Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Jobs

Latest Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Jobs Listings

The Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) qualification is a way to further your career if you’re studying information systems. This designation is one of the most recognizable in information technology, so it can help advance your career.

What Is a CISA Certification?

As the CISA certification is an internationally-recognized qualification, strict standards are in place. You need to have relevant work experience and pass a four-hour exam. Even after you’ve earned the certification, you have to adhere to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Code of Professional Ethics.

Work Experience

ISACA requires CISA applicants to have five years of relevant work experience. Most people taking the exam have worked as information systems auditors, but other auditing experience also counts. You must have a minimum of one year as an auditor, either in the information systems field or not.

If you’ve earned a degree in the past ten years, it will count as some work experience. An associate’s degree represents one year of experience, and a bachelor’s degree replaces two years of experience.

People who furthered their education with a Master’s degree can use that education to replace a year of experience. The Master’s degree must be in one of these fields:

• Information Technology
• Information Security
• Cybersecurity
• Other technological disciplines

Anyone with at least two years of experience as a professor can let that count towards the CISA qualifications. Relevant fields for professorship include accounting, computer science, or information systems.

It’s best to have this work experience before taking the CISA exam, but it’s not required. ISACA gives you five years after the exam to fulfill these requirements. All relevant experience can’t be older than ten years by the time you sit for your exam.

CISA Exam

Most people spend anywhere from four to eight months studying for the exam. Once you’re ready, you have four hours to complete the exam, consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions.

ISACA divided the exam into five sections that mirror what you’ll encounter on the job as a CISA. They include:

• Information System Auditing Process
• IT Governance and Management
• Acquisition, Development, and Implementation of Information Systems
• Business Resilience and Operations of Information Systems
• Protection of Information Assets

You have to pay for the exam before registering to take it. Then, you have one year to take the exam after you pay. ISACA offers the exam at testing centers with live proctors or remote kiosks where proctors observe via webcam.

CISA Benefits

After earning your CISA certification from ISACA, you’ll receive membership benefits to continue your professional development. Since the field is constantly changing due to automation and other concerns, you need to keep up with the latest news. ISACA provides that through online courses.

Additional training is available as online webinars and at special workshops and conferences. You have access to career coaches and mentors with experience in the field.

These benefits aren’t restricted to CISA. If you decide to get other certifications, like CISM, CRISC, or CGEIT, you get a discount on the exam fees.

CISA Jobs

Everything you learn from the CISA study guides and the exam itself prepares you for computer science and cybersecurity work. Almost every industry uses computers and networks and needs auditors to protect their information from breaches.

After earning your CISA qualification, you can find work in various positions, including as:

• Information systems analyst
• IT audit manager
• IT project manager
• IT security officer
• IT risk and assurance manager
• IT consultant

Other fields need the skills you learn from your CISA certification, such as:

• Internal auditor
• Public accounting auditor
• Network operation security engineer
• Cybersecurity professional
• Privacy officer
• Chief information security officer

The United States Bureau of Labor projects that the demand for cybersecurity positions will grow 33% in the next ten years. This percentage is a drastic jump compared to other careers. The demand doesn’t mean that businesses will hire just anyone, though. People with professional certifications will always be a top choice.

CISA Career Paths

Not everyone who earns the CISA designation works as an auditor. This qualification opens you up to many other career possibilities.

Compliance Analyst

Compliance analysts work in any field that uses technology or manages a lot of data. The medical field uses analysts to protect patient information under HIPAA. Companies that sell merchandise online need analysts to track payments and protect customer accounts.

Risk Analyst

Every business can use a risk analyst to survey their systems for potential risks and proactively prevent security breaches. They can work in the financial field as well, helping firms with investment portfolios.

Data Protection Manager

A data protection manager works to protect any personal information a company has, whether it’s for their finances, employee records, or customers’ payment information. They audit the system to look for possible breaches and train employees on best practices when handling sensitive information.

Security Officer

The security officer oversees the entire security of a company. Because they have such a broad scope, they’re usually the head of a team that includes a data protection manager, risk analyst, compliance analyst, and other IT positions.

Benefits of CISA Certification

The CISA certification is the best-known qualification in IT auditing, so getting this designation will significantly increase your employment options. Hiring managers often look for this qualification listed on resumes before even checking other experience and education.

Base Salary

According to Payscale.com, the base salary for someone with a CISA qualification is $106,000. This amount will vary depending on your location, education, and previous job experience.

Salary Increases

With standard IT positions paying an average of $60,000, earning your CISA qualification gives you a major salary increase. The longer you’re in the field, the more you’ll earn. Pivoting from auditing to security is another way to ensure you’re making a salary at the high end of the spectrum.

In Closing

Anyone interested in computer science and information technology will benefit from studying for the CISA exam and getting this certification. You’ll learn everything you need from the exam, so you’re ready for on-the-job applications. Your salary will start higher than other IT positions, and this in-demand field is constantly growing.