Although technological developments may appear essential for survival in the future, they have some downsides. These days, we can see how quickly businesses are adopting digital transformation. Although digital transformation appears attractive, there is a significant risk to the daily flow of data. You may have heard news headlines about data breaches that cost businesses millions of dollars in losses as well as their reputation. To combat the growing threat of cyberattacks, governments from a number of nations have reacted by directing businesses to adopt acceptable cybersecurity measures.
Cybersecurity careers are in high demand, not only in the Information Technology industry but also in finance, retail, and government agencies. Professionals who have the right skills in cybersecurity can even command lucrative salaries compared to their peers. Some of the popular job roles in cybersecurity include ethical hackers, information security analysts, network administrators, security consultants, and forensic experts. Additionally, there is one career option that you may be interested in – an information security auditor. Read more.
IT auditors are experts who evaluate and examine a company’s technology infrastructure to determine whether its systems and processes are effective and efficient. They examine if businesses are adhering to compliance standards and determine whether there are any IT problems relating to security and risk management. They are typically relied upon by organisations to create, carry out, test, and assess audit review procedures. Programs, software, networks, security systems, communication systems, and other services dependent on a company’s technological infrastructure may all be subject to such audit procedures.
You should pursue certification if you’re serious about becoming an IT auditor.
Though a lot of cybersecurity certifications are recognized in companies worldwide, the CISA certification stands out among others when it comes to IT auditing. This article will let you know what CISA certification is all about and what the requirements are associated with it.
The CISA Certification – What it Means?
Before directly jumping into CISA, here is a brief description of the association that has designed it.
Aiming to assist professionals in obtaining the information, qualifications, education, and community they need to develop their careers and improve their organisations, ISACA was formerly known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. They enable businesses all around the world to grasp the advantages of technology. Currently, ISACA serves 145,000 professionals in 180 countries who play a variety of roles in assurance, governance, risk, and information security. The CISA, or Certified Information Systems Auditor, certification is one of the more well-known credentials it provides.
CISA, as ISACA mentions, is world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor, and assess the information technology and business systems of an organization. The certification is foundational to a promising IT career. You can demonstrate your expertise in applying a risk-based approach to plan, implement, and report on audit engagements with a CISA certification. When you interact with regulators, internal stakeholders, external auditors, or end-users, a CISA certification will instantly validate your credibility.
A CISA certification basically validates your knowledge and skills in specific work-related domains, namely:
- Information systems auditing process
- Governance and management of IT
- Information systems acquisition, development, and implementation
- Information systems operations and business resilience
- Protection of information assets
The CISA certification is accredited under ISO/IEC 17024:2012. There are over 151K CISA certification holders across countries and are reaping its career benefits. Such professionals earn an average annual salary of US$ 110K, as ISACA mentions on its website. It is also seen that the credential results in improving the earning potential by 22%. Additionally, the certification holders see a 70% improvement in their job performance.
CISA Certification Requirements
As with other industry-recognized IT certifications, a CISA certification also involves certain prerequisites that applicants must fulfill to be eligible to achieve it. Mentioned below are all the requirements:
- Qualify for the CISA certification exam – It can be taken by every individual who is interested in information systems audit, control, and security.
- Adhere to the Code of professional ethics – The certification holders need to agree to a Code of Professional Ethics to guide professional and personal conduct.
- Adhere to the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Policy – The objective of this policy is to maintain a professional’s competency by requiring the update of current knowledge and skills in the areas of information systems audit, control, or security. Moreover, it provides a means to differentiate between qualified CISA holders and those who do not meet the requirements for the continuation of their certification.
- Comply with the Information Systems Auditing Standards
- Validate the minimum work experience requirements – Applicants need to have at least 5 years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security. This experience must be gained within the 10-year duration preceding the application date for certification. They have 5 years from the passing date to apply for certification.
The CISA certification exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that need to be answered in 4 hours. The exam registration fee for ISACA members is US$ 575, while that for non-members is US$ 760.
Wrap Up
In the current work market, cybersecurity specialists have a wide range of opportunities. You can contribute your efforts to securing a company’s systems and networks from cyberattacks if you have a recognised cybersecurity certification. If a professional can’t study independently, they can enrol in an online training session to get ready for the exam. Industry leaders frequently serve as mentors for online CISA programmes, so you can rely on them to provide high-quality educational opportunities.
