4Auditee guide · Logistics & responsible sourcing

ISO 28000Security management, explained for the people doing the work.

See what the standard covers, gather supporting records and prepare for your next assessment.

By 4AuditeeManagement-system certificationReferences checked 26 September 2026

What does ISO 28000 cover?

ISO 28000 provides a management-system approach to security risks. It can cover threats affecting goods, services, information and resources, with scope determined by the organization’s activities and dependencies.

Who it is for

Organizations managing security risks in operations and supply chains.

Key areas to understand

Start with these areas. Identify which requirements apply to your activities and who is responsible for them.

  1. 1Identify security threats and assess exposure.
  2. 2Establish controls for relevant facilities and handovers.
  3. 3Prepare for incidents and evaluate response effectiveness.

Evidence to prepare

This list is a starting point. Check the standard for all required documents. For each item, record who is responsible, the activity or site it relates to, and a recent example showing how it works.

  • Security scope and risk assessment
  • Access and custody-control records
  • Supplier and contractor assessments
  • Incident and exercise records
  • Control reviews and improvement actions

Keep records that explain what was checked, which requirement was used and who checked it. Include any action taken when a requirement was not met. Link each record to the work it supports.

An internal audit example

Suggested checks from 4Auditee

Follow a shipment or sensitive asset through a custody handover. Check identification, authorization and exception handling. Use an example of damaged seals, missing records or unexpected access to test how the team would investigate and escalate.

Choose a sample that suits your activities and risks. If you find a gap, record the requirement, the evidence and what was missing. Check more examples if the first results suggest a wider problem.

A common problem to check

A secure perimeter does not cover all supply-chain risks. Include outsourced handling and the points where responsibility changes.

Prepare for assessment

The assessment type for this guide is management-system certification. Confirm the requirements, what will be assessed and how the assessment will work with the responsible body or customer. These steps help you prepare. You must also follow the scheme’s official rules.

  1. Define what is covered. List the products, services, activities and sites. Record the standard edition, additional scheme rules and customer requirements.
  2. Find what is missing. Compare the requirements with current work. Prioritise gaps by risk. Assign someone responsible and a completion date.
  3. Keep records of everyday work. Check a sample of actual records and speak with the people involved. Make sure they understand their responsibilities.
  4. Check the results. Complete internal reviews and audits. Check that corrective actions worked before closing problems.

From one site to many

Make it easy to find who is responsible at each site. Keep company policies separate from records of local work. Link each site’s records to its activities, risks and requirements so you can spot gaps at individual sites.

Sites that share a management system do not automatically qualify for one certificate or assessment. Confirm which sites can be included and how they will be checked with the assessment body.

About this guide and its sources

4Auditee wrote this guide using the public source below. The evidence list, audit example and preparation steps are our suggestions. Read the official standard and scheme rules for the full requirements. This guide does not include the standard’s full text or provide certification.

DNV: ISO 28000 reference information

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