fully prepared for a successful certification journey, not only that but also support your organization in improving its processes for long-term success. Let us help you get ready, every step of the way!