Prerequisites
Entry requirements depend on the course and level. Review the course-specific requirements and prior knowledge listed below.
PROFESSIONAL COURSE · Courses, Security
Cognicert ISO 18788 Lead Auditor Course
Plan and conduct audits of security operations management, evaluate evidence and follow up findings on operational risks, responsibilities and control evidence.
- Practical, standards-based professional learning
- Assessment and verifiable Cognicert certification
- Flexible online, self-study and organisational delivery
Is this the right course for you?
What you will work on
- Understand to audit each and every ISO 18788:2015 requirements
- Learn fundamental auditing skills;
- Implement methods to comply with the ISO 18788:2015
Who this course is for
- Persons responsible for conducting internal audits according to ISO 18788:2015 requirements
- Persons involved in the ISO 18788:2015 certification audit process
Assessment and award requirements
Audit processes and criteria
Identification of Non-Conformities [N/C’s].
Documenting the Audit (Audit Report)
Conducting Audit Follow-Up
Practical Auditing Exercise
Competence and Evaluation of Auditors.
Creating a Corrective Action Plan
What is Root Cause Analysis?
When (and when not) to use Root Cause Analysis
The Root Cause Analysis Process
How to construct a Root Cause Analysis Checklist
Examples of how a well-run Root Cause Analysis Process works
Corrective and Preventive Actions
Duration: 5 days
Entry, exam and access at a glance
Exam and resits
100 questions in one hour. Pass mark: 70%. Your payment includes two exam attempts. A third or later attempt costs £100 per resit.
Platform-wide pass rate: 87% across all examined trainees, based on Cognicert’s exam-platform results. This is not a course-specific pass rate or a guarantee of an individual result.
Self-study access
Lifetime access for the enrolled learner. Access is personal and cannot be shared.
Overview+
Plan and conduct audits of security operations management, evaluate evidence and follow up findings on operational risks, responsibilities and control evidence.
Work through operational risks, responsibilities and control evidence and connect them to the responsibilities of your audit or assessment role. The detailed programme explains the methods and activities covered.
Objectives+
The “ISO 18788:2015 Lead Auditor” course provides comprehensive training for participants to be able to:
- Understand to audit each and every ISO 18788:2015 requirements
- Learn fundamental auditing skills;
- Implement methods to comply with the ISO 18788:2015
- Audit process and techniques
- Improve Auditor’s skills and techniques
- Examine the requirements of ISO 18788 from an Auditor Perspective
- Write Audit reports process and follow up corrective actions
- Plan, Lead, Conduct and report an ISO 18788 audit;
- Effectively verify root cause analysis as part of the ISO 18788 Management procedure on corrective action
Benefits+
of ISO 18788:2015
Types of Audits
Why Audits are needed
Introduction to the Requirements of the ISO 18788:2015 Standard
Interpretations of Key Terms
Elements of a Management System
The ISO 18788:2015 Standard
Continual Improvement Cycle
Management Process Model
Management System Requirements
The Documentation Requirements of ISO 18788:2015
Management Responsibility
Resource Management
Measurement, Analysis and Improvement
The Process Management Approach
Process Management Approach
The Planning Phase
Establish Process Measurements
Analyze the Process
Design or Redesign the Process
Process Mapping
Introduction to Document Control
Elements of Documents
Process Approach to Documentation
Identifying Documents and their Owners
Types of Documents
Master Document List
Document Control
Revisions and Maintenance
Tips for Document Writers
Introduction to Management Review
Making Management Review relevant to Management
What will be reviewed?
