- 1.Our CISA certification guide breaks down what matters most. CISA is the gold standard for IT audit and governance professionals, with ISACA certification recognized globally
- 2.Average salary premium of $15,000-$20,000 over non-certified peers, with median salaries reaching $135,000 according to ISACA Salary Survey 2024
- 3.Requires 5 years of IT audit/security/governance experience (or substitutions) plus passing a 4-hour, 150-question exam
- 4.Best for IT auditors, security analysts, compliance officers, and governance professionals seeking career advancement
150
Exam Questions
4 Hours
Exam Duration
$135K
Average Salary
5 Years
Experience Required
What is CISA Certification?
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a globally recognized certification for IT audit, control, and security professionals. Administered by ISACA, CISA validates expertise in auditing, controlling, monitoring, and assessing information systems and technology.
Unlike technical security certifications like CISSP that focus on hands-on implementation, CISA emphasizes audit, governance, and risk management from a business perspective. It's ideal for professionals who assess and improve IT controls rather than implement them.
- Audit Focus: Evaluating IT controls, processes, and compliance frameworks
- Business Alignment: Understanding how IT supports business objectives and risk management
- Governance Expertise: Knowledge of IT governance frameworks like COBIT and ISO 27001
- Global Recognition: Accepted in 200+ countries with over 140,000 certified professionals
Source: ISACA
CISA Certification Requirements
CISA requires both professional experience and exam success. The experience requirement can be fulfilled through various combinations of education and work experience.
| Requirement | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience | 5 years | IT audit, control, or security |
| Education Substitution | Up to 3 years | Bachelor's degree = 1 year, Master's = 2 years |
| Certification Substitution | Up to 2 years | CISSP, CPA, CIA, etc. |
| Exam Passing Score | 450 (scaled) | Out of 800 points |
| Continuing Education | 120 CPE hours | Every 3 years |
Source: [ISACA CISA Requirements](https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cisa)
The experience requirement is flexible. For example, someone with a cybersecurity degree and 3 years of IT audit experience would qualify, as the degree substitutes for 1-2 years of experience depending on the level.
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CISA Exam Details and Study Guide
The CISA exam tests knowledge across five domains that cover the complete IT audit lifecycle.
| Est. Questions | Key Focus Areas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Auditing Process | 21% | 32 | Audit planning, risk assessment, reporting |
| Governance and Management of IT | 16% | 24 | IT governance, strategy, policies |
| Information Systems Acquisition | 18% | 27 | System development, project management |
| Information Systems Operations | 20% | 30 | Operations, maintenance, service management |
| Protection of Information Assets | 25% | 37 | Security controls, risk management, compliance |
150 multiple-choice questions delivered via computer-based testing at Pearson VUE centers worldwide.
Key Skills
Scenario-based questions that test practical application of audit concepts in real-world situations.
Key Skills
Best CISA Study Resources and Preparation Strategy
Effective CISA preparation requires 150-300 hours of study depending on your background. Combine official ISACA materials with practice questions for best results.
CISA Study Plan (3-6 Months)
Month 1: Foundation Building
Read ISACA CISA Review Manual cover-to-cover. Focus on understanding audit frameworks, COBIT, and IT governance concepts. Take notes on each domain.
Month 2-3: Domain Deep Dive
Study each domain intensively using ISACA Review Questions and online courses. Focus heavily on Protection of Information Assets (25% weight).
Month 4-5: Practice and Weak Areas
Take multiple practice exams, identify weak domains, and focus study on gaps. Use QAE Database for additional practice questions.
Month 6: Final Preparation
Review all notes, take final practice exams scoring 75%+, and schedule the exam. Focus on time management during practice.
| Resource Type | Best Options | Cost | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Materials | CISA Review Manual, QAE Database | $400-600 | Essential |
| Online Courses | InfoSec Institute, Simplilearn | $300-800 | Good for structure |
| Practice Exams | ISACA Official, Hemang Doshi | $100-200 | Critical for success |
| Bootcamps | 5-day intensive courses | $2000-4000 | Fast but expensive |
Source: ISACA and student reviews
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CISA Career Paths and Job Opportunities
CISA certification opens doors to senior-level positions in IT audit, risk management, and compliance. Most CISA holders work in consulting firms, financial services, government agencies, and large corporations.
Career Paths
IT Audit Manager
SOC 13-1111Lead IT audit teams, develop audit programs, and report findings to senior management and audit committees.
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Assess security controls, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with security frameworks.
Compliance Officer
SOC 13-1041Ensure organizational compliance with regulations like SOX, GDPR, and industry-specific requirements.
Risk Management Specialist
SOC 13-1199Identify, assess, and mitigate technology risks across enterprise organizations.
CISA Certification Salary Impact and ROI
CISA certification consistently ranks among the highest-paying IT certifications, with significant salary premiums across all experience levels.
| Premium | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Audit Manager | $142,000 | $125,000 | +$17,000 |
| Security Analyst | $118,000 | $95,000 | +$23,000 |
| Compliance Officer | $125,000 | $108,000 | +$17,000 |
| Risk Manager | $135,000 | $118,000 | +$17,000 |
| IT Consultant | $165,000 | $145,000 | +$20,000 |
Source: ISACA Salary Survey 2024
CISA vs Other Security Certifications
CISA complements other security certifications but serves a different purpose. Here's how it compares to popular alternatives:
| Certification | Focus | Best For | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA | IT Audit & Governance | Auditors, compliance officers | $135,000 |
| CISSP | Security Architecture | Security managers, architects | $142,000 |
| CISM | Security Management | Security managers, CISOs | $152,000 |
| CEH | Ethical Hacking | Penetration testers | $95,000 |
| CompTIA Security+ | Security Fundamentals | Entry-level security roles | $75,000 |
Source: Various salary surveys 2024
Which Security Certification Should You Choose?
- You work in IT audit, compliance, or risk management
- You want to focus on governance and business alignment
- You prefer evaluating controls over implementing them
- You work for Big 4 consulting, financial services, or government
- You design and implement security architectures
- You want broad security knowledge across all domains
- You're targeting CISO or security leadership roles
- You work in hands-on security implementation
- You manage information security programs
- You want to focus on security strategy and governance
- You're already in security management
- You want the highest salary potential
Should You Get CISA Certification in 2026?
CISA is worth pursuing if your career path aligns with IT audit, governance, or compliance roles. The certification provides strong ROI but requires significant time investment.
Professionals in audit, compliance, risk management, and consulting roles who want career advancement.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Big 4 firms
- • Financial services
- • Government agencies
Your role focuses on hands-on security implementation rather than audit and governance.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • CISSP for architecture
- • CEH for penetration testing
- • Security+ for fundamentals
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Common Concerns
Honest feedback from bootcamp graduates and industry professionals
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CISA Certification FAQ
Related Security Certifications
Related Career Paths
Additional Resources
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.