Course Description
Leading Information Security Audits for Energy Utilities and Critical Infrastructure Environments
The ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor Certification is a professional credential designed to develop, validate, and recognize expert-level competence in auditing information security controls for the energy utility industry, in accordance with ISO/IEC 27019:2017, in alignment with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002.
This certification prepares professionals to plan, conduct, lead, and report first-party, second-party, and third-party audits focused on information security for process control systems, operational technology (OT), SCADA, and energy automation environments. It emphasizes risk-based auditing, sector-specific controls, regulatory compliance, resilience, and leadership accountability in critical infrastructure contexts.
This certification goes beyond generic ISMS auditing
Why ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor Certification from GIPMC?
Energy utilities and critical infrastructure organizations face heightened cybersecurity threats, regulatory scrutiny, and operational risk. This certification is sector-specific, globally relevant, and regulator-aligned, enabling auditors to operate confidently within highly sensitive and safety-critical energy environments.
Key Advantages
- Globally relevant ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor credential
- Strong alignment with energy-sector cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection
- Risk-based and process-oriented audit approach for OT and ICS environments
- Applicable across power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilities
- Career-oriented certification with strong critical-infrastructure credibility
This certification supports professionals at the senior audit, cybersecurity, OT governance, and energy compliance leadership level.
Market Relevance
As cyber threats against energy infrastructure increase, demand for qualified ISO 27019 Lead Auditors continues to rise globally.
- 80–95% of energy utilities are required to strengthen cybersecurity governance for OT and control systems
- 70–90% hiring preference for cybersecurity and audit professionals with energy-sector security expertise
- 30–55% reduction in OT security nonconformities through sector-specific ISMS and ISO 27019 audits
- 2x higher regulatory confidence and incident preparedness in utilities supported by certified lead auditors
(Based on aggregated global critical infrastructure protection mandates, energy-sector cybersecurity incidents, and compliance trends.)
These figures demonstrate why ISO 27019 Lead Auditor capability is critical to energy security and national resilience.
Who Should Pursue ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor Certification? (Target Audience)
The ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor Certification is suitable for professionals involved in cybersecurity, auditing, and governance within the energy sector, including:
- ISO 27019 Lead Auditors and External Auditors
- Energy Sector Information Security and OT Security Managers
- SCADA, ICS, and Critical Infrastructure Security Professionals
- Risk, Compliance, and Governance Managers
- Internal Auditors and Audit Program Managers
- Consultants supporting energy-sector cybersecurity compliance
- Professionals responsible for utility security governance
Across the energy value chain, this certification provides a structured framework for leading effective sector-specific cybersecurity audits.
Detailed Learning Outcomes
By earning the ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor Certification, candidates demonstrate the ability to:
1. Fundamentals of ISO 27019 and Energy Sector Security
- Purpose and scope of ISO 27019:2017
- Relationship with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002
- Role of sector-specific controls
2. Energy Utility and Critical Infrastructure Context
- Power generation, transmission, and distribution environments
- Operational technology (OT) and control systems
- Cyber risk landscape for utilities
3. Structure and Requirements of ISO 27019
- Overview of ISO 27019 controls
- Applicability to energy automation systems
- Integration with ISMS
4. Governance and Information Security Management
- Roles, responsibilities, and accountability
- Security policies for energy utilities
- Auditing governance effectiveness
5. Risk-Based Thinking for OT and ICS
- Identifying OT and SCADA risks
- Threats to availability, integrity, and safety
- Auditing risk treatment decisions
6. Process Control and Automation Security
- Security of control rooms and field devices
- Network segmentation and access control
- Auditing technical and procedural safeguards
7. Audit Planning and Preparation
- Defining audit scope, objectives, and criteria
- Developing audit plans and sector-specific checklists
- Managing audit resources
8. Conducting ISO 27019 Audits
- Opening meetings and audit execution
- Interviewing OT engineers, IT staff, and leadership
- Collecting objective cybersecurity evidence
9. Supplier and Third-Party Security
- Auditing vendors, contractors, and service providers
- Managing supply chain cybersecurity risks
- Interface and dependency controls
10. Incident Management and Operational Resilience
- Auditing incident detection and response
- Business continuity and system recovery
- Post-incident review processes
11. Identifying and Writing Nonconformities
- Objective evidence and audit findings
- Classifying nonconformities
- Assessing operational and safety impact
12. Audit Reporting and Professional Conduct
- Preparing professional audit reports
- Communicating findings to executive and technical stakeholders
- Maintaining confidentiality and integrity
13. Audit Program Management and Continual Improvement
- Managing energy-sector cybersecurity audit programs
- Using audits to strengthen resilience and maturity
- Supporting certification and regulatory audits
Professional and Career Benefits
ISO 27019:2017 Lead Auditor certified professionals are recognized for their ability to:
- Lead high-impact cybersecurity audits for energy utilities
- Strengthen OT and ICS security governance
- Reduce cyber risk to critical infrastructure
- Improve regulatory and stakeholder confidence
- Support certification and national infrastructure assurance initiatives
The certification supports career advancement into roles such as:
- ISO 27019 Lead Auditor
- Energy Sector Cybersecurity or OT Security Manager
- Critical Infrastructure Risk and Compliance Manager
- Internal or External Cybersecurity Auditor
- Utility Security Consultant
- Certification Body or Third-Party Auditor
Certification Validity & Renewal
The ISO 27019:2017 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 energy-sector cybersecurity practices
- Protect the long-term value of the certification
Timely renewal allows professionals to retain active certification status without interruption.
