Security · Compliance & Audit Readiness · 07
Internal audit support
Internal audit support provides an independent internal audit of the security program, or strengthens the one the organization runs, so that management receives honest findings before an external party does. It is needed when a standard such as ISO/IEC 27001 requires internal audits by someone independent of the area audited, when the internal audit function has no security expertise, when the organization is too small to have one, or when management wants findings it can trust. The support produces an audit plan tied to the standard and the risk register, audits performed against defined criteria with sampled evidence, findings graded and documented in the form the certification body expects, and follow-up records that show findings were addressed.
Scope
What the review covers.
- Audit program and plan tied to the standard and the risk register
- Independence arrangements so no one audits their own work
- Audit execution: criteria, sampling, interviews, evidence
- Findings: nonconformities, observations and opportunities, graded and documented
- Corrective action tracking and verification of closure
- Reporting to management review
Deliverables
What you receive.
| Deliverable | Form |
|---|---|
| Audit program | What is audited, when and by whom |
| Audit reports | Findings with evidence, grading and corrective actions |
| Corrective action log | Tracked to verified closure |
| Management review input | Summary for the management review record |
Prerequisites
What we need from you.
- The standard or framework the audit is performed against
- Access to control owners, records and systems in the audited area
- A management sponsor to receive findings and own corrective actions
Related
Where this sits.
By David Selakovic · Published 2026-10-16 · Revised 2026-10-16 · Reviewed every 180 days
Questions
Asked before engaging.
Can an external firm perform our internal audit?
Yes. Standards require independence from the audited area, not employment by the organization. Outsourced internal audit is common.
How is this different from a readiness gap assessment?
A gap assessment is diagnostic. An internal audit is a formal, recorded audit that the standard requires and the certifier examines.
Will findings be shared with the certification body?
The certifier reviews your internal audit records as part of the audit. The records show the system works, including when it finds problems.