The ISO 18788 Lead Auditor training course enables participants to develop the necessary expertise to perform a Security Operations Management System (SOMS) audit by applying widely recognized audit principles, procedures, and techniques. Throughout this program, attendees will acquire the knowledge and skills required to plan and conduct internal and external audits in compliance with ISO 19011 and the ISO/IEC 17021-1 certification process.
Through practical exercises, participants will master audit techniques and develop the competence necessary to manage an audit program, lead an audit team, facilitate communication with clients, and resolve conflicts effectively.
After acquiring the expertise required to perform these audits, participants may sit for the examination and apply for the “PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor” credential. This certification demonstrates the capabilities and competencies required to audit organizations based on established best practices.
Who Should Attend?
This training course is intended for:
Auditors seeking to perform and lead Security Operations Management System (SOMS) certification audits
Managers or consultants aiming to master the Security Operations Management System audit process
Individuals responsible for maintaining conformance with SOMS requirements
Technical experts preparing for a Security Operations Management System audit
Expert advisors in security operations management
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this training course, participants will be able to:
Understand the operations of Security Operations Management Systems (SOMS) based on ISO 18788
Recognize the correlation between ISO 18788 and other relevant standards and regulatory frameworks
Understand the auditor’s role in planning, leading, and following up on a management system audit in accordance with ISO 19011
Interpret the requirements of ISO 18788 in the context of a SOMS audit
Educational Approach
This training combines theoretical instruction with best practices applied in SOMS audits
Lecture sessions incorporate practical questions and illustrative examples
Practical exercises include real-world examples and interactive discussions
Practice tests are structured to closely reflect the format and content of the certification examination
Prerequisites
Participants should possess a fundamental understanding of ISO 18788 and comprehensive knowledge of audit principles.
The course covers five days of content, with the certification exam on the fifth day, and carries 31 CPD credits. In the self-study format you cover the same material at your own pace.
Yes. The course fee includes the PECB certification and examination fees. If you do not pass, one complimentary retake is available within 12 months of your first attempt.
Participants should possess a fundamental understanding of ISO 18788 and comprehensive knowledge of audit principles.
It is available as self-study (English). Choose the format and language before adding the course to your cart.
There is no scheduled live class for this course at the moment. Organizations that want a dedicated live session can contact us at [email protected].
PECB issues the certificate. After passing the exam you can apply for the “PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor” credential. Horus Academy is a PECB Authorized Silver Partner and does not issue the certificate itself.
The “PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor” exam fully meets the requirements of the PECB Examination and Certification Programme (ECP). The exam covers the following competency domains:
Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of a Security Operations Management System (SOMS)
Domain 2: Security Operations Management Systems (SOMS)
Domain 3: Fundamental audit concepts and principles
Domain 4: Preparation of an ISO 18788 audit
Domain 5: Conducting an ISO 18788 audit
Domain 6: Closing an ISO 18788 audit
Domain 7: Managing an ISO 18788 audit programme
Upon the successful completion of the exam, you can apply for the credentials shown on the table below. Depending on the level of experience, a certificate will be issued to you if you comply with all the other requirements related to the selected credential. For more information about the ISO 18788 certifications and the PECB certification process, please refer to the Certification Rules and Policies.
The requirements for PECB Auditor Certifications are:
| Credential | Exam | Professional experience | MS audit/assessment experience | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECB Certified ISO 18788 Provisional Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | None | None | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO 18788 Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | Two years: One year of work experience in Security Operations Management | Audit activities: a total of 200 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | Five years: Two years of work experience in Security Operations Management | Audit activities: a total of 300 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO 18788 Senior Lead Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | Ten years: Seven years of work experience in Security Operations Management | Audit activities: a total of 1,000 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
Note: PECB Certified Individuals who do possess the Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor Credentials are qualified for the respective PECB Master Credential, given they have taken 4 additional Foundation Exams which are related to this scheme. For more detailed information about the Foundation Exams and the overall Master Requirements, please go to the following link: https://pecb.com/master-credentials.
To be considered valid, these audits should follow best audit practices and include the following activities:
Course agenda
Day 1: Introduction to a Security Operations Management System (SOMS) and ISO 18788
Day 2: Audit principles, preparation and launching of an audit
Day 3: On-site audit activities
Day 4: Closing the audit
Day 5: Certification exam
