Course Description
The ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Certified Lead Auditor certification is a professional credential designed to develop, validate, and recognize expert-level competence in auditing Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2013.
This certification prepares professionals to plan, conduct, lead, and report first-party, second-party, and third-party audits that assess the conformity, effectiveness, and continual improvement of ISMS. It emphasizes risk-based auditing, information security governance, control effectiveness, legal and regulatory compliance, and leadership accountability.
This certification goes beyond clause interpretation by equipping professionals with the audit leadership capability, security risk insight, and professional judgment
Why ISO 27001 : 2013 - Certified Lead Auditor (CLA) from GIPMC?
As cyber threats, data breaches, and regulatory obligations continue to rise, organizations require independent assurance of their information security controls. This certification is globally recognized, regulator-aligned, and industry-agnostic, enabling auditors to operate confidently across IT, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and service sectors.
Key Advantages
- Globally recognized ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Lead Auditor credential
- Strong alignment with information security and compliance requirements
- Risk-based and process-oriented audit approach
- Applicable across public, private, and regulated industries
- Career-oriented certification with strong cybersecurity credibility
This certification supports professionals at the senior audit, information security, and governance leadership level.
Market Relevance
With the rapid growth of digital transformation and cybersecurity regulations, qualified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditors remain in high global demand.
- 70–90% of organizations require formal ISMS frameworks to protect sensitive information
- 65–85% hiring preference for security and compliance professionals with ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor credentials
- 30–55% reduction in information security nonconformities through structured ISMS audits
- 2x higher certification and regulatory audit success rates when audits are led by certified lead auditors
(Based on aggregated global cybersecurity governance, regulatory compliance, and certification adoption trends.)
These figures demonstrate why ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor capability is critical to information security assurance and organizational trust.
Who Should Pursue ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Certified Lead Auditor? (Target Audience)
The ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Certified Lead Auditor certification is suitable for professionals involved in information security, risk, and audit activities, including:
- ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditors and External Auditors
- Information Security Managers and CISOs
- Risk, Compliance, and Governance Professionals
- IT Audit and Cybersecurity Professionals
- Internal Auditors and Audit Program Managers
- Consultants supporting ISMS implementation or certification
- Professionals responsible for information security oversight
Across industries, this certification provides a structured framework for leading effective ISMS audits.
Detailed Learning Outcomes
By earning the ISO 27001 : 2013 - Certified Lead Auditor (CLA), candidates demonstrate the ability to:
1. Fundamentals of ISO/IEC 27001 and ISMS
- Purpose and structure of ISO/IEC 27001:2013
- Role of ISMS in information security governance
- Information security principles
2. Information Security and Regulatory Context
- Cybersecurity threats and risk landscape
- Legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements
- Audit considerations for compliance
3. ISO/IEC 27001 Requirements and Interpretation
- Clause-by-clause understanding
- Context of the organization and leadership
- Information security policy and objectives
4. Risk Assessment and Risk Treatment
- Identifying information security risks
- Risk evaluation and treatment planning
- Auditing risk management effectiveness
5. Statement of Applicability (SoA) and Controls
- Purpose and structure of the SoA
- Control selection and justification
- Auditing control implementation
6. Process-Based ISMS Auditing
- Identifying ISMS processes
- Evaluating process interaction and effectiveness
- Moving beyond checklist-based audits
7. Audit Planning and Preparation
- Defining audit scope, objectives, and criteria
- Developing audit plans and checklists
- Managing audit resources
8. Conducting ISO/IEC 27001 Audits
- Opening meetings and audit execution
- Interviewing management and technical staff
- Collecting objective audit evidence
9. Auditing Operational Security Controls
- Access control and asset management
- Incident management and business continuity
- Supplier and third-party security
10. Identifying and Writing Nonconformities
- Objective evidence and audit findings
- Classifying nonconformities
- Assessing security impact
11. Audit Reporting and Corrective Actions
- Preparing professional audit reports
- Communicating audit conclusions
- Verifying corrective action effectiveness
12. Leading Audit Teams and Professional Conduct
- Managing and coordinating audit teams
- Ensuring auditor competence and impartiality
- Handling sensitive information securely
13. Audit Program Management and Continual Improvement
- Managing ISMS audit programs
- Using audits to improve security posture
- Supporting certification and surveillance audits
Professional and Career Benefits
ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Certified Lead Auditor professionals are recognized for their ability to:
- Lead high-impact information security audits
- Strengthen ISMS governance and compliance
- Reduce information security risks and incidents
- Improve audit readiness and stakeholder confidence
- Support certification and regulatory assurance initiatives
The certification supports career advancement into roles such as:
- ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor
- Information Security or Risk Manager
- IT and Cybersecurity Audit Lead
- Compliance and Governance Manager
- ISMS Consultant or Advisor
- Certification Body or Third-Party Auditor
Certification Validity & Renewal
The ISO/IEC 27001:2013 – Certified Lead Auditor certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of certification award.
Renewal is designed to:
- Maintain professional credibility
- Ensure continued alignment with evolving information security practices
- Protect the long-term value of the certification
Timely renewal allows professionals to retain active certification status without interruption.
