What is the purpose of document review in an internal audit?

The purpose of document review in an internal audit is to check for compliance with policies, procedures, and requirements. This involves examining the organization’s documented information to ensure that it adheres to established internal protocols, regulatory requirements, and standards such as ISO 27001. By thoroughly reviewing these documents, auditors can verify that controls are in place and functioning as intended, which contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Document review allows auditors to evaluate the adequacy of the documentation against the criteria set forth in an organization's policies and industry standards. It is a fundamental part of the internal audit process, as it lays the groundwork for understanding how the organization operates and whether it is meeting its compliance obligations. This in-depth analysis is critical in identifying potential gaps, risks, and areas for improvement within the management and processing of information.

Gathering employee opinions about policies focuses more on subjective feedback rather than objective compliance. Finalizing financial statements falls outside the scope of internal audits, which concentrate on the effectiveness of controls rather than financial reporting. Assessing auditor performance, while relevant in the context of audit quality, does not specifically relate to the primary purpose of document review in the auditing process.