Is CISA certification worth going for?
CISA
Enterprise data
has always been at risk of data breaches over the years. However, the number of
cyberattacks have increased exponentially over the years. Databases, data
centres and social accounts of enterprises have been hacked, leaving them
vulnerable to the misuse, manipulation and destruction of data. Most of these
attacks can be prevented, as according to Cybint, 95% of breaches in
cybersecurity are due to human error. With the advanced cybersecurity tools and
technology available today, many preventive measures can be taken to avoid such
attack attempts. Business organizations have been looking for professional
system architects who can help them identify and avoid such threats to their
systems and networks. But organizations don’t just randomly hire anyone
claiming to be a system architect. They need proof of a professional’s skills
and talent. Here is where a CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
professional plays a role. Like CISSP, CISA is also a
well-known and highly valued certification for IT architects. What makes this
certification worth the effort and who should apply to become a CISA-certified
professional? Let’s find out.
Is CISA Worth It?
The Certified
Information Systems Auditor certification is governed by the Information
Systems Audit and Control Association. They are responsible for and manage the
CISA certification exam. The objective of this certification is to test its
candidates on the various topics that are a part of the CISA job role and
certification exam. The topics are categorised into 5 groups, which are:
- IS
(Information Systems) Auditing Process
- IT
Governance
- IS
Acquisition Development and Implementation
- IS
Operations and Business Resilience
- Protection
of Information Assets
These
domains make up the five pillars of the CISA certification. On completing
these, candidates achieve the confidence and skills to work under IT architects
within the IT industry. There are several topics within this exam. The
certification exam is made up of 150 questions that you need to complete within
four hours. If you are looking to make a career in the IT sector, clearing the
CISA certification exam should be your goal. This exam is the only thing that
stands between you and a CISA certification. Let us now take a look at the
basics and the requirements for you to get certified.
CISA
Overview
Appearing for
the CISA certification exam is not as easy as walking in and attempting it. You
need to meet certain eligibility criteria, the foremost prerequisite issued
by ISACA being that
a candidate should have work experience of 5-6 years. This could be any type of
training that involves day to day working with security systems. The only thing
you need to ensure is that they fall under the 5 topics required for the
examination. This means if you have just recently graduated, this certification
course is not for you, yet.
However, ISACA
makes exceptions to the 5-year work experience rule. They waive off 2 years
from the required 5 years in a situation where the candidate has an
associate-level certification with a year of work experience. With a
bachelor’s degree, you can apply for a 2-year waiver, while a master’s degree
in any field of information technology makes you eligible for a waiver of 3
years. This can help you to save precious time.The fundamental step is to
actually take the exam and pass it by scoring equal to or more than the
required passing marks. You also have the option of appearing for the exam
even though you do not have the required work experience. However, you cannot
claim your certification until you meet the requirement. In such a situation,
it is advised to get work experience before your certification expires.
CISA Certification Cost and Development
There is an
annual fee that you need to pay as mandated by ISACA. But if you are a member
of ISACA, you are eligible for a member concession. However, with the
maintenance fees, one must also apply for 20 hours of CPE in a year. CPE works
in your favour because it helps you with IT auditing and enhances your skills
too. To complete the required hours of CPE, you must attend conferences. ISACA
has many valuable and helpful conferences that you can attend, both physically
and virtually. One can also sign up for online training lectures; they can be
volunteers for ISAC, take up quizzes and much more.
Advantages of a CISA Certification
The most
important reason one must take the CISA
certification is
the highly rewarding payout. The average salary of a CISA certified
professional is around $90,000 to $100,000 annually.
This salary for
someone who is just five years out of college is a handsome figure. Hence the
exam costs and maintenance fees are all worth it when you clear the CISA exam
and finally attain your certification. It is almost like an investment that
gives you profits for the rest of your life.
Additionally,
the CISA certification meets the regulations of DOD Direction 8140. Hence, CISA
certified professionals are given good job roles with the federal government as
well. This is a dream job of many, where the security and benefits that come
with this job are unmatched.
To add to that,
a CISA certification has the reputation of a credential that enjoys a lot of perks.
But the dedication that is required to achieve and update your CISA
certification regularly is difficult. So a certified professional proves that
they are ambitious and want to achieve bigger goals in their career. It has the
power to put you on the radar to become a good leader someday.
Are There Any Disadvantages of the CISA Certification?
The biggest con
of a CISA certification is the dedication and level of commitment one requires
to pass the exam. The maintenance fees and the long hours of study are a lot to
ask for, especially for a fresher.
There are many
candidates who drop out of the exam because they cannot take the pressure or
because they do not have the time required to commit to the exam.
But the choice
is always yours. To achieve something, you must be prepared to devote your time
and energy to it. The exam is not easy to crack but it is surely worth all your
efforts. Another important certification you can opt for is the CISSP
credential. But both these certifications are quite fundamentally different
from each other. There are also many other certifications that you can opt for.
But not all are CISA and not all of them offer a high paying salary, especially
for freshers who have just started in the industry.
So, what’s the conclusion? Is the CISA certification
worth it?
The answer
depends on your career goals. If you are aiming for a high-paying career in the
IT industry, then this certification is meant for you. The CISA certification
is highly recommended by many industry professionals as it opens several new
avenues and opportunities for your career in the early stages. According to
Accenture, about 68% of businesses are certain their cyber security risks
continue to rise. This means there are many more job opportunities that will be
created, making this a secure career option for you. So go ahead, give your
career the boost it deserves and enrol in a CISA certification course today.
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