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 and identified key subject-matter experts to assist the auditors. It also allocated sufficient resources and performed a self-assessment to verify that processes were clearly defined, roles and responsibilities were segregated, and documented information was maintained. To avoid delays, the company gathered all necessary documentation in advance to provide evidence that procedures were in place and effective.

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 to its management system, including a major overhaul of its information security processes, the adoption of new technology platforms, and adjustments to comply with recent changes in industry legislation. Due to these substantial updates, the recertification audit required a Stage 1 assessment to evaluate the impact of these changes.

According to Scenario 10, the certification body evaluated the results and conclusions of the audit and CircuitLinking’s public information when making the certification decision. Is this acceptable?