ISO 22301 Lead Auditor is an advanced training course designed to equip professionals with the expert competencies required to conduct and lead audits of Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) based on ISO 22301. Utilizing best-practice audit principles and methodologies, the course provides the specialized knowledge needed to effectively navigate the BCMS audit landscape, ensuring organizations can verify their resilience and safeguard operations against diverse disruptions.
Why You Should Attend
As organizations increasingly pursue ISO 22301 certification to mitigate the risks posed by unpredictable disasters and disruptions, the demand for highly skilled auditors has grown significantly. This course responds directly to that need by developing the critical expertise required to assess and verify organizational compliance with the standard.
Understanding the paramount importance of effective, rigorous audits, PECB has developed this course to provide mastery of the audit process. It prepares you to plan and execute audits in accordance with ISO 19011 guidelines and manage the certification process as defined by ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements. Through dynamic, interactive learning—including in-depth explanations, practical exercises, and facilitated discussions—you will gain profound insights into BCMS requirements and advanced audit techniques.
Successful completion of the course grants eligibility for the certification exam. Passing the exam earns you the internationally recognized “PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor” credential, a testament to your professional capability in auditing organizations against ISO 22301 requirements using best-practice methodologies.
Who Should Attend
This course is intended for:
Auditors aiming to perform and lead BCMS audits
Managers or consultants seeking to master the BCMS audit process
Individuals responsible for maintaining conformity with BCMS requirements within an organization
Technical experts preparing to support or undergo BCMS audits
Expert advisors in the field of business continuity management
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, you will be able to:
Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of a BCMS based on ISO 22301.
Interpret the ISO 22301 requirements from the perspective of an auditor.
Evaluate BCMS conformity to ISO 22301 in accordance with core audit concepts and principles.
Plan, conduct, and close an ISO 22301 compliance audit, following ISO/IEC 17021-1, ISO 19011, and other auditing best practices.
Manage an ISO 22301 audit program.
Educational Approach
The course employs a participant-centered, interactive methodology:
Combines theoretical knowledge with industry-level best practices in BCMS auditing, ISO 22301 requirements, and international auditing standards.
Features lecture sessions complemented by practical exercises based on a case study, including role-playing and guided discussions.
Fosters an engaging learning environment through active discussion between the trainer and participants.
Includes multiple-choice and scenario-based quizzes designed to prepare participants for the certification exam.
Prerequisites
Participants are required to have a fundamental understanding of business continuity concepts and a comprehensive knowledge of BCMS audit principles.
Live classes for this course are led by Islam Elzayat, a PECB Certified Trainer with more than 17 years of experience in IT governance, cybersecurity GRC, IT audit and IT service management, including more than 500 third-party audit days. Full profile and verified badges.
Live classes are held online. Class hours are arranged with the participants to suit their time zones. The e-learning and hybrid options start as soon as your course is assigned.
The course covers five days of content, with the certification exam on the fifth day, and carries 31 CPD credits. In the e-learning 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 are required to have a fundamental understanding of business continuity concepts and a comprehensive knowledge of BCMS audit principles.
It is available as e-learning (English), hybrid learning (English) and live online class (English). Choose the format and language before adding the course to your cart.
Hybrid learning combines the self-paced course with one day of one-to-one live coaching with the instructor. The day can be split into a half day before you start studying and a half day before your exam, so you go in prepared.
The next live classes start on Thursday, 1 April 2027, 9:00 am and on Thursday, 28 October 2027, 9:00 am. They are held online and led by Islam Elzayat. Class hours are arranged with the participants to suit their time zones. Select “Live Event” and your date before adding the course to your cart.
PECB issues the certificate. After passing the exam you can apply for the “PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor” credential. Horus Academy is a PECB Authorized Silver Partner and does not issue the certificate itself.
The “PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor” exam fully meets the requirements of the PECB Examination and Certification Program (ECP). The exam covers the following competency domains:
Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of a business continuity management system
Domain 2: Business continuity management system requirements
Domain 3: Fundamental audit concepts and principles
Domain 4: Preparing an ISO 22301 audit
Domain 5: Conducting an ISO 22301 audit
Domain 6: Closing an ISO 22301 audit
Domain 7: Managing an ISO 22301 audit program
After successfully completing the exam, you can apply for one of the credentials shown on the table below. You will receive a certificate once you fulfill all the requirements of the selected credential.
| Credential | Exam | Professional experience | MS audit/assessment experience | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECB Certified ISO 22301 Provisional Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | None | None | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO 22301 Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | Two years: One year of work experience in Business Continuity Management | Audit activities: a total of 200 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | Five years: Two years of work experience in Business Continuity Management | Audit activities: a total of 300 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO 22301 Senior Lead Auditor | PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalent | Ten years: Seven years of work experience in Business Continuity 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 visit the following link: https://pecb.com/master-credentials.
To be considered valid, the audit activities should follow best audit practices and include the following:
Course agenda
Day 1: Introduction to the business continuity management system (BCMS) and ISO 22301
Day 2: Audit principles and the preparation for and initiation of an audit
Day 3: On-site audit activities
Day 4: Closing of the audit
Day 5: Certification exam
