Which of the following phases of audit planning assures that operational and business changes have been captured as part of the audit plan?

The phase of audit planning that ensures operational and business changes are incorporated into the audit plan is defining the audit scope. During this stage, auditors assess the environment and context in which the audit will take place, including any recent changes in operations or business processes.

By thoroughly defining the audit scope, auditors determine which aspects of the organization are relevant and impacted by these changes. This information is critical to ensure that the audit objectives are met and that the audit focuses on areas that have undergone significant modifications. By including recent developments, the audit remains relevant and effective, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive evaluation of the organization's adherence to security and compliance standards.

In contrast, defining the audit objectives outlines the specific aims of the audit but does not necessarily take operational changes into account. Refining the audit process focuses on improving the methodology and procedures used in conducting the audit, while conducting the audit is the implementation phase where the actual evaluation occurs, but it presupposes that the scope has been adequately defined.