What Is a Certifie𒆙d Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is the designation issued by the Information Systems Au🍷dit and Control Association (ISACA).

Candidates must pass a comprehensive exam, satisfy industry work experience requirements, undergo continuing education and professional development, and adhere to ISACA’s  and Information Systems Auditing Standards. Auditors must meet the global standard for professionals with a career in information systems in auditing, control, and security.

CISA Responsibilities

A CISA may review management practices, bu𝕴ild risk strategies, perform continuity planning, and monitor IT personnel. A CISA may draft and maintain IT policies, standards, or procedures.

Certified information systems auditors appraise a company's technology-related systems and assess a company's set-up for vulnerabilities. A CISA will implement an audit sౠtrategy and execute the ♚audit with the following steps:

• Evaluate a company's objectives, systems, and risks to understand its vulnerabilities and strengths.
• Deliver the audit results and make recommendations to management.
• Guide implementation and monitoring of security upgrades.
• Performing new tests to ensure management has followed through on control changes.

Exam Content

The CISA exam lasts four hours and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must meet specific requirements and pay an upfront fee. Exam registration must be completed online. Candidates must score 450 to pass and can sit for the exam in June, September, or December in testing centers worldwide. The exam is available in multiple languages, including Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean.

The testing center requires an acceptable form of ID anꩵd may limit the use of phones, smart watches, headphones, food/beverages, or visitors. The CISA exam tests candidates’ knowledge of five job practice domains:

1. The Process of Auditing Information Systems (18%). Tests planning and execution of risk assessments and audits.
2. Government and Management of IT (18%). Tests IT frameworks, enterprise architecture, laws and regulations, and quality assurance.
3. Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%). Tests business cases and feasibility analysis, design methodologies, configuration management, and system migrations.
4. Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience (26%). Tests information system operations, end-user computing, system resiliency, data back-up, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery plans.
5. Protection of Information Assets (26%). This domain focuses on 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:cybersecurity and tests security, controls, security event management, and physical access limits.

Work Experience Requirements

CISA candidates must have five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security. One year of general work experience can be substituted with one year of information systems or financial audit work experience. An optional education waiver is available for work experience and includes:

• 1-year waiver for an associate degree
• 2-year waiver for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in any field of study
• 3-year waiver for a master’s degree in Information Systems or a related field

Continuing Professional Education

To ensure professionals with the CISA designation keep their knowledge of information systems, auditing, and control updated, they undertake 20 hours of training per year and a minimum of 120 hours in three years. ISA😼CA charges an annual maintenance fee to renew the CISA certification. ISACA members pay $45, and nonmembers pay $85.

To earn these 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:continuing education credits, professionals can attend specific conferences, complete an ISACA Training Week course, perform online training certified by the ISACA, atte🐼nd specific tech education events, or complete on🎐-demand learning.

CISAs can also earn CPE for journal quizzes accessible to members only, volunteering with ISACA, volunteering with One in Tech, or attending certain ISACA activities or meetings. Each CISA manages and reports their CPE hours into their ISACA profile and navigates to the Certifications & CPE Management area.

Benefits of CISA Certification

• IT auditors are a niche market. The CISA certification demonstrates specialized, technical knowledge in a specific industry and the CISA license demonstrates proficiency in this niche area.
• Demand for credentialed IT auditors remains strong. As IT capabilities advance and companies shift to remote operations, there continues to be demand to ensure a company's technology infrastructure meets security and regulatory needs.
• CISAs stay relevant in an evolving industry. The CISA certification requires ongoing education; this CPE requirement means professionals must continue training on new technologies and modern types of risk.
• The certification may bring a higher salary or stronger job security. CISAs have demonstrated their knowledge and proficiency, commanding recognition for being strong leaders in their field. This may lead to raises, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:promotions, or long-term job stability.
• The certificate is transferrable and widely recognized. The CISA is broadly recognized, meaning many companies and industries recognize its merit.
• The exam provides insights into specialized fields. Though information system auditing is already specialized, candidates may realize they enjoy particular aspects of risk management and auditing more than others. This may lead to a greater understanding of career opportunities and career interests.
  

The Bottom Line

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certificate demonstrates an individual's knowledge of IT security and risk mitigation. CISA must have professional experience and pass a 150-question exam to demonstrate this knowledge.