The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam is for IT experts who check, watch over, and evaluate info systems and tech. The test is meant to check your understanding, skills, and know-how in info systems auditing, control, and safety. The CISA certification is provided by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and is respected all over the world as a top standard in IT audit. The exam includes different subjects like auditing methods, IT leadership, security, risk management, and more.
CISA Exam Glossary
Here are some common terms and concepts related to the CISA exam:
- Information Systems Audit: A systematic process of examining an organization’s information systems to evaluate its security, effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance with regulations and policies.
- Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT): A system for overseeing and handling IT operations that offers a collection of top methods and directions for organizations to efficiently manage their info systems.
- Risk Management: Figuring out, evaluating, and ranking risks to a company’s info systems, then making plans to control or lessen those risks.
- Compliance: The process of ensuring that an organization’s information systems and processes meet regulatory, legal, and contractual requirements.
- Governance: Creating rules, steps, and directions to make sure a company’s info systems match its business goals and follow the law, rules, and ethics.
- Cybersecurity: The practice of protecting information systems and networks from unauthorized access, theft, damage, or disruption.
- Audit Trail: A record of all activities and transactions in an information system, including who accessed the system, what actions were taken, and when they occurred.
- Penetration Testing: A process of simulating an attack on an information system to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.
- Social Engineering: The act of tricking people into sharing private info or doing things that aren’t good for them.
- Disaster Recovery: The process of restoring an organization’s information systems and infrastructure after a natural or man-made disaster.
CISA Study Guide
Here are some official resources for the CISA exam:
- ISACA Website: The official website of ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) provides information about the CISA certification, exam registration, study materials, and more. Visit: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cisa
- CISA Exam Candidate Guide: This guide provides information about the CISA exam, including exam format, content, registration process, and exam policies. Visit: https://www.isaca.org/-/media/files/isaca/certification/cisa/exam-candidate-guide.pdf
- CISA Review Manual: This is the official study guide for the CISA exam, published by ISACA. It provides comprehensive coverage of the exam content and includes practice questions and answers. Visit: https://www.isaca.org/bookstore/bookstore-wp/cisa-review-manual-27th-edition-downloadable-pdf
- CISA Exam Prep Course: ISACA offers an official exam prep course for the CISA exam, which includes online instruction, practice questions, and interactive exercises. Visit: https://www.isaca.org/training-and-events/instructor-led-training/cisa-certified-information-systems-auditor/cisa-exam-prep-course
- CISA Exam Study Community: ISACA’s CISA Exam Study Community is a forum where CISA candidates can interact with each other, share study tips, and ask questions. Visit: https://engage.isaca.org/cisaexamstudy/home
- CISA Exam Review App: The ISACA CISA Exam Review App is a mobile application that lets you see CISA exam questions, answers, and explanations. Visit: https://www.isaca.org/training-and-events/mobile-apps/cisa-exam-review-app
What is the best way to prepare for CISA Exam?
The best way to prepare for the CISA exam includes the following steps:
- Familiarize yourself with the exam content: Check out the CISA exam outline on the ISACA website to grasp what subjects are covered in the exam and how important they are.
- Get a study guide: The official CISA Review Manual, published by ISACA, is a comprehensive study guide that covers all exam topics in depth. You can also find other study materials, such as flashcards and practice exams, from various publishers.
- Create a study plan: Set a realistic study schedule based on the amount of time you have available and your personal learning style. Divide your study time equally among the exam domains, and use a variety of study materials to reinforce your learning.
- Join a study group: Consider joining a study group to interact with other CISA candidates and share study tips and resources. You can find study groups online or in person through ISACA chapters or other professional organizations.
- Take practice exams: Try practice tests to assess what you know and find out where you can do better. ISACA has a free online evaluation tool named the CISA Self-Assessment Exam, containing 50 questions that mimic the real exam.
- Review your exam results: Look at your practice test outcomes to spot the areas where you should concentrate your studying. Go over the explanations for the wrong answers to get a better grip on the concepts.
- Stay up-to-date on changes to the exam: The CISA exam content may change over time, so be sure to stay informed about any updates or changes to the exam content or format.
- Stay calm and focused on exam day: Get a good night’s sleep before the exam, arrive early to the exam site, and stay focused during the exam. Remember to pace yourself and allocate your time effectively to answer all the questions.
CISA Exam Course Outline
ISACA provides an important exam concept for CISA, that can be beneficial during the preparation. The CISA Exam Topics are as follows,
Process of Auditing Information Systems
- By doing this, you’ll acquire the understanding needed to meet the top information systems standards and offer excellent audit practices too.
IT Governance
- In this, you will learn to develop the sound IS control practices and management mechanisms.
