How Long Does It Take to Get the CISA Certification?

The information systems arena offers diverse roles to IS and IT auditors. They include IS analyst, security officer, audit manager, privacy officer, public accounting auditor, internal auditor, project manager, chief information officer, IT consultant, IT risk and assurance manager, cybersecurity professional, etc. There is only one snag. CISA certification is essential for getting a job. It means that an applicant will study for the course and give a final certification exam at the end of it.

Now, if you are keen to enter the field, so many others are striving to obtain CISA certification as quickly as possible. At the same time, ensure that you approach a trustworthy trainer at a reputed institute.

A Briefing about CISA

The abbreviation stands for Certified Information Systems Auditor. This document tells the world that you have good knowledge about cybersecurity, security, assurance, auditing, governance, and control. You need to have no worries about the importance of your credentials for the ISACA is in charge. ISACA refers to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. Your newfound knowledge will permit you to help your organization monitor the security of its systems. You should find it easy to identify internal problems or potential threats from outsiders.

Coming back to the certification process, what is the duration for training?

Well, it depends upon what kind of training classes you would like to access. The ISACA itself offers several choices, provided you join it. which means that you become an ISACA member for 12 months by paying a subscription fee. If you do so, you might opt for an on-demand review or an online course. Alternatively, there are downloadable or print review manuals available. A third option is accessing review questions and obtaining answers with explanations from a specific database. Your fourth choice is applying for a visual instructor-led course.

Then again, if it is possible to be present in person for a four-day event organized by the ISACA, you may go ahead. In case your current employer would like a whole group to obtain CISA certification at one go, he/she may request direct training on the company's premises. Of course, ISACA is not the only organization offering CISA training. Other establishments, as mentioned earlier, are ready to set up boot camps or short-term classes too.

Pre-Requisites for CISA Certification

At the outset, you cannot apply for this certification without some professional experience in hand. Let us suppose that you have been an IT professional for 10 years or more. You must have worked at least five years as an IS auditor. Alternatively, you may have experience in the security or control arenas.

If you are unable to display so much of experience, you might try for a waiver. If you are lucky, the exemption will apply to three years of experience! However, you must prove that you have obtained an undergraduate/post-graduate degree from a specific university. This university must follow the ISACA-sponsored curriculum. If you have it, it will be akin to a year's professional experience.

Similarly, if you possess a post-graduate degree in IT or IS from a recognized university, it will substitute for a year of working experience. You should get a waiver of two years if you can show the authorities the equivalent of a two-year or four-year degree. Then again, one year as a non-IS auditor or IS auditor suffices as one year of working experience. Finally, if you have been an instructor at a university, albeit in a related field, you may request a waiver of one year. However, you must have worked full time for two years.

Nonetheless, ISACA is not very strict about these requirements. It will permit you to sit for the CISA certification exam even without the pre-requisites. However, you will not receive the certificate. Within the next five years, after clearing the exam, you will have to fulfill the pre-requisites. Then, you will receive the official document and credentials.

The CISA Examination

The examination paper comprises of 150 questions, covering five domains. They are all multiple-choice. You will have four hours to complete an article. The grading for the exam rests between a scale of 200 and 800 points. You will pass if you obtain 450 points or more.

What are the five domains covering security, audit, control?

1. Domain 1 focuses on the foundation of IT auditing. You will have to know how to plan and conduct audits, check the results, and maintain regular follow-ups of high-risk areas.
2. Domain 2 concentrates on evaluation procedures. The monitoring areas include the management of resources, portfolios, organizational structures, etc.
3. Domain 3 will tutor you on acquiring, developing, testing, and implementing IT systems. These steps should be such that you can help your organization meet its goals.
4. Domain 4 is a guideline for keeping all the processes concerned with IT operations, service management, and maintenance in line with your enterprise's business objectives.
5. Domain 5 emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality. The areas include privacy policies, security strategies, etc.

Concerning registering for the CISA examination, your registration fees will be lower if you are an ISACA member. However, you must pay before the due date. Of course, if you cross the due date, you will have to pay extra.

The CISA certification is not permanent. You will have to go in for a renewal every three years. Towards this end, you must have 20 hours of professional education annually, to your credit. The credits for every three years are 120 hours of vocational training. Apart from this, you will have to pay a maintenance fee every year after your certification. The charges differ for ISACA members and non-members.

Ask yourself if CISA certification is worth it, despite the lengthy duration. The answer will be in the affirmative! After all, you will have both an exciting career and an excellent salary!