Cyber Degrees Education - Certified Information Systems Auditor

Certified Information Systems Auditor, or CISA, is one of the most recognized designations for information systems professionals. The certification is designed to help IS and IT auditors and other information security professionals advance their careers. This certification signifies experience and competence within the realm of IS auditing, and as such, candidates must meet specific experience criteria to sit for the exam.

Information systems pros just graduating from a program must first gain hands-on auditing experience before they can realistically pursue the CISA credential. Here, we'll go over what IS pros need to know about becoming CISA-certified from requirements to the exam, ethics code, and more. Read on to see what it takes, how much it costs, and why you might want to pursue this path.

Why Earn the CISA Certificate?

This certification is an internationally recognized designation that meets global security and IT auditing standards. So, naturally, it comes with a certain level of prestige, not unlike attending a top-ranked school or earning an advanced degree.

According to the ISACA website, the CISA credentialing process aims to help professionals develop the skills and best practices that represent the building blocks of success in this field, offering a global standard for measuring proficiency. Being CISA certified also makes it easier for systems auditors to find work. It gives employers assurance that candidates possess the expertise, skills, and knowledge that organizations depend on to keep data safe and secure.

Key benefits of the certification include the following:

Validates professional experience and expert knowledge

It offers global recognition as an IS audit professional
Increased value to an organization
Gives job seekers a competitive advantage over non-CISA peers

According to Payscale statistics, CISA certificate holders earn between $83k and $107k, on average. However, there are several positions that offer higher pay based on the company, experience, and role. What's more, CISA certification is a requirement for many jobs, both in the private and public sectors. Meaning there's an opportunity cost for auditors who don't pursue the CISA, particularly as they gain more experience in the field.

Overview of Who Offers CISA Certification?

While this particular credential isn't the only professional certification option for IS/IT auditors, the CISA is the most recognizable designation in the field. Additionally, we should mention that ISACA is the only organization that offers the CISA certification, though they have testing centers all over the world.

ISACA stands for Information Systems Audit and Control Association. It's a global non-profit that offers practical guidance, ongoing education, and other resources to IT professionals looking to advance their careers. The ISACA website also provides a wealth of information to prospective CISA candidates, covering everything from testing, preparation, and prerequisites, to prep courses and interactive training tools.

ISACA members receive benefits, including:

Events and training available at 200+ ISACA Chapters
Access to IT Audit Leaders and CISO Forums
Free webinars
Conference registration discounts
Career coaching, tools, and access to professional development resources
Professional and industry advocacy
25% discounts on CISA, CISM, CRISC, and CGEIT exam registrations
72 hours of free continuing professional education
Member discounts on ISACA publications and research

Keep in mind, ISACA also offers CRISC, CISM, and CGEITA certifications. As such, you'll want to make sure you look over your options to see if the CISA is the right fit for your career goals.

How to Get Certified

Getting your CISA certification isn't a decision you should take lightly. You'll need several years of experience, education, and demonstrated competency in the field. You'll also need to pass an exam and, long-term, will need to meet continuing education requirements to maintain your certification. Below, we've outlined what prospective CISAs need to know before they apply for certification.

Work Experience

Before you can take the CISA exam, you'll need to work as an information systems auditor for at least five years. Alternatively, if you have educational experience or related work experience, you may be able to use that experience to waive up to three of those five years.

Here's a quick look at what the ISACA considers adequate experience:

Minimum one-year experience as an information systems auditor or one year of working as an auditor outside of the IS field
A two- or four-year degree can replace the experience requirement as well, so long as you earned said degree sometime in the past ten years - an associate degree can replace one year of work experience, while a bachelor’s replaces two
A Master's degree in Information Technology, Information Security, or a related field, can also replace a year of work experience
A minimum of two years' experience working as a professor of accounting, computer science, or information systems may also count toward one year of experience

Keep in mind that, while you'll submit your work requirements after you pass the certification exam, the ISACA recommends fulfilling them before sitting for the exam. However, work experience needs to be earned either within ten years before passing the exam or up to five years after, so there's ample time to tie up any loose ends.

Taking the Exam

The CISA exam is a 150-question exam composed of five sections. Test-takers will have four hours to complete their work, and questions are multiple-choice.

