The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Certification is one of the most prestigious credentials offered by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). A CISA-certified professional is responsible for planning and managing their organization’s information systems and aligning them with the organizational objectives. The audit strategy designed by these qualified professionals helps identify the vulnerabilities in an organization’s information systems at the earliest and prevents potential risk factors.
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Advantages of a CISA Certification
Acquiring a CISA Certification is highly beneficial for cybersecurity and information security professionals. Apart from providing countless job opportunities for IT and non-IT professionals interested in starting a career in the cybersecurity industry, a CISA credential gives credibility and global recognition to the certification holder. Most organizations ask for a CISA Certification during the recruitment process to fill their various information system auditor designations, including IT auditors, audit managers, and security consultant positions.
By earning this prestigious credential from ISACA, a CISA-certified auditor demonstrates their knowledge and proficiency in understanding the importance of information systems auditing and strategizing the security infrastructure depending on the needs of their organizations. They perform risk assessments and create an audit strategy to ensure their organization’s operations meet the appropriate government policies and regulations. Their inputs are used by the management to devise action plans and are invaluable for the smooth functioning of their organizations.
Roles and Responsibilities of a CISA Information Systems Auditor
Besides taking on the primary role of planning their organization’s information systems audit strategy, a CISA information systems auditor collaborates with the management to implement and monitor the audit strategy. Thus, they go beyond their usual duties and enhance the organizational operations by tracking the audit control and aligning them with the organizational goals.
Here are the roles and responsibilities of a CISA:
- Planning the audit strategy according to the organizational requirements.
- Implementing the audit strategy and monitoring the audit controls.
- Sharing the audit results with the management and providing recommendations.
- Aligning the security infrastructure of the organizations and overseeing the IT portfolio.
- Assessing compliance and regulatory protocols of various governing bodies and nations.
- Ensuring the organization’s operations adhere to the governance guidelines.
How to become a CISA?
As discussed above, a CISA-certified professional performs information systems audits and maintains their organization’s security infrastructure. Individuals who want to become CISA-certified professionals must pass a comprehensive examination conducted by ISACA. These professionals can register for a CISA Certification Training Course to prepare for the examination and earn this valuable CISA credential. However, the competitive nature and high credential value have made it challenging to attain the CISA certification.
Before appearing for the CISA examination, they must apply for the CISA credential and comply with the ISACA’s Information Systems Auditing Standards. ISACA recommends applicants to prove at least five years of working experience in information systems auditing and relevant fields before applying for the CISA credential. These five years of work experience requirements can be reduced or exempted if a candidate holds specific educational qualifications recommended by ISACA. Also, CISA aspirants must adhere to the ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics and fulfill the CPE requirements to maintain their certification. By doing this, CISA-holders can prolong their licenses and stay updated with the latest auditing practices of information systems.
Conclusion
A CISA-certified professional plans, manages, and monitors their organization’s information systems. These knowledgeable and skilled professionals are responsible for developing the information system audit strategy and leading the implementation of audit controls to attain the organizational objectives. Organizations that hire CISA-certified auditors are better equipped to prevent cybersecurity threats and ensuring their information systems are secured.
