ISO 27001 is an international standard that sets out the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). So to become an ISO 27001 external auditor, there are several steps to follow in order to be recognized by a certification body.

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Training and experience

First of all, you must have basic training in information security. A degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field. But in addition to basic training, specific training in ISO 27001 is also highly recommended.

There are also a number of certifications that can help you demonstrate your ability to become an ISO 27001 auditor. Among the most common are :

  • ISO 27001 Lead Auditor certification issued by bodies such as PECB (Professional Evaluation and Certification Board), IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors), or BSI (British Standards Institution). This certification requires participation in a Lead Auditor training course and passing an examination.
  • The **CISA **(Certified Information Systems Auditor) certification issued by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) is also highly respected in the field of information systems auditing.

It is generally necessary to have solid ***work experience ***in the field of information security. This provides a practical understanding of information security issues and ISMS.

Eventually, you’ll need to gain auditing experience to become truly proficient. This may involve working as an internal auditor within an organization, or taking part in audits as a member of an audit team under the supervision of an experienced auditor.

Human competence

External auditing is a field that requires not only in-depth knowledge of the standard, but also a set of interpersonal skills to interact effectively with the people being audited.

These qualities include patience, listening skills, teamwork, understanding of business logic and, above all, modesty.

An auditor often has to sift through many details and processes to verify an organization’s compliance. He or she may sometimes encounter obstacles, such as missing documents or processes misunderstood by customers. Patience is therefore a virtue needed to navigate these situations without becoming frustrated.

Listening is another essential skill for an auditor. During the audit, the auditor must not only gather information, but also understand the point of view of the organization’s employees and management. Careful listening enables the auditor to grasp nuances, identify potential problems and make accurate recommendations.

The auditor must also be able to collaborate, communicate effectively and manage conflict constructively. Teamwork enables knowledge to be shared, work to be divided and other team members to be supported in achieving audit objectives.

On the other hand, an auditor needs to understand the business logic of the organization he’s auditing. This means understanding how the organization operates, what its market environment is, what its strategies and objectives are, and how its internal processes contribute to these objectives. This understanding enables the auditor to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, and to make recommendations that support the organization’s business objectives.

And finally,** modesty and humility **are another fundamental quality for an external auditor. During an audit, it is essential to remember that the objective is to evaluate internal controls, not to judge individuals or the organization itself. This requires an auditor capable of remaining humble, respectful and open-minded, without presuming to hold the absolute truth. It is crucial to understand that every organization is unique, operating in its own context and sector. Thus, an auditor must adapt to each specific situation, assessing the controls in place through the prism of the organization’s particular context, while remaining objective and neutral. It is by demonstrating modesty and humility that an auditor can truly contribute to the continuous improvement of an organization’s management systems.

Technical skills, while indispensable, are almost as essential as interpersonal skills to being a good auditor!

Being an auditor requires a delicate balance between these two facets. The complexity and demands of this profession make this balance not only desirable, but absolutely necessary for success.

Internal or external auditor?

An internal auditor and an external auditor both play an important role in maintaining and improving an organization’s compliance. However, their roles, responsibilities and relationships with the organization are different.

Internal auditors work for the company, reporting to management, but must be as independent as possible, not involved in the day-to-day operations of the processes they assess.

External auditors, on the other hand, are accountable to the certification body requesting the audit, and must be independent of the organization they are auditing. They must have no conflict of interest that could compromise their impartiality.

Internal auditors focus on improving the organization’s internal processes, while external auditors verify the organization’s compliance with external standards or regulations.

Be recognized by a certification body

Certification bodies have specific requirements which they validate according to their own criteria and methods.

In some situations, they may ask you to take an exam to certify your understanding and competence.

In other cases, they may require you to participate as an observer in some audits, and then as a member of a team of auditors for several others.

Once you have demonstrated your competence and ability, you may then have the opportunity to take on the role of lead auditor.

So to become an ISO 27001 auditor

  • Do you have a background in IT, IT governance or similar?
  • Do you have experience in information systems management?
  • Do you have ISACA CISA certification?
  • Do you have auditing experience?
  • Are you patient and able to read large amounts of information?
  • Loving people and learning?
  • Are you modest?

So go ahead, get yourself accepted by a certification body!

Continue reading Here: [How to trust an audit report]

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