Each of the five sections covers a subsection of what you can expect to do on the job, and per the ISACA website, is broken down as follows:

Domain 1 – Information System Auditing Process (21%)
Domain 2 – Governance and Management of IT (17%)
Domain 3 – Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%)
Domain 4 – Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience (23%)
Domain 5 – Protection of Information Assets (27%)

How Do You Sign Up?

To sign up for the exam, head over to the ISACA website and check the exam schedule. Candidates can register here: http://www.isaca.org/examreg

and from there, will be prompted to follow these steps:

Fill Out the Application: The registration form does require quite a bit of information, so you’ll need to be prepared to provide your professional history, references, and educational background, much like a job application.
Indicate Preferences: Next, you’ll be directed to the registration screen where you’ll indicate any exam preferences such as any disability accommodations, or whether you’d like to authorize the release of information to your ISACA chapter.
Review: Confirm all information is correct and add it to the cart.
Pay for the Exam: Members pay $575 while non-members pay $760, and upon checkout you’ll also have the option to pay for membership and purchase study aids to help you prepare. You can opt to either pay now or pay later, but keep in mind, you will not be able to schedule the exam until the organization receives your payment and your 365-day eligibility period begins from the time you register, not the day you make a payment.
Next Steps: After making the payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If you opt to pay later, you’ll get an email reminder with additional instructions.

To schedule the exam:

Log into your MyISACA account and select the Certifications & CPE Management tab from the lower left-hand corner.
Click “Schedule Your Exam” and you’ll be taken to the PSI scheduling platform, where you’ll again click “Schedule Exam.”
Choose your language preferences and location to view available dates and times.
Book an exam, review details, and select “continue.”
You should see a success pop-up that confirms your registration—click close and view your schedule details. You’ll have the option to reschedule or print confirmation details

How is the CISA exam proctored?

ISACA works with a partner organization, PSI, that administers exams to CISA candidates from all over the world. Test-takers will have the choice to take the exam in a testing center or at a remote kiosk. You can compare the two experiences here,

but the breakdown is as follows:

Testing Center - Exams are administered live in a computer lab setting where proctors monitor multiple candidates.
Remote Kiosk - A self-service option where test-takers sit at an individual workstation to take the exam. Remote proctors verify candidates' identities and monitor the process via three digital cameras, chat, and a microphone that allows testers to ask questions.

How Do You Prepare for the Exam?

The exam is four-hours long and is structured as follows:

All questions are designed with one best answer
Every question has a stem (question) and four options (answer choices)
Choose the correct or best answer from the options
Stems might come in the form of a question or a fragment
In some cases, you'll be presented with a scenario, which includes a description of the situation and several questions you'll answer based on the information provided

The ISACA offers preparation courses, as well as study guides and prep materials you can use to prepare on your own. Additionally, CISA candidates may be able to enroll in a local prep course through a university or another professional association.

Code of Professional Conduct/Ethics

According to the ISACA website, all certified professionals must adhere to a professional code of conduct, which lays out the ethical responsibilities the organization expects from those carrying the CISA certification.

Here is a quick rundown of what that entails:

Demonstrate competence in managing enterprise information systems, running audits, and implementing control, security, and risk management best practices
CISA holders must be objective, thorough, and professional as they carry out their duties
Auditors must operate with the interests of their employers or clients in mind, maintaining the high character and conduct standards while on the job
Protect the privacy of clients and employee privacy and confidentiality of information obtained on the job, unless required by law
Auditors cannot use data for personal gain or release information to unauthorized third-parties
Participate in ongoing education to maintain competency and expertise in their field
CISA must be transparent about all work performed in the field, audit results, and other key findings
They must also commit to ongoing professional development to keep pace with the latest industry standards

Those CISA’s who fail to follow the organization's Code of Professional Ethics may become the subject of an investigation, and if necessary, risk disciplinary action or loss of certification.

Continuing Professional Education

Beyond gaining the required work experience and passing the exam, CISA-certified professionals must also complete a minimum of 20 hours per year of continuing education. According to the ISCA, the goal of continuing education is to ensure that CISAs will keep pace with changes in the IS and IT landscape, provide leadership to their team, and add value to their organization.

To maintain certification, you'll also need to pay an annual renewal fee on January 1st of each year. Alternatively, CISAs have the option to renew for three years up front.

Advantages to CISA Certification

The main reason that information systems auditors choose to get this certification is that it improves job prospects. CISA certification signals competence and expertise to employers, many of which will only work with IS pros that have the credential. For auditors, the certification allows them to further develop their skills, both in preparing for the exam, and in the long-term, as the ISACA requires CISAs to participate in continuous training.

