Your security and compliance glossary

All the terms you need to know when you’re trying to get compliance audit ready, fast.

Show filters

What is the ISO 27001 Stage 1 Audit?

The ISO 27001 Stage 1 Audit is the first part of the two-stage external ISO certification process. The Stage 1 Audit consists of an extensive documentation review in which an external ISO 27001 auditor reviews an organization’s policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the ISO standard and the organization’s Information Security Management System (ISMS). After completing the Stage 1 audit, the auditor will provide feedback outlining whether the organization is ready to move to the Stage 2 audit

If the auditor determines the ISMS fails to meet the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard, the auditor will typically outline areas of concern—referred to as nonconformities—and will require corrective action or corrective action plans before proceeding to the Stage 2 audit.

An ISO 27001 certification is valid for three years; however, ISO requires surveillance audits be performed each year to ensure the ISMS and its implemented controls continue to operate effectively. Every 12 months during the three-year cycle, an organization’s ISMS must undergo an external audit, where an auditor will assess portions of the ISMS.

{{cta_withimage2="/cta-modules"}}

Additional resources you might like:

Comparisons and reviews
Blog
The best ISO 27001 compliance software for 2026

Discover the best ISO 27001 compliance software options for 2026, including Vanta.

Compliance
Blog
How to handle risk management under growing regulatory pressure: Best practices in 2026

Learn how to align risk management and regulations to navigate the business landscape.

Compliance
Blog
What Is a risk register? Best practices for keeping It actionable

Learn what a risk register is and how modern GRC teams should use it.

Additional resources you might like:

Comparisons and reviews
Blog
The best ISO 27001 compliance software for 2026

Discover the best ISO 27001 compliance software options for 2026, including Vanta.

Compliance
Blog
How to handle risk management under growing regulatory pressure: Best practices in 2026

Learn how to align risk management and regulations to navigate the business landscape.

Compliance
Blog
What Is a risk register? Best practices for keeping It actionable

Learn what a risk register is and how modern GRC teams should use it.

Compliance
Blog
What is Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)? Everything you need to know

Explore modern enterprise risk management (ERM) and what makes it a strategic business discipline

GRC
Events
What is GRC Engineering? A fresh take on an old space

Join Lovable and Vanta for an exclusive virtual event on what modern GRC actually looks like when it is done right.

GRC
Blog
Building a risk taxonomy: A guide to classifying risks

Learn how to classify and prioritize risks using a structured risk taxonomy.

GRC
Blog
Understanding inherent risk vs residual risk—and why the gap matters

Learn about inherent and residual risk beyond definitions and see how they influence decisions.

Compliance
Events
Agentic compliance in action with Vanta and Claude

Register to learn how Vanta's MCP Server brings your compliance program directly into Claude.

GRC
Blog
How to write a risk appetite statement in 5 steps

A risk appetite statement isn’t useful unless it drives decisions. Learn how to create one with clear thresholds that help align action with your risk appetite.