Overview
EN ISO/IEC 27006-1:2024 - "Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection - Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of information security management systems - Part 1: General" specifies requirements and provides guidance for bodies that audit and certify Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Published as ISO/IEC 27006-1:2024 and endorsed by CEN, it complements ISO/IEC 17021-1 by defining how certification bodies must demonstrate competence and reliability when certifying ISMS. The document can be used as a criteria document for accreditation, peer assessment or other audit processes and replaces the earlier 2021 edition.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard covers high-level and operational requirements for certification bodies. Main topics include:
- Principles and general requirements
- Legal and contractual matters, impartiality management, liability and financing.
- Structural requirements
- Organizational structures necessary to support ISMS certification activities.
- Resource and competence requirements
- Competence of personnel, generic competence criteria, auditor knowledge and experience, use of external auditors/technical experts, personnel records and outsourcing controls.
- Information and documentation
- Public information, certification documents specific to ISMS, referencing other standards, confidentiality and secure exchange of client information.
- Process and audit requirements
- Pre-certification activities (application review, audit programme, audit time determination, multi-site sampling), planning and conducting audits, audit reporting and specific ISMS audit elements.
- Certification lifecycle
- Certification decision criteria, surveillance, re-certification, special audits, and suspension/withdrawal of certification.
- Use cases for accreditation
- The standard provides interpretation and guidance useful for accreditation bodies and peer assessments.
Applications and who should use it
EN ISO/IEC 27006-1:2024 is intended for:
- Certification bodies providing ISMS audit and certification (to demonstrate competence and reliability).
- Accreditation bodies using the document as criteria for accrediting ISMS certification bodies.
- ISMS auditors and technical experts seeking guidance on required competence and audit practices.
- Organizations seeking ISO/IEC 27001 certification, to understand expectations of certification bodies.
- Regulators and procurement teams requiring accredited ISMS certification as part of supplier assurance.
Practical uses include developing auditor competence frameworks, designing ISMS audit programmes (including multi-site sampling), defining confidentiality controls, and preparing documentation for accreditation.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 17021-1 - General requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems (primary normative reference).
- ISO/IEC 27001 - Requirements for ISMS (subject of certification).
- EN ISO/IEC 27006-1:2024 aligns ISMS-specific certification practice with these foundational standards.
Keywords: EN ISO/IEC 27006-1:2024, ISMS certification, information security, cybersecurity, privacy protection, certification body competence, accreditation.
