Professional Track
Professional Track
ISO/IEC 27701 Auditor
Develop the skills to plan, conduct and evaluate audits against ISO/IEC 27701 in real organisational contexts.
Auditor
Data Protection
ISO/IEC 27701
Auditing privacy management beyond legal documentation
Auditing privacy management beyond legal documentation
By focusing on governance, risk treatment and operational evidence, this track builds the capability to assess whether a Privacy Information Management System is effective, consistent and sustainable.
By focusing on governance, risk treatment and operational evidence, this track builds the capability to assess whether a Privacy Information Management System is effective, consistent and sustainable.
By focusing on governance, risk treatment and operational evidence, this track builds the capability to assess whether a Privacy Information Management System is effective, consistent and sustainable.
Overview
The ISO/IEC 27701 Auditor Track is designed for professionals who audit Privacy Information Management Systems in organisations acting as controllers and/or processors. Rather than treating privacy audits as a review of policies or legal documentation, the programme focuses on evaluating how privacy requirements are governed, implemented and monitored in practice.
The track addresses privacy auditing as part of an integrated management system landscape. Participants learn how to assess accountability structures, risk-based privacy controls and operational processes across the personal data lifecycle, and how to evaluate the interaction between privacy management, information security and organisational governance.
The programme combines cross-standard auditing modules with privacy-specific content aligned with ISO/IEC 27701. Most modules are shared with other Halderstone auditor tracks, enabling efficient expansion into related standards such as ISO/IEC 27001. Context-specific modules support specialisation for internal audits, supplier audits or certification audits. A final assessment consolidates the learning in a realistic PIMS audit scenario.
The ISO/IEC 27701 Auditor Track is designed for professionals who audit Privacy Information Management Systems in organisations acting as controllers and/or processors. Rather than treating privacy audits as a review of policies or legal documentation, the programme focuses on evaluating how privacy requirements are governed, implemented and monitored in practice.
The track addresses privacy auditing as part of an integrated management system landscape. Participants learn how to assess accountability structures, risk-based privacy controls and operational processes across the personal data lifecycle, and how to evaluate the interaction between privacy management, information security and organisational governance.
The programme combines cross-standard auditing modules with privacy-specific content aligned with ISO/IEC 27701. Most modules are shared with other Halderstone auditor tracks, enabling efficient expansion into related standards such as ISO/IEC 27001. Context-specific modules support specialisation for internal audits, supplier audits or certification audits. A final assessment consolidates the learning in a realistic PIMS audit scenario.
Learning outcomes
Explain the purpose and principles of auditing a Privacy Information Management System.
Plan and prepare ISO/IEC 27701 audits based on organisational context and privacy risks.
Audit governance, roles and accountability structures for data protection.
Evaluate privacy risk assessment and risk treatment approaches.
Assess operational privacy controls across the personal data lifecycle.
Audit processor management and third-party data processing arrangements.
Review incident handling and data subject rights processes.
Identify and classify nonconformities and opportunities for improvement.
Write clear, factual and actionable audit findings.
Verify corrective actions and assess their effectiveness.
Contribute to continual improvement of privacy management through audit insights.
Explain the purpose and principles of auditing a Privacy Information Management System.
Plan and prepare ISO/IEC 27701 audits based on organisational context and privacy risks.
Audit governance, roles and accountability structures for data protection.
Evaluate privacy risk assessment and risk treatment approaches.
Assess operational privacy controls across the personal data lifecycle.
Audit processor management and third-party data processing arrangements.
Review incident handling and data subject rights processes.
Identify and classify nonconformities and opportunities for improvement.
Write clear, factual and actionable audit findings.
Verify corrective actions and assess their effectiveness.
Contribute to continual improvement of privacy management through audit insights.
Modular architecture
Two credentials with one track
Halderstone Professional Certificate in Management System Auditing
The Halderstone Professional Diploma in Management Systems Auditing certifies a strong, cross-standard foundation in management system auditing. It focuses on audit principles, methods and judgement that apply consistently across standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301 and ISO/IEC 42001.
