How should the auditor prepare for on-site activities during the audit?

To effectively prepare for on-site activities during an audit, familiarizing oneself with the Information Security Management System (ISMS) documentation is crucial. This documentation provides a baseline understanding of the organization's policies, procedures, and controls related to information security. By reviewing the ISMS documentation, the auditor gains insights into how the organization manages information security risks, what controls are in place, and how these align with ISO/IEC 27001 requirements.

Understanding the ISMS documentation allows auditors to tailor their audit approach, develop relevant questions, and identify specific areas that require closer examination during the on-site audit activities. This preparation significantly increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the audit process, as it equips the auditor with context and clarity about the organization's information security posture.

While reviewing attendance lists, preparing checklists, and scheduling follow-up calls all have their merits in an audit preparation phase, they do not provide the depth of insight into the organization’s information security practices that familiarity with the ISMS documentation does. This foundational knowledge is integral to a successful audit process.