As ISO 27001 is the only standard that lays out specifications for an information security management system (ISMS), the certificate is highly regarded and internationally recognized. The certification deals primarily with customers’ data privacy and an organization’s perspective on the priority of protecting this information. So, if you have this certification in your toolbox, it inspires a tremendous amount of confidence in customers and shareholders alike. For this reason, it is quite an achievement to earn this certification because the process is no small feat. One of the most significant steps of the certification process involves an external security audit, which your organization must pass. While the audit during the certification process is the most thorough, you will also need to obtain yearly audit reports to verify that you continue to demonstrate ISO compliance. To ensure that you pass your audit with flying colors, we will walk you through the audit process, discussing the three stages of the audit in addition to the documents you will need to organize in preparation.