Systems and Infrastructure Lifecycle Management
- This Module covers the processes and methodologies topics that organizations use during reinventing the infrastructure components of their application systems.
IT Service Delivery and Support
- In this module, 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.
Protection of Information Assets
- This section will teach you how to make sure information is safe, always there, and private. Also, you’ll learn about making rules for who can access things and other safety steps.
Preparatory Guide for CISA
CISA is a certificate program for security experts who want to understand more about checking, controlling, and securing info systems. This certification is famous among worldwide experts in IS audit control, assurance, and security. The test also helps confirm your experience in auditing and shows if you can report on following rules and setting controls in a company. Yet, we offer the CISA Exam Study Guide to support you with getting ready for the exam.
1. Instructor-LED Training
In Instructor-LED training you will have access to the online classrooms as well you can interact with the expert for clearing doubts. Moreover, this will expand your understanding of everything from audit and assurance to information security, cybersecurity, and managing reporting on risk.
2. CISA Planning Guide
CISA even provides a planning guide that will help you learn how to register, prepare for and maintain the globally recognized CISA certification. Moreover, this CISA Exam Guide will help you in discovering more about the exam and the many benefits to your career.
3. Self- Paced Training
By doing self-paced training you can accelerate your exam readiness with interactive, customizable sample exams that draw from a database of 1,000+ questions. View your results by the job practice domain and gain instant insights into where to focus your study efforts. To help you in this CISA has provided books for reference that includes,
- Firstly, CISA Review Manual book by ISACA
- Secondly, CISA All-in-One Exam Guide
4. Join an Online Group
Many CISA forums and groups are available where both people taking the test and those who have passed can talk about their experiences. These platforms are good for getting tips on getting ready for the CISA Exam and finding encouragement for the test ahead. Plus, if you have questions about CISA, you can find valuable advice here.
5. Practice Exam Resources
We all know how important practice tests are when studying for an exam. These tests can show you where you need to improve and help you get better at those areas. So, once you finish a topic, test yourself with the CISA Exam Practice Questions to see how well you’re doing. There are various sources out there that provide free practice tests for the CISA exam to help you in the preparation.
Note: Keep your mind calm and composed during the preparation. This will help to improve your concentration and you can study well.
Next, we will talk about the CISA responsibilities, market value including job roles and salary.
CISA: Job Roles and Responsibilities
There are various tasks and responsibilities a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) has to deal with. This includes,
- 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 create and deliver the presentations to management, discussing the audit findings and then, recommending corrective action to improve operations and reduce costs.
Job Profiles
The main role of an information technology auditor is to ensure there’s no fraud, waste, or not following government rules in the tech systems. They also study and make reports for the bosses. People with CISA certificates are often hired for positions that involve:
Top Companies
The top companies hiring for IT auditors includes,
- HCL Technologies
- Deloitte
- Pwc
- EXL Service
- Shell
- Information Services Group
CISA Salaries
CISA certification has a good reputation globally. As a result, there are more than 106,000 certified professionals and each year the retention is more than 90%. Moreover, it is one of the top-paying certifications as per the 2013 IT Skills and Certifications Pay Index. However, the average salary for CISA-certified professionals ranges from $52,459 to $122,325 per year. Below a chart is provided,
Below there is an average base salary of an IT auditor
So, what’s next? That is to say, once you have passed the certification there is a need to maintain the certification. As it is important to be up to date with the certification. Let’s understand it.
Maintaining the Certification
CISA certification being the Best Professional Certification Program can truly add much value to your career. This certification can make you noticeable and keep experts updated on the newest developments in the field. Plus, those with CISA certificates can earn more than others in IT audit roles. However, getting the certification isn’t the end – you also need to keep it up to keep benefiting from your new title. ISACA has ways to maintain your certification that include:
- Firstly, earn and report an annual minimum of twenty (20) CPE hours. However, these hours must be suitable to the currency of the CISA’s ability to perform CISA-related tasks.
- Next, gather and document at least one hundred and twenty (120) CPE hours over three years. The purpose of the CPE policy is to ensure all CISAs keep up a good level of current understanding and skill in the area of info systems audit, control, and security.
- Thirdly, you have to pay the CISA annual maintenance fee.
- Fourthly, provide a mechanism to monitor the IS audit, control and security. And, maintain the competency of the professional.
Most importantly, Failure to fulfill these certification requirements can result in the revocation of an individual’s CISA designation.
Expert Tips
To conclude, the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential is one of the most reputable security certifications around. Therefore, achieving the CISA certification will open doors for global opportunities. The CISA Certification has rapid growth over the years, thereby creating a high demand for CISA professionals in the market. All you need is proper guidance and the learning resources to rely on. So, make sure you prepare well and crack the exam.
Learn and enhance your CISA skills. Become a Certified Information Systems Auditor Now!