The diploma demonstrates that you can plan and conduct audits, gather and evaluate objective evidence, assess system effectiveness and formulate clear, defensible audit conclusions. It confirms your ability to audit management systems beyond checklists, with a focus on risk, performance and continual improvement.
This core diploma is shared across all Halderstone Auditor tracks and provides the foundation for adding additional audit specialisations with minimal additional effort.
The Halderstone Professional Diploma in Management Systems Auditing certifies a strong, cross-standard foundation in management system auditing. It focuses on audit principles, methods and judgement that apply consistently across standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22301 and ISO/IEC 42001.
The diploma demonstrates that you can plan and conduct audits, gather and evaluate objective evidence, assess system effectiveness and formulate clear, defensible audit conclusions. It confirms your ability to audit management systems beyond checklists, with a focus on risk, performance and continual improvement.
This core diploma is shared across all Halderstone Auditor tracks and provides the foundation for adding additional audit specialisations with minimal additional effort.
Halderstone Specialist Certificate in ISO/IEC 27701 Auditing
The ISO/IEC 27701 auditing specialisation focuses on applying general auditing principles to the specific requirements of Privacy Information Management Systems. It addresses how privacy audits assess accountability, governance and operational control rather than the wording of policies or legal notices.
The specialisation emphasises auditing privacy risk management, lifecycle controls for personal data, and the interaction between privacy management and information security. It also covers assessing processor management, incident handling and the practical implementation of privacy obligations across organisational processes. The focus is on evidence-based audits that evaluate whether privacy management is consistently applied and sustainable in practice, across internal, supplier and certification audit contexts.
The ISO/IEC 27701 auditing specialisation focuses on applying general auditing principles to the specific requirements of Privacy Information Management Systems. It addresses how privacy audits assess accountability, governance and operational control rather than the wording of policies or legal notices.
The specialisation emphasises auditing privacy risk management, lifecycle controls for personal data, and the interaction between privacy management and information security. It also covers assessing processor management, incident handling and the practical implementation of privacy obligations across organisational processes. The focus is on evidence-based audits that evaluate whether privacy management is consistently applied and sustainable in practice, across internal, supplier and certification audit contexts.
Modular architecture
Module recognition across tracks
Previously completed modules are recognized, avoiding duplication when pursuing additional Halderstone tracks.
Core Modules
Specialization Modules
Capstone Project
Final Exam
Core Modules
Specialization Modules
Capstone Project
Final Exam
Core Modules
Specialization Modules
Capstone Project
Final Exam
Most modules in this track are shared with other Halderstone auditor tracks, in particular ISO/IEC 27001 Auditor. This makes it possible to build combined information security and privacy audit qualifications efficiently, without repeating core auditing modules.
For example, completing the ISO/IEC 27701 Auditor Track brings you close to qualifying as an ISO/IEC 27001 Auditor, or vice versa. The additional effort is typically 1–2 modules, depending on whether you extend toward information security, quality or business continuity auditing.
Track composition
Track composition
Track composition
Full curriculum
Core modules
Shared foundations common to all tracks
System Foundations
Understand organisational context, stakeholders, and system boundaries
7 h
System Foundations
Understand organisational context, stakeholders, and system boundaries
7 h
System Foundations
Understand organisational context, stakeholders, and system boundaries
7 h
Risk Management Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
7 h
Risk Management Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
7 h
Risk Management Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
7 h
Objectives & Performance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of objective setting, KPI definition, and KPI governance for management systems
7 h
Objectives & Performance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of objective setting, KPI definition, and KPI governance for management systems
7 h
Objectives & Performance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of objective setting, KPI definition, and KPI governance for management systems
7 h
Management Review Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of planning, conducting, and documenting management reviews using integrated inputs and decision-focused outputs
7 h
Management Review Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of planning, conducting, and documenting management reviews using integrated inputs and decision-focused outputs
7 h
Management Review Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of planning, conducting, and documenting management reviews using integrated inputs and decision-focused outputs
7 h
Improvement Management
Understand corrective actions, root cause analysis, action tracking, and effectiveness verification in management systems
7 h
Improvement Management
Understand corrective actions, root cause analysis, action tracking, and effectiveness verification in management systems
7 h
Improvement Management
Understand corrective actions, root cause analysis, action tracking, and effectiveness verification in management systems
7 h
Audit Foundations
Core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design.
