The ISO 27701 Lead Auditor e-learning course is a self-paced online training delivered through MyPECB. The course prepares you to conduct internal and external PIMS audits by applying recognised audit principles, procedures and techniques.
You will learn how to assess conformity with ISO/IEC 27701:2025, collect and evaluate audit evidence, report audit findings and manage a PIMS audit program.
💻 100% online via MyPECB
⏱️ Duration: self-study at your own pace
📅 Start date: anytime
🗣️ Language: English
📝 Exam: official PECB ISO/IEC 27701 Lead Auditor exam included
🔁 Retake: one free retake within 12 months if you do not pass the first attempt
🎓 Course completion: attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits
📜 Credential: after passing the exam, you can apply for the applicable PECB ISO/IEC 27701 Auditor credential
What is included in the price?
The course fee includes access to the ISO 27701 Lead Auditor e-learning through MyPECB, more than 400 pages of official PECB training materials, video lessons, animations, practical examples, exercises and quizzes. The price also includes the first PECB ISO 27701 Lead Auditor exam attempt, the certification application fee and one free exam retake within 12 months if you do not pass the exam on your first attempt. After attending the training, you will receive an attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits.
Professional experience is not required to attend the training or take the exam. However, professional experience and PIMS audit or assessment experience are required when applying for certain PECB credentials.
Access, payment and invoicing
After completing your order, your MyPECB access will be arranged on the next working day. You can then follow the online lessons, review the digital training materials and complete the exercises and quizzes at your own pace. After completing the training, you can schedule your online PECB exam at a date and time that suits you through the PECB Exams platform.
The training can be purchased directly through the webshop and paid by Wero | iDEAL or credit card. After completing the order, an invoice or order confirmation will be sent by email. Organizations that wish to receive an invoice can order the training via the registration form.
👉 Start learning today and prepare for the official PECB ISO 27701 Lead Auditor exam.
About this ISO 27701 Lead Auditor e-learning course
This online course provides the knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct internal and external audits of a Privacy Information Management System based on ISO/IEC 27701:2025. You will learn how to perform PIMS audits in accordance with the audit principles and guidelines of ISO 19011, the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 and the requirements relating to PIMS certification audits in ISO/IEC 27706. The training covers the complete audit process, including audit preparation, stage 1 and stage 2 audits, evidence collection, communication, audit findings, nonconformity reports, closing meetings and the evaluation of corrective action plans. You will also learn how to audit the requirements in clauses 4 to 10 of ISO/IEC 27701:2025 and the privacy controls applicable to PII controllers and PII processors.
This training is based on ISO/IEC 27701:2025, the revised standalone management system standard for privacy information management. Organisations currently working with ISO/IEC 27701:2019 can read more about the transition and the latest developments in our article on the transition to ISO/IEC 27701:2025.
Why this training?
Organizations increasingly need to demonstrate that personal information is managed through effective processes, responsibilities and controls. A PIMS audit assesses whether the management system conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 27701 and whether it has been effectively implemented and maintained. The ISO 27701 Lead Auditor training enables you to approach these audits systematically. You will learn how to evaluate documented information, gather objective evidence, interview relevant personnel and determine whether privacy controls and management system processes are operating effectively. The course also addresses the competencies required to lead an audit team, communicate with the auditee and manage an internal or external PIMS audit program.
Organizations can have their Privacy Information Management System independently assessed through ISO/IEC 27701 certification.
What you will learn
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of a Privacy Information Management System
- Interpret the requirements of ISO/IEC 27701:2025 from the perspective of an auditor
- Understand the principles and stages of a PIMS certification process
- Apply the fundamental concepts and principles of auditing
- Evaluate the conformity of a PIMS with ISO/IEC 27701 requirements
- Plan and initiate an internal or external PIMS audit
- Prepare and conduct stage 1 and stage 2 audits
- Apply evidence-based and risk-based auditing methods
- Collect and analyse audit evidence
- Communicate effectively during an audit
- Audit the requirements in clauses 4 to 10 of ISO/IEC 27701
- Audit the privacy controls for PII controllers and PII processors
- Draft audit findings and nonconformity reports
- Conduct a closing meeting and close the audit
- Evaluate corrective action plans submitted by the auditee
- Manage an internal or external PIMS audit program
- Prepare for the PECB ISO/IEC 27701 Lead Auditor exam
Who should attend?
This training is suitable for:
- Auditors who want to perform or lead PIMS certification audits
- Internal auditors responsible for auditing privacy management processes
- Managers and consultants who want to understand the PIMS audit process
- Professionals responsible for maintaining conformity with ISO/IEC 27701 requirements
- Privacy officers and data protection professionals
- Technical experts preparing an organization for a PIMS audit
- Professionals involved in the protection and processing of personally identifiable information
- Members of certification or conformity assessment teams
- Professionals who want to manage an internal PIMS audit program
Interested in establishing and implementing a Privacy Information Management System rather than auditing one?
Learning Experience
This program is delivered entirely online through the PECB e-learning platform. After your MyPECB access has been activated, you will have access to:
- Video lessons delivered by experienced PECB trainers
- Animations and visual explanations
- Interactive quizzes and practice assignments
- Downloadable examples, exercises and supporting materials
- More than 400 pages of official PECB training materials
- Case studies, exercise files and correction keys, where available
- Editable course files, where available
- 24/7 access from a computer, tablet or smartphone
Your MyPECB access will be arranged on the next working day after your order has been completed.
