What is the primary objective of a stage 2 audit?

The primary objective of a stage 2 audit is to evaluate the implementation of the Information Security Management System (ISMS). This phase, often referred to as the certification audit, takes place after the completion of the stage 1 audit, which primarily focuses on the readiness of the organization for the audit by reviewing documentation and the general state of the ISMS.

In the stage 2 audit, auditors perform a comprehensive assessment of how effectively the ISMS has been implemented in practice. This involves reviewing policies, procedures, and controls, and verifying that they are being followed and are in line with the documented ISMS framework. The auditors check whether the system is working effectively, if it meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001, and how well it achieves the intended outcomes regarding information security within the organization.

While other functions, such as reviewing internal audit activities, verifying information security objectives, and assessing risk management effectiveness, may occur, they are not the primary focus of the stage 2 audit. The emphasis is on determining whether the ISMS has been effectively established and implemented across the organization, which directly relates to its ability to manage and mitigate security risks as intended.