Inside the ISO 27001 Certification Process: What the Auditor Looks For
Getting ISO 27001 certified is a big milestone. It signals to clients, partners, and stakeholders that you take information security seriously. But many teams aren’t sure what actually happens during the audit—and what the auditor is really looking for.
This post breaks it down. Whether you’re getting ready for your first certification or just starting the conversation, here’s what to expect when an ISO 27001 auditor walks through your door.
What Is ISO 27001 Certification?
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management. It focuses on how your organization identifies, manages, and mitigates risks to sensitive information.
The end goal is to build a functioning Information Security Management System (ISMS)—a structured framework that covers policies, processes, roles, and controls.
To get certified, you’ll need to go through a two-stage external audit conducted by an accredited certification body.
The 2 Stages of the ISO 27001 Audit
Stage 1: Documentation Review
The auditor first checks whether your ISMS has been properly set up on paper. They’re not verifying implementation yet—just looking at whether your policies and procedures are aligned with ISO requirements.
Expect them to review:
Your ISMS scope and boundaries
Risk assessment and treatment methodology
Statement of Applicability (SoA)
Security policies and roles
Internal audit plan and management review process
List of controls selected (Annex A)
They’ll also assess if you’re ready for the next phase. If your documentation is incomplete, they’ll ask for fixes before moving to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Implementation Review
This is where things get real. The auditor checks whether your ISMS is actually working—by interviewing staff, sampling evidence, and reviewing how policies are being followed.
They’ll look for:
Actual risk assessments and treatment plans
Access control records
Change management logs
Incident response documentation
Training and awareness sessions
Internal audit results
Management reviews and follow-ups
Business continuity testing (if in scope)
If there’s a gap between what’s documented and what’s practiced, it may result in a finding.
What the Auditor Cares About Most
Auditors aren’t just looking for perfectly formatted policies. They’re trying to confirm that your team:
Understands the ISMS and their role in it
Follows processes consistently
Reviews risks regularly and adapts when needed
Can respond to incidents in a controlled way
Learns from audits, reviews, and near misses
They’re also looking at evidence over time. A single training slide isn’t enough—you need to show that your program is being used, maintained, and improved.
What Counts as a “Finding”?
There are three types of audit findings:
Major Nonconformity: A serious issue that must be fixed before certification
Minor Nonconformity: A smaller issue that requires follow-up but doesn’t block certification
Observation: Not a formal issue, but something to monitor or improve
You’ll get a chance to respond to each finding and submit corrective actions. Many companies pass the audit with a few minors or observations—it’s normal.
What Happens After Certification?
Once certified, your ISO 27001 certificate is valid for three years, but there are annual surveillance audits to ensure continued compliance.
You’ll need to:
Keep records updated
Run internal audits annually
Conduct at least one management review per year
Continuously improve the ISMS based on findings and feedback
Final Thought
ISO 27001 isn’t just about passing an audit. It’s about building a system that protects your business, builds trust with customers, and improves how you manage risk.
If you’re preparing for certification, start early. Understand what the auditor will expect, involve your team, and treat it as more than a checklist.
How SAMN Consulting Can Help
We’ve helped companies across industries get certified quickly and with less stress. Our ISO 27001 services include:
ISMS design and documentation
Readiness assessments
Internal audit support
Stage 1 and Stage 2 preparation
Post-audit improvement guidance
📩 Contact us to schedule a consultation or request a tailored certification roadmap.
