What is the primary objective of the stage 2 audit?

The primary objective of the stage 2 audit is to evaluate the implementation of the Information Security Management System (ISMS). This stage occurs after the organization has established and documented its ISMS and is aimed at assessing how well the system is being executed in accordance with the defined policies and procedures. During the stage 2 audit, auditors collect evidence to determine whether the controls are effectively protecting the organization's information assets and if the ISMS is functioning as intended.

This evaluation includes reviewing the actual practices against the documented processes, ensuring that they align with the ISO/IEC 27001 standard requirements. The auditors look for consistent application of policies, risk management processes, and adherence to defined security controls, which reflects the commitment and capacity of the organization to manage information security risks effectively.

By focusing on the implementation, the stage 2 audit ensures that not only are systems and processes in place, but they are also operational and achieving the intended results, thus fulfilling the primary goal of this audit stage. This is essential for determining whether the organization is ready for certification to the ISO/IEC 27001 standard.