The course is divided into clear sections covering the complete PIMS audit process. You can follow the lessons at your own pace and return to previous sections whenever necessary.
The quizzes, exercises and practical examples allow you to apply recognised audit principles, procedures and techniques to realistic audit situations. You will learn how to prepare and conduct stage 1 and stage 2 audits, collect and evaluate audit evidence, report findings and manage a PIMS audit program.
The training also prepares you for the official PECB ISO 27701 Lead Auditor exam.
Benefits of e-learning
- Learn flexibly at your own pace
- No travel time or fixed training schedule
- Access the course via computer, tablet or smartphone
- Revisit video lessons and training materials throughout the access period
- Test your knowledge with chapter-based quizzes and exercises
- Practise audit planning, evidence collection and reporting
- Study the complete PIMS audit process step by step
- Learn how to audit ISO/IEC 27701 clauses and privacy controls
- Schedule the online exam at a date and time that suits you
- Receive an attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits
Program, exam & certification
Course program
This ISO 27701 Lead Auditor e-learning focuses on planning, conducting, reporting on and managing audits of a Privacy Information Management System based on ISO/IEC 27701:2025.
The course covers:
- Training course objectives and structure
- Introduction to ISO/IEC 27701 and the Privacy Information Management System
- The PIMS certification process
- Fundamental concepts and principles of information privacy
- Overview of the ISO/IEC 27701 requirements
- Fundamental audit concepts and principles
- The impact of trends and technology on auditing
- Evidence-based auditing
- Risk-based auditing
- Initiation of the audit process
- Stage 1 audit
- Preparation for the stage 2 audit
- Stage 2 audit
- Communication during the audit
- Information collection and analysis methods
- Creating audit test plans
- Auditing clauses 4 to 10 of ISO/IEC 27701
- Auditing the Annex A controls for PII controllers and PII processors
- Drafting audit findings and nonconformity reports
- Audit documentation and quality review
- Closing the audit
- Evaluation of corrective action plans
- Activities following the initial audit
- Management of an internal audit program
- Closing of the training course
A Privacy Information Management System audit is a systematic and independent assessment of whether a PIMS conforms to defined requirements and has been effectively implemented and maintained.
The training addresses PIMS auditing in accordance with the guidelines of ISO 19011 and the relevant requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 27706.
Exam
After completing the training, you may take the official PECB ISO 27701 Lead Auditor exam online via PECB Exams.
The exam covers the following domains:
- Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of a Privacy Information Management System
- Domain 2: Privacy Information Management System requirements
- Domain 3: Fundamental audit concepts and principles
- Domain 4: Preparing an ISO/IEC 27701 audit
- Domain 5: Conducting an ISO/IEC 27701 audit
- Domain 6: Closing an ISO/IEC 27701 audit
- Domain 7: Managing an ISO/IEC 27701 audit program
The first exam attempt is included in the course fee.
If you do not pass the first attempt, you may retake the exam once free of charge within 12 months of completing the training, subject to the applicable PECB conditions.
The available exam formats, exam languages and scheduling options are shown in the PECB Exams platform.
Certificate and credential
After completing the training and passing the exam, you can apply for the applicable PECB ISO/IEC 27701 Auditor credential.
The final credential depends on your professional experience, privacy management experience, PIMS audit or assessment experience and the applicable PECB certification requirements.
Candidates who do not yet meet the experience requirements may apply for the PECB Certified ISO/IEC 27701 Provisional Auditor credential.
You will receive the credential once your application has been reviewed and approved by PECB.
FAQ
Is the ISO 27701 Lead Auditor exam included?
Yes. The first attempt at the official PECB ISO 27701 Lead Auditor exam is included in the course fee.
Is an exam retake included?
Yes. If you do not pass the first exam attempt, you are eligible for one free retake within 12 months of completing the training, subject to the applicable PECB conditions.
Do I need previous audit experience to attend the training?
No mandatory professional or audit experience is specified for attending the training or taking the exam. Professional experience and PIMS audit or assessment experience are required when applying for certain PECB credentials after passing the exam.
Will I automatically become a PECB Certified Lead Auditor after passing the exam?
No. Passing the exam is one of the requirements. The credential you can apply for depends on your professional experience, privacy management experience and PIMS audit or assessment experience.
What credential can I apply for without audit experience?
Candidates who pass the exam but do not yet meet the experience requirements may apply for the PECB Certified ISO/IEC 27701 Provisional Auditor credential.
When will I receive access to the training?
Your MyPECB access will normally be arranged on the next working day after your order and payment have been processed.
Can I follow the training at my own pace?
Yes. The course is delivered as a self-paced e-learning. You can follow the video lessons, study the materials and complete the exercises and quizzes at times that suit you.
How do I schedule the exam?
After completing the training, you can schedule the exam through the PECB Exams platform. You can select an available date and time that suits you.
What will I learn during the training?
You will learn how to prepare, conduct, report on and close internal and external PIMS audits. The course also covers audit evidence, audit findings, nonconformity reports and the management of a PIMS audit program.
Which auditing standards are covered?
The training addresses PIMS auditing in accordance with the guidelines of ISO 19011 and the relevant requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 27706.
Is this training based on ISO/IEC 27701:2025?
Yes. The training focuses on auditing a Privacy Information Management System based on ISO/IEC 27701:2025.
Is this personal certification the same as certification of an organization?
No. The PECB credential is a personal certification for an individual. Certification of an organization requires an independent certification audit of the organization’s Privacy Information Management System.