Scenario 10: CircuitLinking is a company specializing in water purification solutions, designing and manufacturing efficient...

Scenario 10: CircuitLinking is a company specializing in water purification solutions, designing and manufacturing efficient filtration and treatment systems for both residential and commercial applications. Over the past two years, the company has actively implemented an integrated management system (IMS) that aligns with both ISO/IEC 27001 for information security and ISO 9001 for quality management. Recently, the company has taken a significant step forward by applying for a combined audit, aiming to achieve certification against both ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 9001.

In preparation for the certification audit, CircuitLinking ensured a clear understanding of ISO/IEC 27001 within the company, identified key subject-matter experts to assist the auditors, allocated sufficient resources, performed a self-assessment, and gathered all necessary documentation in advance. Following the successful completion of the Stage 1 audit (which focused on verifying the design of the management system), the Stage 2 audit was conducted to examine the implementation and effectiveness of the information security and quality management systems.

One of the auditors, Megan, was a previous employee of the company. To uphold the integrity of the certification process, the company notified the certification body about the potential conflict of interest and requested an auditor change. Subsequently, the certification body selected a replacement, ensuring impartiality. Additionally, the company requested a background check of the audit team members; however, the certification body denied this request. The necessary adjustments to the audit plan were made, and transparent communication with stakeholders was maintained.

The audit process continued seamlessly under the new auditor’s guidance. Upon audit completion, the certification body evaluated the results and conclusions of the audit and CircuitLinking's public information, and awarded CircuitLinking the combined certification.

A recertification audit for CircuitLinking was conducted to verify that the company's management system continued to meet the required standards and remained effective within the defined scope of certification. CircuitLinking had implemented significant changes, including a major overhaul of its information security processes, new technology platforms, and adjustments to comply with recent legislative changes. Due to these updates, the recertification audit required a Stage 1 assessment to evaluate the impact.

Which of the following does NOT follow auditing best practices? Refer to Scenario 10.