What step should an auditor follow to ensure the competence of staff in outsourced operations?

To ensure the competence of staff in outsourced operations, the auditor should focus on reviewing the service provider's processes and employees' contracts. This step is crucial because it allows the auditor to assess whether the outsourced personnel possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and expertise required to perform the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them. By examining the employees’ contracts, the auditor can look for provisions related to training, qualifications, and performance standards that ensure the competence of the staff.

Furthermore, reviewing the service provider's processes allows the auditor to evaluate how the provider maintains and verifies staff qualifications, training programs, and any ongoing professional development initiatives. Competent staff is essential to maintaining compliance with ISO/IEC 27001 standards, as they play a critical role in implementing and adhering to information security controls.

While having disaster recovery processes in place and evaluating plans for unexpected termination of the outsourcing agreement are important aspects of managing outsourced operations, they primarily focus on response and continuity rather than directly assessing staff competence. Competence is foundational to the effectiveness of the processes and can significantly impact the overall security posture of the organization.