Certified Information Systems Auditor 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The principle of professional independence is crucial for external auditors, as it ensures that their assessments and recommendations are unbiased, objective, and free from any conflicts of interest. When an external IS auditor recommends a specific vendor product while concurrently noting significant security vulnerabilities, such as a lack of firewall protection, it raises questions about their independence.

If an auditor endorses a particular product, it could suggest an underlying bias or a potential conflict of interest, especially if that product's shortcomings are not adequately addressed in the context of its recommendation. An auditor must maintain impartiality to provide trustworthy guidance, and any indication that they favor certain products over others—especially when there are notable security risks—could compromise their independent position. Thus, the violation pertains to their professional independence in the context of making informed and fair evaluations of the systems or products in question.

Maintaining a stance of professional independence is essential for the credibility of the audit process, ensuring that stakeholders can rely on the auditor's findings without doubt or concern regarding motivation behind recommendations.