Establishing the Objectives
Planning the Management Review
Output of Management Review
ISO 17021:2015
Fundamentals of Auditing
Decide how to Audit
Principles of Auditing
Managing an Audit Program
Preparation & Planning Of Audits
Preparation Of checklist
ISO 17021:2015 and ISO 18788:2015
Audit Activities
ISO 17021:2015 Audit Process
Audience+
- Persons responsible for conducting internal audits according to ISO 18788:2015 requirements
- Persons involved in the ISO 18788:2015 certification audit process
Delivery+
- Case Study
- Individual Exercises
- Role Play
- Group Exercises
- Group Presentation
- Examination
Certificate+
Audit processes and criteria
Identification of Non-Conformities [N/C’s].
Documenting the Audit (Audit Report)
Conducting Audit Follow-Up
Practical Auditing Exercise
Competence and Evaluation of Auditors.
Creating a Corrective Action Plan
What is Root Cause Analysis?
When (and when not) to use Root Cause Analysis
The Root Cause Analysis Process
How to construct a Root Cause Analysis Checklist
Examples of how a well-run Root Cause Analysis Process works
Corrective and Preventive Actions
Duration: 5 days
ONE STANDARD · FIVE LEARNING LEVELS
Choose your ISO 18788 course
Compare the focus and training duration of each level. Choose the level that fits your responsibilities; you do not need to book every level in sequence.
View the complete ISO 18788 training pathwayISO 18788 Awareness
People who need an introduction to the standard and their role in supporting it.
Self-study: £75On demand · study at your own pace
Live online: £2009–13 November 2026
ISO 18788 Foundation
People building a working understanding of the standard before taking on implementation or audit responsibilities.
Self-study: £150On demand · study at your own pace
Live online: £5009–13 November 2026
ISO 18788 Internal Auditor
People preparing to plan and carry out internal audits within their organisation.
Self-study: £250On demand · study at your own pace
Live online: £7509–13 November 2026
ISO 18788 Lead Auditor
Auditors and professionals preparing to lead an audit team or manage a complete audit programme.
Self-study: £600On demand · study at your own pace
Live online: £1,5509–13 November 2026 · includes late fee
ISO 18788 Lead Implementer
Managers, consultants and professionals responsible for establishing, maintaining or improving a system.
Contact Cognicert for this level’s syllabus and availability.
Enquire about Lead ImplementerChoose a level and study mode to enrol directly; no preliminary enquiry is needed for an available booking. Your existing basket confirms the date, price, applicable VAT and final total before secure Stripe payment. Invoice requests remain available.
Durations refer to the training programme. Course details explain entry requirements, assessment and the award for successful candidates. Training does not certify your organisation. Self-study access or live-course joining instructions follow payment and any applicable eligibility checks. Read refund and transfer conditions.
Refunds, cancellations and transfers
Refund and transfer choices depend on the course format, how much notice you give and whether digital content has been accessed. Contact learner care early and we will help you identify the best available option.
Read the complete refund, cancellation and transfer policy →UPCOMING COURSE CALENDAR
Training, exam and application dates
Prices are per learner before any applicable UK VAT. A live-online intake costs more after its standard deadline because the published late fee is added. Self-study is priced separately and has no late-intake fee.
| TRAINING DATES | EXAM | DEADLINE & STATUS | LIVE ONLINE | SELF-STUDY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9–13 November 2026 | 13 November 2026 | Late booking period Standard deadline passed. £50 late fee applies until 21 October 2026. Places are confirmed at booking, not guaranteed by this calendar. | £1,550 £1,500 course fee + £50 late fee Choose this intake | £600 On-demand study; next exam shown at checkout. |
VERIFIABLE ACHIEVEMENT
Check your Cognicert certificate
Successful candidates receive a uniquely numbered Cognicert certificate that another person can check through our public certificate-verification service. This confirms the authenticity of a Cognicert-issued award; acceptance by an employer, regulator or external professional scheme depends on their requirements.
View certificate verification →YOUR COURSE ADVISER
info@cognicert.com
Need help before enrolling?
Lisa Williams
Course and Business Development Adviser
Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00 UK time
info@cognicert.com
Self-study from £600per learner · excl. applicable VATEnrol self-study
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