Description #

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach for organizations to establish, implement, monitor, maintain, and improve their information security processes.

Before undergoing an external audit for ISO 27001 certification, organizations often conduct an assessment to ensure they are adequately prepared. This assessment helps identify any gaps or weaknesses in their information security practices and allows them to take corrective actions before the formal audit.

IT Partner Responsibilities #

1. Conduct an initial discovery meeting to understand the organization's ISMS setup and audit expectations.
2. Perform a thorough review of the organization's ISMS to validate the effectiveness of the established controls and processes.
3. Identify any gaps in the ISMS against ISO 27001 standards.
4. Document findings and provide a detailed report with actionable recommendations for improvement.
5. Conduct a final meeting to discuss the report, explain findings, and provide guidance on implementing recommendations.

Client Responsibilities #

1. Provide all necessary access to the ISMS, related documentation, and personnel for the assessment.
2. Review the findings and recommendations from IT partner.
3. Implement recommended actions to close identified gaps and enhance the ISMS.
4. Organize for the external audit based on the assessment report.

Prerequisites #

1. An existing ISMS that can be reviewed and audited.
2. Availability of the organization's team members for discussions and meetings.
3. Necessary permissions and accesses for IT partner to conduct the review.

Plan #

1. Initial meeting: Scope the project and understand the organization's ISMS setup (Day 1).
2. Assessment: Conduct an in-depth review of the ISMS and documentation (Day 2-5).
3. Reporting: Document findings, gaps, and recommendations (Day 6-7).
4. Final meeting: Discuss the report, explain findings, and guide on next steps (Day 8).

Success Criteria #

1. The organization's ISMS is fully assessed against ISO 27001 standards.
2. Gaps and areas of non-compliance are identified and addressed.
3. A detailed report with improvement recommendations is provided.
4. The organization is well-prepared to undertake the external ISO 27001 audit with confidence.