For IT professionals who are looking forward to rendering their services in auditing and security services, CISA certification is surely the one-stop solution. That is to say, ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification holds a worldwide reputation which helps the IT professionals to improve the career prospects and possibly enhance the potential income.
The CISA certification offers instant validation to the skills and knowledge which is made applicable by the CISA in the field of auditing, control, and information security, right after the certification process.
Therefore, in this article, we intend to shed light on the list of roles and responsibilities of Certified Information Systems Auditor. However, it becomes all the way more important to know the pathway to become one, before we hop on the roles and responsibilities of it. So, let start with the exam abstract and collect other major details of the CISA exam.
CISA: Overview
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification exam is a global standard for professionals in Business Systems and Information Technology. This certification demonstrates your skills in risk management, control establishment, and compliance assurance to employers. It’s a way to validate your expertise and acquire the necessary skills to advance your career. Let’s delve into the fundamental details of the CISA exam.
CISA Exam Format
The CISA exam lasts for 4 hours (240 minutes). It includes 150 multiple-choice questions that cover the latest job practice areas. This exam is offered in 10 languages, including Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), English, German, French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and Turkish.
As far as the exam pricing is concerned, it is based on membership status at the time of exam registration. Therefore, the CISA Exam Cost for ISACA Member is $575 USD and ISACA Nonmember is $760 USD
Remember, the CISA certifications are valid for three years and throughout these three years, the certified candidates or employees must fit in the ISACA requirements to maintain their validity.
CISA Exam Requirements
- Firstly, candidates should possess five (5) or more years of experience in IS/IT audit, control, assurance, or security.
- Secondly, there is an option to waive up to three (3) years of experience.
CISA Exam Course Outline
ISACA provides an important exam concept for CISA, that can be beneficial during the preparation. The CISA Exam Topics along with their respective weights are as follow,
Domain 1: Process of Auditing Information Systems (21%)
In this domain, you gain familiarity and understanding with the highest standards of information systems to provide the best audit practices as well.
Domain 2: IT Governance (17%)
In this domain, you manage to learn to develop the sound IS control practices and management mechanisms.
Domain 3: Systems and Infrastructure Lifecycle Management (12%)
In this domain, you cover the processes and methodologies topics that organizations use during reinventing the infrastructure components of their application systems.
Domain 4: IT Service Delivery and Support (23%)
In this domain, the candidate is required to review the processes and various methodologies applicable to different IT systems. Further, it will help you learn the IS audit in the event of a disruption.
Domain 5: Protection of Information Assets (27%)
In this area, you’ll learn about safeguarding information assets to make sure they’re trustworthy, available, and private. Additionally, you’ll explore creating logical access controls and implementing various security measures.
After getting every exam related detail in your hand, it’s time we lay down all the essential job functions that are required to be performed by a CISA. So, let’s move ahead.
Job Roles and Responsibilities: CISA
CISA certification holders are likely to be hired for roles such as:
- Internal Auditor
- Public Accounting Auditor
- Information Security Analyst
- Network Operation Security Engineer
- Cyber Security professional
- IT Consulting
- Privacy Officer
- PCI Security Specialist
- IT Audit Manager
Once you are clear with the job roles, its time you go through the job responsibilities rigorously. There are various responsibilities a CISA has to deal with. This includes the following:
- Firstly, assessing the design and operational effectiveness of Key Risk Indicators and IT General Controls.
- Secondly, designing, developing and publishing the materials to support adherence to the established KRI/ITGC validation processes.
- Thirdly, they have to work closely with other teams that include risk, IT and information security team to report and track plans.
- Moreover, they plan and perform application and general systems to control audits, process, and system development reviews.
- They have to verify information technology systems and infrastructure to check if they secure and support the related applications.
- There is the participation of IT auditor in the development, planning, and implementation of fraud investigations.
- Lastly, they prepare and present presentations to the management, discussing the results of the audit and suggesting steps to enhance operations and decrease expenses.
Pathway to qualify CISA Certification Exam
Are you intrigued by the job roles and have made the decision to take the CISA Certification Exam? If so, you’re on your way to enhancing your skills in system security management and advancing your professional career.
But before you take the exam, it’s crucial to prepare and grasp the exam’s structure so you can pass it on your first try. Since the CISA certification can significantly impact your IT Security career, many hopefuls are signing up for the CISA certification exam. To assist you, our CISA Exam Study Guide offers a compilation of learning resources that will aid your success in this exam.
Learning Resource 1: Virtual Instructor-Led Training
First things first, to prepare for the CISA exam, you need to get the best of both worlds. That is to say, you need to have a personal interaction with expert instructors as well as the convenience of an online classroom. Virtual instructor-led training helps you expand your understanding of everything from audit and assurance to information security, cybersecurity, and managing reporting on risk.
Learning Resource 2: Choosing the Best Online Training
After that, the idea of online training adds nothing, but an advantage. This comprehensive online course is a compendium of on-demand video training sessions, interactive modules, and workbooks, case study activities, assessments to track your progress and much more. The best part about online training is to move at your own pace, which means you can follow a recommended study track or target specific topics as per your comfort.
Learning Resource 3: Review the course objectives
Subsequently, you can make a visit to the CISA Review Manual (CRM) offered by ISACA. The manual has all the relevant course content good enough to help the aspirants get through the exam. Therefore, make a habit to read it rigorously and familiarise with the CISA Exam Syllabus. You can find the roles and duties of an information systems auditor, along with essential information for the CISA Exam, detailed in CRM. Furthermore, you can explore CISA-related blogs and articles. These resources provide the latest updates and keep candidates informed about the CISA exam.
Must Read: What is the best way to prepare for CISA Exam?
Learning Resource 4: Books are your Best Friends!
Moreover, you can complement your CISA Exam Preparation with study aids i.e books. Books are the oldest as well as the most important ingredient in certification preparation. So, in order to sail through your CISA exam smoothly, it is recommended to look after various CISA books available in the market space. Books help you understand and acquire course content in a detailed way.
- Firstly, CISA Exam Prep: Certified Information Systems Auditor
- In addition, CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide
- Also, Cisa: A Clear And Concise Reference
Learning Resources 5: Join Exam prep Community
In addition, you can join the CISA study community to prepare for the exam. Community helps you to ask questions, share ideas and experiences and gain insights to help successfully prepare for the exam. Moreover, the exam community helps you keep updated and on track. Generally, most of the community leaders are past top exam scorers that will surely help you moderate, facilitate and drive discussions in the most positive manner.
Learning Resource 6: Practice makes you perfect!
Last but surely not least, practice tests are one of the most efficient sources to prepare for the exam. In the modern era of technology, where most of the exams take place online, it is not easy to take up a paper-based long and rigorous CISA exam. It is advised to keep solving the practice questions in order to make yourself familiar and comfortable with the pattern and duration of the exam. You can pick and perform as many CISA Exam Practice Questions from the most authentic and reliable sources. So, GAIN INSTANT INSIGHT NOW!
Besides these learning resources, some changes in the subject related thought process and the practical experience will also help you pass this exam. CISA Certification exam may seem a bit difficult for some candidates. However, with the right guidance and planned preparation, you will certainly get your certification.
Expert’s Corner
To wrap up, CISA certification benefits both your career growth and your understanding of IT controls for safeguarding systems. Additionally, it expands your knowledge of the security field. Being CISA certified means you excel in spotting weaknesses and ensuring compliance. Also, you play a crucial role in reinforcing controls within a company. Consequently, organizations implement controls to safeguard their computer systems.
Catapult your career with advanced learning skills and expert tutorials on CISA. Prepare and become a Certified Information Systems Auditor Now!
