Table of Contents
- What Is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?
- Key Takeaways
- CISA Responsibilities
- Important Note on Exam Costs
- Exam Content
- Work Experience Requirements
- Continuing Professional Education
- Average Salary
- Benefits of CISA Certification
- How Many CISA Professionals Exist?
- How Long Does It Take to Become a Certified Information Systems Auditor?
- What Does a Certified Information Systems Auditor Do?
- The Bottom Line
What Is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?
Let me explain what a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) really is. It's the designation you get from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).
If you're aiming for this, you have to pass a tough exam, meet work experience requirements, keep up with continuing education and professional development, and stick to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics and Information Systems Auditing Standards. This sets the global standard for anyone building a career in information systems auditing, control, and security.
Key Takeaways
Here's what you need to know right away: The CISA designation comes from ISACA. It's the worldwide benchmark for pros in IT auditing, control, and security. To get and keep it, you need five years of experience and 20 hours of training each year.
CISA Responsibilities
As a CISA, you might review management practices, develop risk strategies, handle continuity planning, and oversee IT personnel. You could also draft and maintain IT policies, standards, or procedures.
You appraise a company's tech systems and check for vulnerabilities. You'll implement an audit strategy and follow these steps: Evaluate objectives, systems, and risks to spot weaknesses and strengths. Deliver results and recommendations to management. Guide the implementation and monitoring of security upgrades. Then perform new tests to confirm that control changes have been followed through.
Important Note on Exam Costs
Keep in mind, the CISA exam costs $575 if you're an ISACA member, or $760 if you're not.
Exam Content
The exam itself lasts four hours with 150 multiple-choice questions. You need to meet requirements, pay the fee upfront, and register online. To pass, score at least 450. It's offered in June, September, or December at testing centers worldwide, and available in languages like Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean.
At the center, bring acceptable ID, and note restrictions on phones, smart watches, headphones, food, beverages, or visitors. The exam covers five domains: The Process of Auditing Information Systems (18%), which tests planning and executing risk assessments and audits. Governance and Management of IT (18%), covering frameworks, architecture, laws, regulations, and quality assurance. Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%), including business cases, feasibility, design methodologies, configuration management, and system migrations. Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience (26%), on operations, end-user computing, resiliency, data backup, continuity planning, and disaster recovery. Protection of Information Assets (26%), focusing on cybersecurity, controls, event management, and physical access limits.
Work Experience Requirements
You must have five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security. You can substitute one year of general experience with a year in information systems or financial auditing. There's also an education waiver: one year for an associate degree, two years for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in any field, or three years for a master’s in Information Systems or related.
Continuing Professional Education
To keep your knowledge current, complete 20 hours of training per year and at least 120 hours over three years. ISACA charges a maintenance fee: $45 for members, $85 for nonmembers.
Earn credits by attending conferences, ISACA Training Week courses, certified online training, tech events, or on-demand learning. You can also get CPE through member-only journal quizzes, volunteering with ISACA or One in Tech, or attending ISACA activities. Manage and report your hours in your ISACA profile under Certifications & CPE Management.
Average Salary
As of 2023, the average salary for a CISA holder is over $145,000.
Benefits of CISA Certification
IT auditing is a niche field, and CISA shows you have specialized technical knowledge. It proves proficiency in this area. Demand for certified IT auditors is strong, especially as IT advances and remote work grows, ensuring tech infrastructure meets security and regulatory needs.
You stay relevant with ongoing education on new technologies and risks. This can lead to higher salaries, promotions, or better job security. The certification is transferable and widely recognized across companies and industries. Preparing for the exam might help you discover interests in specific areas of risk management and auditing, opening up career opportunities.
How Many CISA Professionals Exist?
From the 2022 survey, there are over 151,000 CISA-certified professionals.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Certified Information Systems Auditor?
The standard timeline is five years due to the experience requirement, but you can apply for educational waivers to shorten it.
What Does a Certified Information Systems Auditor Do?
You oversee, manage, and protect a company's information systems, IT, or related departments. This includes auditing processes and products, applying risk mitigation to prevent breaches, and collaborating with other departments to meet tech needs without compromising security.
The Bottom Line
The CISA certificate shows your knowledge of IT security and risk mitigation. You need professional experience and to pass a 150-question exam to earn it.
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