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The ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Course aims to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to perform first, second and third-party audits of information security management systems against ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (with ISO/IEC 27002), in accordance with ISO 19011:2026 and ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, as applicable. All references in this document to ISO standards are to the current versions unless otherwise stated. Learners who successfully complete this CQI and IRCA or Exemplar Global Certified ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Auditor (ISMS) Training course (within the five years prior to making an application to become a certificated auditor) will satisfy the training requirements for initial certification as a CQI-IRCA or Exemplar Global ISMS auditor.
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Recommend prior knowledge: CQI and IRCA Certified ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Foundation (ISMS) (FD134)
Management systems
Understand the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
a) Information security management
Knowledge of the following information security management principles and concepts:
Awareness of the need for information security;
The assignment of responsibility for information security;
Incorporating management commitment and the interests of stakeholders;
Enhancing societal values;
Using the results of risk assessments to determine appropriate controls to reach acceptable levels of risk;
Incorporating security as an essential element of information networks and systems;
The active prevention and detection of information security incidents;
Ensuring a comprehensive approach to information security management;
Continual reassessment of information security and making of modifications as appropriate
b) ISO/IEC 27001
Knowledge of the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001: 2022 (with ISO/IEC 27002) and the commonly used information security management terms and definitions, as given in ISO/IEC 27000:2022, which may be gained by completing CQI and IRCA or Exemplar Global Certified ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Foundation (ISMS) Training course or equivalent.
To participate in the virtual training sessions, you will need:
Advance your career in information security, Cyber Security and Privacy Protection auditing with our ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Course, based on ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and designed for professionals aiming to lead successful external and internal audits, as well as delegates who have relevant experience but may not have an internationally certified CQI-IRCA or Exemplar Global training certificate. This comprehensive program is available in In-Person/Classroom, Live/Virtual, or Blended Learning formats, ensuring flexibility for your learning needs. Through this training, you'll gain the essential skills and knowledge to confidently lead audit teams and assess conformity with the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security, Cyber Security and Privacy Protection Management System standard. Whether you're stepping into information security, cyber security, or privacy security auditing or looking to enhance your expertise, this ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Course provides the tools to achieve excellence. Start your journey toward becoming a certified leader in Information Security, Cyber Security and Privacy Protection auditing today!

Knowledge
Explain the purpose and business benefits of an information security management system, information security management system standards, management system audits, and third-party certification.
Explain the role of an auditor to plan, conduct, report, and follow up an information security management system audit in accordance with ISO 19011:2026 and ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, where appropriate.
Skills
Plan, conduct, report, and follow up an audit of an information security management system to establish conformity (or otherwise) with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (with ISO/IEC 27002) in accordance with ISO 19011:2026 and ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, where appropriate, as covered in the ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Course.
Yes, this is a CQI-IRCA Certified Lead Auditor programme under Course ID 2604. The course is designed to build and verify your competence to audit a complete Information Security Management System, known as an ISMS, against ISO/IEC 27001:2022. It also includes formal assessment requirements aligned with Auditor and Lead Auditor expectations.
This course is intended for professionals who need to audit a complete Information Security Management System against the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2022. It is particularly suitable for learners involved in second-party audits, such as customer or supplier audits, and third-party audits, including certification-focused audit activities. It is also suitable for those preparing to work in these audit environments. As this is a five-day intensive training programme with practical audit activities and a final examination, it is best suited to learners who are ready for a more advanced and demanding level of auditor training.
Yes, before registering for this course, you should already be familiar with the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2022, or you should have completed ISMS Fundamentals training beforehand. This background knowledge is required because it provides the essential foundation needed for Auditor and Lead Auditor training. It also helps ensure that you can fully engage with the full audit lifecycle activities covered during the course, including audit planning, conducting audits, reporting audit results, and following up on audit outcomes.
