ISO 27001 Certification
Audit by
lead auditors
CertPro performs ISO 27001 audits in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 19011 guidelines. Certification is issued by an IAF-accredited certification body upon successful completion of the audit. Independent, evidence-based audits conducted by credentialed auditors across every engagement.
The International Standard for Information Security Management
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is an internationally recognized standard that defines requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). ISO 27001 certification signals that an organization has built a structured, risk-driven approach to protecting information assets, verified through an independent audit against defined international requirements.
CertPro performs ISO 27001 audits in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 19011 guidelines. Certification is issued by an IAF-accredited certification body upon successful completion of the audit. Every engagement is conducted by qualified ISO Lead Auditors and CISA-certified professionals applying structured, evidence-based conformity assessment across all in-scope controls and clauses.
For technology organizations managing sensitive data across complex environments, an ISO 27001 certification is one of the most credible and widely accepted security frameworks globally, and the clearest proof that your information security posture has been independently assessed against a rigorous international standard.
Clause 4 to 6: Context, Leadership & Planning
Defines the ISMS scope, leadership commitment, and the risk assessment and treatment process used to establish and maintain the ISMS.
Clause 7: Support and Competence
Covers resource allocation, personnel competence, security awareness, and the documentation requirements that underpin a functioning ISMS. Ensures the system is sustained by qualified people and controlled records.
Clause 8: Operational Controls
Governs the implementation and management of information security processes across the defined scope, including risk treatment plans and operational procedures aligned with identified risks.
Clause 9: Performance Evaluation
Requires ongoing monitoring, measurement, internal audits, and management reviews to assess whether the ISMS is functioning as intended and meeting defined objectives.
Clause 10: Continual Improvement
Mandates a structured approach to addressing nonconformities and driving improvement. Organizations must demonstrate corrective action and evidence of ongoing ISMS maturity over time.
Two Mandatory Stages. One Certification.
An ISO 27001 audit for initial certification involves two mandatory stages. Stage 1 evaluates ISMS documentation and design readiness. Stage 2 assesses the effective implementation across all in-scope controls and clauses. Both stages are conducted by CertPro in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 19011. The certification decision is made by the IAF-accredited certification body following satisfactory completion of both stages.
ISMS Documentation and Design Review
The Stage 1 ISO 27001 audit evaluates whether the organization's ISMS controls and documentation meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2022. CertPro reviews the ISMS scope, risk assessment records, Statement of Applicability, and documented controls to determine whether the organization is ready to proceed to Stage 2.
Assessment of Control Implementation
The Stage 2 ISO 27001 audit is a detailed assessment of whether the ISMS is implemented and operating effectively across the defined scope. CertPro collects audit evidence through interviews with relevant personnel, observation of processes and operational activities, and review of documents and records — including system logs, audit trails, monitoring records, and operational procedures — using sampling where appropriate to assess consistent implementation across the defined scope.
Four Phases. Structured Process. ISO 19011-Aligned.
Every CertPro ISO 27001 audit engagement follows a structured four-phase process governed by ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements and ISO 19011 audit guidelines at every stage.
Kick-off and Audit Scoping
A 30-minute kick-off call confirms the audit scope, ISMS boundaries, applicable ISO 27001 clauses, and engagement timeline. The in-scope systems, locations, and organizational units are defined in writing. A single client-side point of contact is identified to ensure streamlined communication throughout the ISO 27001 audit engagement.
Evidence Access and Stage 1 Audit
The client provides access to the evidence repository, including ISMS documentation, the Statement of Applicability, risk assessment records, and control evidence. CertPro conducts the Stage 1 audit, reviewing documentation against ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements. A structured gap list is compiled and delivered, identifying areas requiring clarification or additional evidence before Stage 2 begins.
Gap Clarification and Stage 2 Audit
A Zoom session is conducted to review the structured gap list with the client. The client submits additional evidence or demonstrates controls live. Stage 2 audit then assesses the effectiveness of ISO/IEC 27001 control implementation across all in-scope areas through interviews, observation, document and record review. Nonconformities are documented with severity classification and management response.
Report Issuance and Certification
The Stage 2 audit findings are compiled, independently reviewed by CertPro's QA team, and shared with the client for factual accuracy review. The ISO 27001 certification is then issued by the IAF-accredited certification body upon satisfactory closure of identified nonconformities and completion of the certification decision process.
