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Security Operations · Lead Auditor

ISO 18788 Lead Auditor

Security Operations Management System

Level
Lead Auditor
Duration
5 days
Exam
Confirmed on request
Language
EN
Format
Self-Study
CPD credits
31
Certification
PECB exam and certificate

Course facts from PECB Training Course Catalog 2026; pecb.com course page.

Why should you attend?

The ISO 18788 Lead Auditor training enables you to develop the necessary expertise to perform a Security Operations Management System (SOMS) audit by applying widely recognized audit principles, procedures and techniques. During this training course, you will acquire the knowledge and skills to plan and carry out internal and external audits in compliance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021-1 certification process.

Based on practical exercises, you will be able to master audit techniques and become competent to manage an audit program, audit team, communication with customers, and conflict resolution.

After acquiring the necessary expertise to perform this audit, you can sit for the exam and apply for a “PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor” credential. By holding a PECB Lead Auditor Certificate, you will demonstrate that you have the capabilities and competencies to audit organizations based on best practices.

Who should attend?

  • Auditors seeking to perform and lead Security Operations Management System (SOMS) certification audits
  • Managers or consultants seeking to master a Security Operations Management System audit process
  • Individuals responsible for maintaining conformance with SOMS requirements
  • Technical experts seeking to prepare for a Security Operations Management System audit
  • Expert advisors in a Security Operations Management

Learning objectives

  • Understand the operations of Security Operations Management Systems (SOMS) based on ISO 18788
  • Acknowledge the correlation between ISO 18788 and other standards and regulatory frameworks
  • Understand an auditor’s role in planning, leading and following-up on a management system audit in accordance with ISO 19011
  • Learn how to interpret the requirements of ISO 18788 in the context of a SOMS audit

Educational approach

  • This training is based on both theory and best practices used in SOMS audits
  • Lecture sessions are illustrated with practical questions and examples
  • Practical exercises include examples and discussions
  • Practice tests are similar to the Certification Exam

Prerequisites

A fundamental understanding of ISO 18788 and comprehensive knowledge of audit principles.

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

Examination

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

For specific information about exam type, languages available, and other details, please visit the List of PECB Exams and the Examination Rules and Policies.

Certification

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:

CredentialExamProfessional experienceMS audit/assessment experienceOther requirements
PECB Certified ISO 18788 Provisional AuditorPECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalentNoneNoneSigning the PECB Code of Ethics
PECB Certified ISO 18788 AuditorPECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalentTwo years: One year of work experience in Security Operations ManagementAudit activities: a total of 200 hoursSigning the PECB Code of Ethics
PECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead AuditorPECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalentFive years: Two years of work experience in Security Operations ManagementAudit activities: a total of 300 hoursSigning the PECB Code of Ethics
PECB Certified ISO 18788 Senior Lead AuditorPECB Certified ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Exam or equivalentTen years: Seven years of work experience in Security Operations ManagementAudit activities: a total of 1,000 hoursSigning the PECB Code of Ethics

To be considered valid, these audits should follow best audit practices and include the following activities:

  • Audit planning
  • Audit interview
  • Managing an audit program
  • Drafting audit reports
  • Drafting nonconformity reports
  • Drafting audit working documents
  • Documentation review
  • On-site audit
  • Follow-up on nonconformities
  • Leading an audit team

General information

  • Certification and examination fees are included in the price of the training course
  • Training material containing over 450 pages of information and practical examples will be distributed
  • An attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits will be issued to the participants who have attended the training course.
  • In case of exam failure, you can retake the exam within 12 months free of charge

The text above is the publisher's own course description, reproduced verbatim from pecb.com course page (retrieved 2026-10-02). PECB is a registered trade-mark of PECB Group Inc. and is used under license.

After you buy

  1. Order confirmedYou receive a receipt from Stripe and a note from Valment with what happens next.
  2. Course assignedValment assigns the course to your PECB account through the partner dashboard. The participant needs a PECB account before you pay; creating one is free at pecb.com.
  3. Materials and platformFor self-study and eLearning the training material is in the myPECB dashboard once the course is assigned — slides and exercises, or the video lessons and the eLearning platform.
  4. Exam and certificateThe PECB exam is included. You schedule it when you are ready and sit it online, supervised by PECB; on passing, you apply for the certificate at no additional cost.

PECB is a registered trade-mark of PECB Group Inc. and is used under license.

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