This course is the right level if your goal is to develop the competence to perform and lead audits of a complete Information Security Management System, rather than simply understand the standard requirements. The course is structured around the full audit lifecycle, including planning, conducting, reporting, and follow-up. If you are new to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, then a Fundamentals course would be the best starting point before progressing to Lead Auditor training.
The delivery format for your course will be confirmed at the time of registration. If your cohort is delivered virtually, the training will take place on the Zoom platform, and you will receive the relevant joining instructions, access details, and platform guidance in advance. To participate effectively, you will need a stable internet connection and a laptop, desktop, iPad, or other tablet device that supports the required platform, together with working audio and an active web camera.
The course is practical and skills-focused, not just theory-based. It includes consultant-facilitated activities and follows a structured audit approach aligned with the ISO 19011 audit lifecycle. There is also a strong emphasis on audit tools, audit techniques, auditor behaviours, and the responsibilities expected of a Lead Auditor.
Yes, learners complete a facilitated audit covering the full audit lifecycle. During this practical audit work, learners apply audit planning, evidence gathering, findings development, and reporting methods in practice. Competence is developed and verified through structured course activities and applied audit work.
Yes, the course includes a final CQI-IRCA online, computer-marked examination. The exam forms part of the formal assessment requirements for successful course completion. Successful completion of both the course and examination supports achievement of the programme outcome in line with CQI-IRCA requirements.
After completing the course, you will be able to plan, conduct, report, and follow up audits of a complete Information Security Management System against ISO/IEC 27001:2022. You will also be able to apply the ISO 19011 audit lifecycle across different ISMS audit scenarios in a structured and professional manner. In addition, you will be able to deliver evidence-based audit findings and conclusions that support ISMS effectiveness, conformity, and continual improvement.
This Lead Auditor course focuses on auditing a complete Information Security Management System through a structured, facilitated audit approach. It places strong emphasis on consistent interpretation of ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements, together with the evaluation of information security controls, risk, and system effectiveness. The course also provides practical development of auditor tools, techniques, behaviours, and the leadership capability expected of professional Lead Auditors.
An ISO/IEC 27001 Auditor/Lead Auditor course focuses on external audits and provides the knowledge and practical skills required to plan, conduct, manage, and report audits of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) against ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements. It helps participants develop the competence needed to lead audit activities and evaluate the effectiveness of an organization's information security management system.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Auditor/Lead Auditor training provides an overview of the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2002 and ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Its primary focus is on external audits, i.e. audit initiation, audit planning and preparation, audit risk and opportunities, collecting and evaluating audit evidence, the selection and evaluation of audit methods, evaluating conformity, identifying conformities/nonconformities, preparing audit conclusion statement/audit reports, corrections and corrective actions, and post-audit follow-up activities.
The course develops practical external auditing skills encompassing the full requirements of ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and the specific controls under guidance from ISO/IEC 27002:2022. including planning audit activities, conducting interviews, reviewing documented information, gathering and evaluating objective evidence, assessing conformity, documenting audit findings, preparing audit reports, and managing follow-up activities. These skills help participants conduct systematic and effective ISMS audits.
Yes. ISO 27001 Lead Auditor training is suitable for information security and IT professionals, internal and external auditors, risk and compliance professionals, consultants, managers, and others involved in implementing, maintaining, or auditing an Information Security Management System. It should be emphasised that the adoption of an ISMS is a company or organization wide system and it affects Information Asset Owners, Audit and Risk committees, C-Suite leaders and Compliance professionals.
Completing an ISO/IEC 27001 Auditor/Lead Auditor course is an Internationally recognised qualification recognised by industry, IAF Certification Bodies, Government organizations responsible for meeting Regulatory information security, cyber security and privacy requirements. . The training can support professional responsibilities involving information security auditing, risk management, compliance, governance, internal auditing, and management system improvement.
To participate in the virtual training sessions, you will need:



Upon successful completion, each learner shall receive a digital Certificate of Completion that is recognized globally.