EFFECTIVE INFORMATION SECURITY AUDIT
“Auditing Information Systems to Strengthen Data Protection, Risk Management & Cybersecurity Compliance”
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 – 05 Sep 2025 | London, UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
In an era of escalating cyber threats, regulatory scrutiny, and business dependence on digital infrastructure, organizations must proactively assess the effectiveness of their information security controls. An information security audit provides assurance that systems, policies, and practices meet internal standards and comply with regulations like ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, and NIST.
This intensive 5-day course equips internal auditors, IT professionals, and risk managers with the knowledge, tools, and techniques to plan and execute comprehensive information security audits. Participants will gain hands-on experience auditing governance frameworks, technical controls, access management, and incident response mechanisms.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the principles, scope, and methodology of information security auditing
• Plan and conduct risk-based audits of IT environments and ISMS controls
• Evaluate compliance with ISO 27001, cybersecurity frameworks, and privacy laws
• Identify control weaknesses and recommend practical improvements
• Prepare audit reports that support decision-making and regulatory readiness
Key Benefits of Attending
• To ensure your organization’s information security controls are effective and compliant
• To detect and address gaps in access, encryption, policies, and monitoring
• To support certification readiness for standards like ISO 27001
• To reduce exposure to cyber risk and data breaches
• To build internal audit capacity in information and cybersecurity governance
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• Internal and IT auditors
• Information security officers and cybersecurity managers
• Compliance, risk, and data privacy professionals
• IT operations and infrastructure managers
• Anyone responsible for evaluating information security controls
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• ISMS auditing and evidence-based assessment
• IT risk and vulnerability analysis
• Control testing and documentation review
• Compliance mapping to ISO 27001, GDPR, NIST CSF
• Reporting, recommendations, and audit follow-up
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Improved risk awareness and cybersecurity posture
• Stronger internal controls for confidentiality, integrity, and availability
• Reduced risk of regulatory fines and reputational damage
• Standardized audit procedures across systems and teams
• Readiness for third-party audits and certifications
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings – Risk-based audit planning, frameworks, and key concepts
• Case Studies – Real-world breaches, audit failures, and regulatory actions
• Workshops – Audit checklists, gap analysis, and access reviews
• Peer Exchange – Sharing cross-industry audit experiences
• Tools – Sample audit plans, evidence logs, compliance matrices, and reporting templates
Course Outline
Detailed 5-Day Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Information Security Audit Fundamentals
Module 1: The Role of Information Security Audits (07:30 – 09:30)
• Purpose, scope, and audit lifecycle
• Risk-based approach and audit principles
Module 2: Overview of ISMS Standards and Frameworks (09:45 – 11:15)
• ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, COBIT, GDPR
• Clauses and controls relevant to auditing
Module 3: Audit Planning and Risk Assessment (11:30 – 01:00)
• Defining scope and objectives
• Threat modeling and control mapping
Module 4: Workshop – Develop an Audit Plan (02:00 – 03:30)
• Build an audit scope and risk register for a case study
Day 2: Technical and Administrative Controls Review
Module 1: Access Control and Identity Management (07:30 – 09:30)
• User provisioning, segregation of duties, and role-based access
• Password policies and MFA effectiveness
Module 2: Network and System Security (09:45 – 11:15)
• Firewall and endpoint protection auditing
• Logs, alerts, and SIEM integration
Module 3: Physical and Environmental Security (11:30 – 01:00)
• Data center controls and physical access review
• Visitor logs, CCTV, and disaster preparedness
Module 4: Simulation – Access Review Audit (02:00 – 03:30)
• Conduct sample access and privilege analysis
Day 3: Operational Security and Incident Preparedness
Module 1: Change Management and System Hardening (07:30 – 09:30)
• Patch management and secure configuration
• Documentation and approval tracking
Module 2: Backup, Recovery, and Business Continuity (09:45 – 11:15)
• Data backup procedures and offsite storage audits
• BCP/DRP compliance and test results
Module 3: Incident Management and Breach Handling (11:30 – 01:00)
• Incident response policies and logs
• Case analysis: breaches and audit failures
Module 4: Workshop – Audit of BCP/IR Controls (02:00 – 03:30)
• Evaluate sample plans and test reports
Day 4: Compliance, Privacy, and Evidence Collection
Module 1: Regulatory and Legal Compliance Audits (07:30 – 09:30)
• GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and cross-border data audits
• Mapping legal obligations to ISMS controls
Module 2: Data Classification and Retention (09:45 – 11:15)
• Personal data handling, encryption, and retention policy review
Module 3: Collecting and Validating Audit Evidence (11:30 – 01:00)
• Interviewing, observation, and sampling
• Evidence logs and traceability
Module 4: Workshop – Conduct a Compliance Gap Analysis (02:00 – 03:30)
• Map findings to audit objectives and recommend actions
Day 5: Audit Reporting and Continuous Improvement
Module 1: Writing Audit Reports and Communicating Results (07:30 – 09:30)
• Audit report format, clarity, and tone
• Recommendations and risk ranking
Module 2: Follow-up, Corrective Actions, and Re-audits (09:45 – 11:15)
• Action tracking and management buy-in
• CAPAs and lessons learned
Module 3: Building a Long-Term Audit Program (11:30 – 01:00)
• Annual planning, integration with enterprise risk
• Automation tools and auditor skill development
Module 4: Final Presentation and Certification (02:00 – 03:30)
• Group presentation of audit findings
• Certification ceremony and feedback
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Effective Information Security Audit, validating their proficiency in assessing information security frameworks, detecting control weaknesses, and supporting compliance with global cybersecurity standards.