Is Your Control Environment Ready?
The five areas below represent common observations identified during ISO/IEC 27001 audits. Each one maps directly to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 clause or Annex A control requirements.
ISMS Scope and Risk Assessment Documentation
A defined ISMS scope and documented risk assessment are core ISO 27001 requirements. Assessments must identify threats, evaluate likelihood and impact, and define risk treatment with control selection recorded in the Statement of Applicability.
Statement of Applicability
The SoA lists the Annex A controls, identifies applicability, and documents the rationale for exclusions and implementation status. It is a key audit document reviewed in both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Information Security Policies and Procedures
Management-approved policies must cover access control, incident response, asset management, supplier risk, and data classification. Policies must be current, communicated, and supported by evidence of implementation.
Internal Audit and Management Review Records
Clause 9 requires internal audits and management reviews at defined intervals. These records demonstrate active ISMS monitoring and leadership accountability for its effectiveness.
Corrective Action and Nonconformity Records
Organizations should document how nonconformities are identified, analyzed, and resolved. These records demonstrate continual improvement under Clause 10 and are a core audit focus.
Readiness Score
Based on a review across ISO/IEC 27001:2022 clauses and Annex A control domains. Four areas require additional evidence prior to Stage 1.
Independent ISO 27001 Audit.
Evidence-Based. Accreditation-Aligned.
Six principles govern how CertPro conducts every ISO 27001 audit engagement, from scoping through final report completion. These commitments are structural, documented in every audit report, and governed by the requirements of ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 at every stage.
Audit Independence
CertPro does not provide ISMS implementation or advisory services to audited organizations. An impartiality check is documented for every engagement. Audit conclusions are based solely on objective evidence from the current audit, aligned with ISO 19011 requirements.
Standardized Engagements
All audits follow ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 19011 guidelines. Stage 1 and Stage 2 are executed using a structured, evidence-based methodology. Any certification decision is made by the accredited certification body.
Evidence-Based Conformity Assessment
All conclusions are supported by objective evidence. Controls are assessed through interview, observation, document and record review. Auditors independently verify samples using system queries, configuration reviews, and log analysis.
Credentialed Audit Team
Each engagement is led by an ISO Lead Auditor, supported by CISA-certified auditors and domain specialists. Credentials align with the audit scope. CertPro brings 12+ years of audit experience across key industries.
Transparent Communication
Findings are communicated clearly at every stage. Nonconformities include clause reference, severity, evidence, and required action. Clients track progress in real time with milestone updates. All findings are communicated progressively throughout the engagement.
Globally trusted
CertPro ISO 27001 audits are a recognized trust signal for information security management worldwide. Adherence to established audit standards drives consistent acceptance of our reports by enterprise customers globally.
ISO 27001: Questions We Hear Most
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 defines requirements for establishing, implementing, and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It applies to organizations handling sensitive data and needing to demonstrate a structured, independently verified security posture. Common adopters include technology companies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and managed service organizations.
Stage 1 reviews ISMS documentation and readiness against ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Stage 2 assesses the practical control implementation and effectiveness through objective evidence. Both stages are required for certification. CertPro conducts both, with certification issued by an IAF-accredited body upon successful completion.
The audit evaluates conformity across the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 framework. This includes ISMS scope, risk assessment and treatment, Statement of Applicability, Annex A controls, internal audits, management reviews, and corrective actions. All conclusions are based on objective evidence.
Annex A includes 93 controls across organizational, people, physical, and technological domains. Selection is based on risk assessment. Applicable controls, exclusions, and justifications are documented in the Statement of Applicability, a key audit document reviewed against ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements in both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Timelines depend on the organization's readiness and the scope of the engagement. CertPro conducts Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO 19011. Any certification decision is made by the accredited certification body following completion of the applicable review process. Surveillance audits are typically conducted at annual intervals thereafter.
ISO/IEC 27001 is a management system standard assessed through certification by an accredited certification body. SOC 2 is an attestation framework governed by the AICPA, and SOC 2 reports are issued by a licensed CPA firm. Organizations often pursue both to support different buyer and regulatory requirements.
Begin Your Compliance Audit with a Licensed CPA Firm.
Schedule a 30-minute scoping call with a credentialed auditor. We will identify the right framework, discuss audit scope and outline a clear path based on your current state.