CISA is in Demand: Job Outlook for CISA Professionals

CISA is in Demand: Job Outlook for CISA Professionals

As the IT industry experiences exponential growth, so does its demand for skilled professionals. One of the most in-demand skills is that of a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). With organizations striving for constant improvement to remain competitive, the role of a CISA professional is crucial as they help identify opportunities for optimization. 

This has resulted in a growing demand for CISA professionals. Let us take a closer look at the job outlook for this profession and how to get certified. 

What Is a CISA Professional? 

A CISA professional or a Certified Information Systems Auditor is someone who has successfully acquired the CISA certification that validates their expertise in auditing, monitoring, and assessing IT systems. The certification is provided by ISACA or Information Systems Audit and Control Association–a global certifying body on IT governance. 

Individuals with CISA certification are thoroughly trained in the following five job practice areas: 

• Information systems auditing process 
• Governance and management of IT 
• Information systems acquisition, development, and implementation 
• Information systems operations and business resilience 
• Protection of information assets 

Using this expertise, CISA professionals can collect and analyze an organization’s data to identify and prevent issues like non-compliance and fraudulent activities. They then compile the information into reports that are shared with leaders of the organization, along with actionable solutions and suggestions. 

CISA professionals may be responsible for performing audits and quality checks on an organization’s computer systems, programming workflows, databases, and data management. They also help with implementing governance, controls, and security best practices, along with necessary maintenance. 

Depending on their job title, some CISA professionals may evaluate an organization’s existing IT systems to look for inefficiencies and assist with optimization. They help guide the implementation of new systems and the development of processes and procedures to improve efficiency. 

CISA professionals may hold different job titles such as IT auditor, systems analyst, risk manager, information security consultant, or information security analyst. 

Job Outlook for CISA Professionals 

As organizations become more reliant on technology in their day-to-day operations, there will be a need for more secure and efficient systems. With this, the demand for CISA professionals is expected to grow. 

For example, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects that there will be a 7% increase in jobs for computer systems analysts between 2020 and 2030. This amounts to 42,800 new jobs added during the decade. Moreover, they can expect a median pay of $99,270 per year or $47.73 per hour. 

Meanwhile, IT auditors can expect an average base pay of $95,772, according to Indeed. These figures may change depending on the city and the company you are working in. In cities like New York, for example, IT auditors make an average salary of $128,126 per year. 

While the pay scale varies across roles, PayScale reports that CISA professionals as a whole earn an average salary of $107,000 per year. Therefore, becoming a Certified Information Systems Auditor could prove to be highly lucrative in terms of salary and job prospects. 

Who Should Earn a CISA? 

Overall, CISA certification is ideal for individuals who want to attain advanced auditing skills and get certified. It is recommended for IT auditors, systems analysts, risk managers, and information security consultants who want to expand their knowledge and gain certification to advance in their cybersecurity careers. 

CISA is an advanced-level professional certification and is, therefore, most suitable for individuals with some working experience in a related field. To get certified, ISACA requires that you have at least five years of professional experience working with information systems auditing, control, or security. However, if you are new to the industry, you still have up to five years after passing the exam to gain the work experience required for certification. 

This certification is ideal for individuals with an existing cybersecurity career and an entry-level certification as it allows them to move up the career ladder. With CISA being a globally-recognized certification, it is also a good option for professionals who plan on building a cybersecurity career overseas. 

Ways to Train for and Earn Your CISA Certification 

Earning a CISA certification requires you to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and competency in the field by successfully passing the CISA exam. Individuals are also expected to have several years of relevant work experience to get certified. Therefore, the process of preparing for the exam and building your experience in the industry can be extremely challenging. 

The ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor exam is a 4-hour long exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions will cover the five areas of information systems auditing highlighted above. 

Individuals planning to sit for the exam will have to pay a fee to register. Registration costs $760 for non-ISACA members and $575 for ISACA members. Some training courses also come with vouchers, so you do not have to pay an additional fee for exam registration. 

At ed2go, you can choose from two ways to train for your CISA exam. 

ISACA CISA Training Boot Camp 

The ISACA CISA Training Boot Camp is an accelerated training program powered by Infosec. Training is conducted through live, instructor-led sessions over five days. It extensively prepares you to successfully pass the CISA exam and covers all five information systems auditing areas. This boot camp will also provide you with the necessary skills for developing, managing, and supervising programs intended to protect against unauthorized access. 

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) 

The Certified Information Systems Auditor course is a 100% online self-paced training program that extensively prepares you to sit for the CISA exam. You have the freedom to start this course at any time, after which you will have six months to complete the course at your own pace. This makes it a suitable option for individuals with a hectic schedule and other commitments to manage. 

Become a CISA Professional 

Considering the growing demand for CISA professionals and the salary prospects, this is the perfect time to earn your certification. Make sure you enroll in a training program from a reputable institution to thoroughly prepare to successfully pass your CISA exam.