Key advantages:

Improves information auditing skills
Opens the door to more career opportunities
Demonstrates expertise
Globally recognized credential

The CISA represents a global standard of IT competence and professionalism that can help professionals communicate their expertise by adding a few extra letters to their email signature.

The CISA test consists of 5 domains or areas. There are 150 questions on the exam and also you will have 4 hours to complete it. For each and every domain name there are products which will examine your step-by-step skills and after that an established that evaluates your knowledge.

To get a Certified Information Systems Auditor accreditation, candidates should pass an extensive examination and also please industry job experience needs. Prospects should likewise go through proceeding education and learning and professional development as well as follow ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics and also Info Solution Auditing Requirements.

The CISA test lasts four hrs as well as includes 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam tests candidates' understanding of five job method domain names: The Refine of Bookkeeping Info Systems; Federal Government and Monitoring of IT; Information Solution Acquisition, Development, and also Implementation; Information Equipment Procedures, Maintenance and also Service Administration; and also Security of Information Possessions. Candidates have to rack up 450 to pass the test. The exam scores range between 200 and also 800. Candidates have the alternative to sit the examination in June, September, or December in testing centers worldwide. The exam is also offered in multiple languages consisting of Chinese Mandarin chinese (simplified and also conventional), Spanish, French, Japanese, and also Korean.

CISA prospects must have a minimum of 5 years of expert experience in info systems auditing, control, or safety and security. There are several work experience substitutions as well as waivers approximately an optimum of 3 years that prospects can satisfy.A maximum of one year of info systems experience OR one year of non-information systems auditing experience. (Alternatives one year of work experience.) Sixty to 120 completed university term credit rating hrs. (Sixty credit scores hrs replaces one year of job experience, while 120 debt hours replace 2 years of work experience.).

The key tasks of a CISA consist of: Executing an audit strategy for details systems (IS) that is based on threat management.Planning audits that can be utilized to identify whether or not IT properties are safeguarded, managed and also valuable.Executing the audits in compliance with the organizations set criteria and also objectives.Sharing audit outcomes as well as giving suggestions to administration based on the results.Performing reexaminations of the audits to make sure the suggested actions have actually been performed by management.However, a CISAs obligations often expand past bookkeeping control.

They are anticipated to collaborate with management in order to validate the business procedures, prepare for implementation and also procedure of the deployed system promote the organization's goals as well as strategies. Initially, this includes evaluating: risk management practices; organization connection and also calamity recovery approaches; IT plans, requirements, procedures and treatments within the company; the worth of the IT control framework; and the administration and monitoring of IT employees, the IT organizational structure and controls.

After that, while the IS is prepared for implementation, the CISA needs to continue to keep an eye on numerous locations to guarantee effective implementation of the system. This consists of carrying out tasks as well as post-implementation reviews. Other responsibilities consist of reviewing: business instance for the suggested system; controls for the IS; IT distributor selection and agreement management processes; the project administration framework and also controls; and the readiness of the IS.Once the system is applied, the CISA is in charge of assessing: Defense of info assets.A rating of 450 or higher (racked up on a scale of 200 to 800) is needed to pass the exam. It is carried out in June, September as well as December in screening locations worldwide. The exam is provided in English, Chinese Mandarin Chinese Simplified, French, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.Individuals seeking to get ready for the examination can take advantage of preparation products that are readily available via the ISACA; lots of ISACA chapters likewise host CISA exam testimonial programs.

It is advised that people planning for the test take as numerous practice examinations as possible in addition to examining the ISACA Evaluation Handbook as well as learning to believe like an accountant.Adopting an accountants frame of mind is valuable due to the fact that the majority of individuals that create the CISA examination either job as accountants or in the monetary solutions industry. As a result, by thinking like an accounting professional, a test taker can obtain a better understanding of the questions and solutions and also the method they were written.If a CISA prospect passes the examination, after that they will be sent all the details they require about exactly how to request the CISA certification. Nonetheless, they need to first guarantee they have actually fulfilled all of the work experience demands.

Earning your CISA certification is not an easy task. You need to pass several exams and be fully prepared for the exam. But if you are really determined, the certification process will surely be a rewarding experience and you will soon be on your way to being one of the many certified Information Systems Auditors.

