The Integration of ISO Standards in the Development of the Corporate Integrity Program (CIP)

The Integration of ISO Standards in the Development of the Corporate Integrity Program (CIP)

Introduction

Within the Corporate Governance roadmap, we find the Corporate Integrity Program (CIP), a tool that complements and enhances the internal control framework of each organization. It creates an action and assurance path regarding the identification and management of unethical behaviors, such as deception, manipulation, fraud, and any other action that distorts the truth or seeks personal gain.

In this context, the inclusion of the word “integrity” is not accidental. Integrity goes far beyond honesty; it implies transparency in communication, fulfilling commitments, the willingness to admit and correct mistakes, and always acting in accordance with ethical principles and moral values. Integrity is the result of consistency between words and actions, as well as the commitment to do what is right, regardless of the circumstances.

Promoting integrity within an organization helps create an environment where trust, transparency, and mutual respect prevail, thereby minimizing the likelihood of unethical behavior. This not only protects the company’s reputation and assets but also strengthens employee loyalty and the trust of customers and partners.

ISO Standards provide a valuable contribution to validate that the efforts implemented by organizations in various fields are appropriate and sufficient to fulfill the purpose for which they were designed.

However, if we are truly committed to best practices and integrity within the organization, we must go beyond the total or partial implementation of these standards, as they are merely evaluation criteria and do not guarantee that it is the most efficient way to address the issue at hand.

In the specific case of Corporate Integrity, the partial implementation of some ISO Standards may result in the establishment of certain actions that only address partial aspects of ethics and, therefore, are insufficient for the organization’s higher purpose, which is ensuring integrity in all its actions. In the long term, this may result in duplicated efforts and demotivation due to a lack of results.

ISO Standards and Corporate Integrity

While ISO standards are constantly evolving and new ones are added, it is worth mentioning that the Corporate Integrity Program (CIP) developed by SHOGUN is based on the general principles of all ISO Standards. Therefore, it provides an adequate and sufficient framework for any ISO Standard that seeks to strengthen Corporate Integrity compliance in your organization.

Learn about the ISO Standards that have been integrated into the SHOGUN Corporate Integrity Program (CIP) to date, which were used in its formulation:

• ISO 37001 - Anti-bribery Management System
• ISO 37002 - Whistleblowing Management Systems
• ISO 37003 - Fraud Control Management System
• ISO 37008 - Standard for Internal Investigations

Strengthen corporate governance through the development and implementation of the SHOGUN Corporate Integrity Program (CIP), which adapts to the needs and requirements of your organization. If you wish to implement one or more ISO Standards in your organization, we can include them in the PIC.

Author: Guillermo Casal
International consultant and trainer in fraud prevention and investigation and anti-money laundering. He is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Master's degree in Economics and Administration, and has six international certifications, including the CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).