The ISACA, i.e., Information Systems Audit and Control Association, offers certification for IT and IS auditors responsible for assessing the security and reliability of an organization’s information systems. It is one of the few internationally recognized qualifications created with IT auditors in mind.
Your expertise in information systems auditing, assurance, control, security, cyber security, and governance will be recognized with the CISA training.
One of the highest-regarded credentials in the world of information security and systems auditing is the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) accreditation. Furthermore, the certification’s high standards and challenging examination make it highly sought after.
According to the ISACA, those working as compliance analysts, program managers, risk analysts, data protection managers, security officers, and IT consultants can all benefit from having the CISA certification.
What Are the Essential CISA Requirements?
Achieving CISA certification necessitates that you fulfill several prerequisites. The basic qualifications include five years of relevant work experience, successful completion of the CISA certification exam, and endorsement of the CISA code of conduct and continuous education policy.
To keep your certification active after passing the exam, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education each year. Completing an academic program can replace as much as three years of relevant job experience. Possible substitutes:
- ACCA membership for a two-year educational exemption.
- CIMA certification to receive a two-year educational exemption.
- Master’s degree in IT or security for a year-long educational exemption.
- 60 to 120 credit hours in a related discipline get required for a 2-year educational exemption.
Therefore, if you don’t have five years of work experience, you need a Master’s degree and a relevant degree in addition to your two years of work experience and certification.
CISA Certification Cost
You can save money on the CISA exam by applying early, being an ISACA member, and registering online. A non-early member’s registration charge is $625, while a member’s is $440. There is an additional $75 fee for early registration by mail or fax. Non-members pay $675 to register, and members pay $490, plus an additional $75 processing fee for offline applications.
Exam adjustments cost $50 and must be requested before an exam ticket is issued. If you need to cancel your exam, you’ll have to pay $100 and submit your request at least one month before your scheduled exam date. Fees to postpone an exam are $50 if requested within a month of the exam and $100 after that.
After passing the exam, you can apply for your certification by paying a $50 processing fee.
How to Perform Well in the CISA Exam?
CISA Eligibility: With a low passing rate and a minimum passing score of 75%, you must be well-versed in the material to succeed on the CISA exam. It’s recommended that you set aside at least three to four months before the exam to prepare. There are two main ways to prepare for the CISA exam: by taking a CISA prep course or purchasing the ISACA CISA review manual.
You can use the review manual as a study guide by taking notes on the topics that will and will not be on the test. In addition, studying correct and bad answers will help you understand the test’s underlying principles and question structure.
CISA Salary Details
The CISA, i.e., Certified Information Systems Auditor qualification, is highly regarded and frequently pays well. The future employment prognosis is bright as job growth gets anticipated to continue at a healthy clip.
Accountants and auditors, in general, may expect to make over $70,000 annually and benefit from a job growth rate of roughly 4 percent, reports the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the other hand, computer and information systems managers may expect an annual salary of about $150,000 and a job growth rate of 10%.
CISA holders, according to ISACA, earn an average of $110,000 a year. It is far higher than the norm for auditors and accountants.
Conclusion
Earning and maintaining the ISACA CISA certification can be very helpful if you are presently working as an IT auditor or plan to do so in the future. The commitment of time and money required to obtain this certification is commensurate with any other professional qualification, but the payoff is substantial.
Therefore, when hiring new employees, companies offer preference to candidates with the CISA professional designation because of the credibility it conveys. In addition, it has been shown that this certification helps advance one’s career in the IS/IT sector.
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