The first step is to find the right institution to earn your Certified Information Systems Auditing Certificate (Certification CISA). Job Opportunities is available after completing a CISA Certified Information System Auditor Training Course.

After a CISA certified auditor training course, you will be able to apply for a number of job opportunities. Some of these jobs may include certified network administrators, security managers, auditors, information security consultants and much more. These jobs offer a stable, high-paying salary and may last as long as two to three years. Your salary is dependent upon the organization that you are working with and the scope of your role.

Once you have completed your CISA certified information system audit training, you will be required to do a practical exam. This exam is not based on theory but tests your knowledge of the different systems. The test consists of questions that test your ability to identify security vulnerabilities and determine what should be done to fix them. It also tests your analytical thinking and technical abilities.

Practical exams are based on real-life scenarios and you will be asked to evaluate different situations in order to detect problems and recommend corrective measures. You will be asked to use a specific tool or tool set, which you will use for your practical exam. Each test has to be taken within a specific period of time (typically thirty days) so that you can get maximum benefit from it.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you can now apply for a job as a Certified Information System Auditor. This job requires you to be responsible for analyzing and reporting various systems for possible issues that need to be addressed. After a short term or long-term contract, you may need to find new employers. or companies who want to hire you.

Becoming a Certified Information System Auditor is not an easy task. It is important for you to have a strong sense of self-motivation, the ability to prioritize, and the willingness to learn new things. You must also have the skills necessary to deal with deadlines and deal with people. Some auditors become frustrated during the certification process because they feel like the CISA certification process is too difficult and many courses do not address the real-world scenarios that can occur.

A certified Information Systems Audit can become a highly rewarding career for those who are dedicated to the process. If you follow the certification process and take the necessary steps, you can eventually realize your goal of being a Certified Information System Auditor.

The certified Information Systems Audit can work with people from all areas of information technology. You can work at home as an individual consultant, work in a private company, or find work in government agencies and corporations that have large IT departments.

To become certified as an Information Systems Auditor, you will need to pass the certification exam. You can choose to do this online, through a course, or in an onsite course. Each method requires you to do the research and decide how you want to approach the certification process. There is also a choice of choosing a school that offers CISA certification.

It is important that you choose a school that specializes in education and has experience in teaching the exam. Because you will be working directly with the auditors and dealing with their clients, it is important for the school to specialize in education. To become successful you will need to have a solid foundation of knowledge about the concepts and terminology used in auditing.

Some schools may only offer one or two auditors and do not offer any other training. Make sure that the school that you choose focuses in auditing and doesn't have many auditors available. This is an excellent way to ensure that you get the best out of the certification process. There is also a large difference in the cost of training because some schools charge a flat fee and others charge on a per course basis.

Typical CISA Responsibilities & Duties

The CISA credential recognizes individuals who are skilled in auditing, control, and assurance of enterprise IT systems. What that means in terms of daily tasks is IT auditors collect and analyze data to prevent fraud, rogue spending, and non-compliance. Auditors report findings to the organization's leaders and make recommendations for action.

Critical skills for CISA pros:

Gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
Perform audits and quality reviews on systems, databases, data management, programming workflows, and development processes
Implement and maintain controls, governance, and security best practices.

Careers and Salaries for CISA Certified Professionals

According to Payscale, the average CISA earns about $100,000 annually, though compensation varies considerably based on where you work, how much experience you have, and other factors. That said, many IT/IS jobs hover around the $60-65k range, so earning the credential can help you bring home higher paychecks than you would without the designation. Keep in mind that CISA certification isn't just for auditors.

Here are some additional roles where earning the credential can serve you well:

Internal Auditor
Public Accounting Auditor
IS Analyst
IT Audit Manager
IT Project Manager
IT Security Officer
Network Operation Security Engineer
Cybersecurity Professional
IT Consultant
IT Risk and Assurance Manager
Privacy Officer
Chief Information Officer

With security breaches and cyber-attacks on the rise, the need for competent auditors is growing. According to the United States Department of Labor, IS analysts and similar professionals are high in demand, and they predict that this trend will continue over the long-term.

For those pursuing IS/IT careers, it's worth mentioning one last time, CISA-certified auditors have an advantage over candidates without the credential. Bottom line: CISAs stand to set themselves on the path for a stable, well-paid career if they're willing to do the work.