7 h
Audit Foundations
Core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design.
7 h
Audit Foundations
Core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design.
7 h
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
7 h
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
7 h
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure.
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure.
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure.
7 h
Audit Programme Management
Understand audit programme governance, risk-informed audit portfolios, supplier audit integration, resourcing, and programme-level reporting
7 h
Audit Programme Management
Understand audit programme governance, risk-informed audit portfolios, supplier audit integration, resourcing, and programme-level reporting
7 h
Audit Programme Management
Understand audit programme governance, risk-informed audit portfolios, supplier audit integration, resourcing, and programme-level reporting
7 h
Supplier Audit Execution
Plan and conduct supplier audits using contract-based criteria, evidence targets, and disciplined audit documentation.
7 h
Supplier Audit Execution
Plan and conduct supplier audits using contract-based criteria, evidence targets, and disciplined audit documentation.
7 h
Supplier Audit Execution
Plan and conduct supplier audits using contract-based criteria, evidence targets, and disciplined audit documentation.
7 h
Third-party Auditing Context
Understand the accreditation–certification ecosystem, certification audit lifecycle, impartiality boundaries, and decision interfaces.
7 h
Third-party Auditing Context
Understand the accreditation–certification ecosystem, certification audit lifecycle, impartiality boundaries, and decision interfaces.
7 h
Third-party Auditing Context
Understand the accreditation–certification ecosystem, certification audit lifecycle, impartiality boundaries, and decision interfaces.
7 h
Specialization modules
Role-specific modules that deepen your expertise in ISO/IEC 27701 Auditing
Data Protection Fundamentals
A helicopter view of privacy roles, obligations, and mechanisms in organisations
7 h
Data Protection Fundamentals
A helicopter view of privacy roles, obligations, and mechanisms in organisations
7 h
Data Protection Fundamentals
A helicopter view of privacy roles, obligations, and mechanisms in organisations
7 h
PII Processing Context, Roles & Scope
Understand PII processing context, controller/processor roles, and practical PIMS scope boundaries under ISO/IEC 27701:2025
7 h
PII Processing Context, Roles & Scope
Understand PII processing context, controller/processor roles, and practical PIMS scope boundaries under ISO/IEC 27701:2025
7 h
PII Processing Context, Roles & Scope
Understand PII processing context, controller/processor roles, and practical PIMS scope boundaries under ISO/IEC 27701:2025
7 h
Privacy Risk & Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Understand privacy risk assessment, impact reasoning, and DPIA documentation within an ISO/IEC 27701:2025 PIMS
7 h
Privacy Risk & Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Understand privacy risk assessment, impact reasoning, and DPIA documentation within an ISO/IEC 27701:2025 PIMS
7 h
Privacy Risk & Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Understand privacy risk assessment, impact reasoning, and DPIA documentation within an ISO/IEC 27701:2025 PIMS
7 h
Operational Privacy Controls
Understand role-based operational privacy controls and data subject rights handling within an ISO/IEC 27701:2025 PIMS
7 h
Operational Privacy Controls
Understand role-based operational privacy controls and data subject rights handling within an ISO/IEC 27701:2025 PIMS
7 h
Operational Privacy Controls
Understand role-based operational privacy controls and data subject rights handling within an ISO/IEC 27701:2025 PIMS
7 h
Capstone project and final exam
Practical and theoretical demonstration of your acquired competence in ISO/IEC 27701 Auditing
The track concludes with a combined assessment:
a written exam covering the essential principles of management system auditing and privacy management, and
a practical audit case in which participants plan, conduct and report an audit of a Privacy Information Management System for a defined audit scenario.
The audit case includes assessing privacy governance and accountability, evaluating privacy risk management and lifecycle controls, reviewing processor management and incident handling, and formulating clear, evidence-based audit findings. The assessment focuses on evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of privacy management rather than reviewing policy wording or legal interpretations.
Continuous learning
Other tracks
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.