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Governance, Risk, Audit & Privacy · Intermediate

Surveillance Audit

Periodic audit by a certification body between certification and recertification to confirm ongoing conformity.

Definition

Surveillance audits occur at least annually during a three-year ISO certification cycle and sample parts of the management system, always including key elements such as internal audits, management review, and corrective actions. Major nonconformities can lead to suspension.

Example

In year two, the auditor samples supplier security and access control along with internal audit records.

Exam tip

Surveillance audits are partial; recertification audits are full.

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