The CISA certification is a globally acknowledged standard for evaluating an IT auditor’s knowledge, skill, and expertise in measuring vulnerabilities and instituting IT controls in an enterprise environment.
ISACA awards this certification to people responsible for assuring an organization’s IT, and business systems are controlled, handled, and secured. It is awarded after the completion of a CISA exam and application process. It suits audit managers, IT auditors, consultants, and security professionals best suit.
Achieving CISA certification is worthwhile because it is acknowledged by organizations worldwide and is usually requested for IT audit and security information management (SIM) positions. The certification gives the holder greater visibility throughout the job application procedure since most hiring managers prefer and look out for IT auditors with an ISACA CISA certification.
Responsibilities of a Certified Information Systems Auditor
The primary duties of a CISA include the following:
- Executing an audit strategy for information systems (IS) about risk management.
- Planning audits can be utilized to decide whether or not IT assets are secured, organized, and productive.
- Enforcing the audits as per the organization’s established standards and goals.
- Sharing audit results and offering recommendations to management based on the results.
- Accomplishing reassessment of the audits to ensure management’s suggested actions have been carried out.
- The responsibilities of a Certified Information Systems Auditor usually go beyond auditing control. They are expected to work with management to ensure organizational processes and blueprints for implementing and operating the deployed systems and advance the organization’s objectives and procedures.
This comprises assessing:
- Risk management methods;
- IT portfolio and resource management;
- Plans for business-IT alignment;
- business persistency and disaster recovery techniques;
- IT policies, standards, processes, and procedures within the organization;
- the importance of the IT control framework; and
- the management and monitoring of IT personnel, the IT organizational structure, and controls.
How to Become a Certified Information Systems Auditor
To become CISA certified, candidates must accomplish the following five steps:
- Pass the CISA exam.
- Apply for CISA certification.
- Stick to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics.
- Abide by ISACA’s Continuing Professional Education Program.
- Conform to ISACA’s Information Systems Auditing Standards.
Overview of the CISA Certification Exam
The CISA exam is open to anyone involved in IS auditing, control, and security. The CISA exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours.
The CISA exam assesses candidates’ skills in the domains mentioned below:
- Information Systems Auditing Process (21%)
- Governance And Management of It (17%)
- Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%)
- Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience (23%)
- Protection Of Information Assets (27%)
A score of 450 or higher (on a scale of 200 to 800) is needed to pass the exam. It can be taken at any time in testing centers globally and remotely online. The exam is in English, French, German, Italian, Chinese Mandarin Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Turkish.
How to Pass the ISACA CISA Exam?
Applicants preparing for the exam can use the study materials available on the ISACA website. Many ISACA chapters also conduct CISA exam review courses. It is advised that people preparing for the exam attempt as many CISA practice exams as possible in addition to studying the ISACA Review Manual and comprehending to think like an accountant.
Thinking like an auditor helps get through the CISA exam, as most of the candidates appearing for the CISA exam either work as accountants or in financial positions.
Hence, by thinking like an accountant, an exam-taker can better understand the questions and answers and how they were written.
If a CISA candidate passes the exam, they will be sent the information needed to apply for the CISA certificate. However, they must first ensure they have met the work experience requirements.
Invest in CISA Practice Exam for Thorough Exam Preparation
An essential part of your exam preparation is the practice exams. You must spend time performing the CISA practice exam to familiarize yourself with the exam structure and the questions likely to be asked in the exam. In addition to becoming familiar with the exam structure, the CISA practice exam helps you identify your weak and strong areas. You can work on weak areas to improve your result in the actual exam.
When performing practice exams, there is no limit to the number of times you should take them. Attempt it as many times as possible and
resume studying the ones you get wrong with appropriate study materials. Take CISA practice exams until you score more than 95%. Edusum is a great website that offers a reliable CISA question bank to boost your exam preparation. But keep in mind that you don’t store that answer to CISA exam questions while taking a practice exam. You should grasp the concepts, the questions likely to be asked, and the exam’s structure.
Proven Benefits of ISACA CISA Certification
The CISA certification is known worldwide as evidence of an individual’s skill in information system auditing. The benefits of a CISA certification comprise:
- Relative advantage in the job market and with tremendous growth.
- CISA certification presents the individual as a worthy asset to an organization.
- Increased productivity in the workplace. This is because of the accomplishment of the CISA exam and the recognition of work, experience, and educational qualifications.
- Assistance meeting high professional standards with ISACA’s requirements and Continuing Professional Education program.
- Confirm an individual’s knowledge, experience, and skills in the field. Proof of their skill to successfully overcome challenges that may come up.
- CISA certification salary ranges between $52,459 and $122,326 per annum.
- Internal audit directors are one of the highest-paid jobs with a CISA certification, and this position can make around $136,082 per annum.
Conclusion
The CISA certification exam is an important exam that you need to pass to have a successful career as an IT Auditor. So, prepare thoroughly and go for it once you are confident in your preparation.
