Importance of Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Certification

The safety of their network and data is of utmost importance for large technology firms or any firm that heavily relies on a tech infrastructure. With increasing occurrences of cyber-attacks and data leakages, the importance of properly managing the system and network architecture is becoming more and more apparent. So, companies are looking for qualified professionals who can implement an audit strategy for their information systems based on risk management. They also consider planning audits to assess whether or not their IT assets are managed, protected, and valued appropriately.

Certified Information Systems Auditor or CISA is a designation defined by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). The CISA certification is the gold standard as well as the formal path for those who wish to craft a career in auditing, controlling, monitoring, and assessing an organization’s information technology and business systems. The best way to successfully clear the certification exam on your first go is to join a CISA Course that will provide you with in-depth knowledge about the tools and techniques used in the audit process. In this blog, we will look at the benefits of getting a CISA certification and how it will transform your career in the Cyber security domain. Scroll down to learn more.

Why get a CISA Certification?

A Certified Information Systems Auditor credential mentioned on your resume will give you an edge over other non-certified professionals as it is one of the most reputed security associations in the world. Recruiters will see that you are a qualified and acknowledged expert with tested and proven skills who strives to grow in the field. They will understand that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide efficient and experienced auditing services.

Moreover, mere academic degrees cannot match the level of confidence and mastery you will gain as a CISA-certified auditor. It also gives you the power to negotiate a higher salary or a consultation fee. As the CISA designation is also accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the verifications by ANSI ensure that the ISACA’s programs maintain a certain level of excellence.

Employment Options for CISA Auditors

CISA-certified professionals are in high demand among employers such as Big 4 organizations (KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PWC), Tier 1 investment banks (Citibank, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase), and several other industry leaders. In fact, any IT Internal Auditing/Compliance Department would require the service of CISA-certified IT auditors to ensure the safety of IT systems.

Additional Benefits of Passing the CISA Exam?

Below, I have listed the key benefits of passing the CISA exam:

• Global recognition as an IS audit professional
• Better recognition, pay, and quicker promotions
• Competitive advantage over your peers (non-CISA certified)
• An average 22% increase in potential pay
• 70% on-the-job performance improvement
• The average salary of CISA holders in the US is over 110K $
• More credibility for your ideas and works
• Confidence in dealing with stakeholders from a wide spectrum of fields.

Valuable Skills Taught in CISA Certification Courses

• Information systems auditing process
• Information systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
• Governance and Management of IT
• Protection of Information Assets
• Information systems operations and business resilience

The CISA exam: Overview

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Certification is one of the most highly in-demand audit professional certifications designed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) for those who wish to work in IT security, IT Risk, and IT Auditing. Aspiring professionals must first successfully clear the CISA Exam in order to obtain the CISA Certification.

CISA exam is a challenging 4-hour exam containing 200 multiple choice questions from four different practice areas. The questions contain different marks as per their difficulty levels. A candidate needs to receive a score of 450 or more to pass the CISA Exam. Thankfully, there is no penalty for wrong answers.

How to get CISA Certified?

To become a certified CISA expert, you will first need to pass the certifying examination. Learners need to possess a recognized undergraduate degree or a high school diploma. Additionally, they will need a minimum of five years of full-time professional work experience in two or more of the 8 domains specified by the CISSP – (ISC)² CBK 2021. In case an individual who has qualified has less than five years of experience, he or she will receive the (ISC)² associate title instead of the CISA title. However, there are ways by which you can waive off up to three years from the requisite experience if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• A two or four-year degree that can be substituted for the experience requirement; the degree must have been earned within 10 years prior to the exam. An associate’s degree can substitute for one year of experience, and a bachelor’s degree can waive off two years.
• One year of experience working as an Information Systems auditor.
• A master’s degree in Information Technology, Information Security, or the equivalent can count for one year of experience.
• Two years’ experience working as a university professor of computer science, accounting, or information systems auditing can substitute for one year of experience.

After meeting the experience criteria, you must agree to the ISACA code of professional ethics. Finally, you must subscribe to the periodic training offered by the continuing professional education (CPE) program. A CISA must pay her or his membership fees to the ISACA and complete at least 20 CPE hours of training annually.

Now that you know of the benefits of becoming a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and know the requirements and procedures to follow for the same, it is time to consider taking up a valid CISA Course to guarantee your qualification in the exam. Follow your dream career choice to become a CISA without any further delay.

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