The Certified Information System Auditor, or CISA, has become a brand in its own right in the cyber security world. CISA Certification is the most popular option among software professionals looking to upgrade their careers and become cyber crime fighters. CISAs earn anything between 6 lakhs to 24 lakhs annually. However, clearing the certification exam and entering the position of cybersecurity expert in a reputed company is no small feat. So, in this article, we look at some of the most important things to remember on your journey to land a high-paying job through CISA certification.
Career Benefits of a CISA Certification
Specializing as an IT Auditor and earning the CISA certification is a highly worthwhile step for anyone interested in fields such as technology, risk assessment, and data analytics.
Here are some of the most prominent benefits of CISA certification.
It is a globally recognized credential:
Having a CISA certification immediately makes you a globally qualified professional, as you could work in any country. Acquiring your CISA accreditation will help you pursue a career in both public and private enterprises worldwide. With a growing global economy, employees must also learn to think and act globally. The CISA credential is a good way to demonstrate that your skills are globally adaptable.
Blockchain market has a huge demand for experts:
As the IT field grows, there is an unprecedentedly high demand for qualified and certified professionals who can analyze and defend information system assets. Due to its unparalleled reputation and recognition in the field of IT auditing, a CISA certification can lead to a variety of opportunities. There are employers who even make certification a requirement for employment.
Be at the forefront of a dynamic business environment:
Anyone who enjoys variety and wishes to be on the cutting edge of technology is best suited for an IT Auditing role. As information systems are one of the most vibrant areas of our changing business world, obtaining the CISA certification will help you demonstrate to potential employers that you are up to the challenge of tackling modern cybersecurity issues. Moreover, these days, information systems are used to perform more and more accounting functions too. Hence, as a CISA-certified IT Auditor, you will be working in a forward-thinking and fast-moving sector.
Obtain a lucrative salary:
As IT Auditors are specialists, they earn higher salary packages than other auditing professionals. Moreover, if you have a CISA credential, it shows companies that you are an expert in the field and well-qualified for the job. This naturally gives you an edge in terms of remuneration compared to your peers. CISA-certified professionals earn between 8 lakhs and 16 lakhs annually as of 2023.
Diverse growth prospects:
With the advent of new software and apps on a daily basis, information systems and technology are moving forward at an ever faster pace. Hence, in the field of IT auditing, possessing your CISA certification will position you to advance quickly to a senior or managerial role compared to your peers.
Job Opportunities after CISA:
Today, most major organizations employ the services of a Certified Information Systems Auditor to verify that the standards of information technology and business systems prescribed by CISA are implemented. Even during recessions and bouts of unemployment, the demand for CISA-certified auditors grows more rapidly. Currently, there are more jobs available for professionals with CISA credentials than for certified auditors. Some of the popular job opportunities for CISA-certified professionals are listed below:
- IT Audit Manager: IT Audit Managers are responsible for keeping an eye on IT systems to ensure that the auditors are following policies and procedures. Their responsibilities include assessing technology, managing personnel, establishing controls, and maintaining records.
- IT Auditor: An IT Auditor acts as a management consultant whose job is to examine the company’s operations and look for opportunities for process improvement. They serve as observers communicating with all departments through interviews of their personnel and assessment of data and papers.
- IS Analyst: An IS Analyst or Information Systems Analyst is a professional who conducts cost-effective research and analysis to identify how information technology might help a company’s operations and growth.
- Chief Information Officer (CIO): The Chief Information Officer (CIO) controls a company’s IT organization’s people, processes, and technologies to ensure that they deliver results that support the company’s goals.
- Information Security Officer: Information Security Officers are tasked with keeping an eye on the organization’s IT system for security threats, setting protocols for identifying and neutralizing attacks and keeping anti-virus software up to date to keep threats at bay.
- IT Risk and Assurance Manager: An IT Risk and Assurance Manager oversees a company’s technological use. Their responsibilities include ensuring that IT systems are well-structured to support the company’s business objectives. Moreover, they must identify potential risks and develop protocols that employees should follow in order to reduce or manage such risks. Additionally, they monitor the IT systems to ensure their security and also ensure that the systems are not breached in the instance of an attack.
- IT Consultant: IT Consultants often function as external analysts who are tasked with assessing a company’s IT systems and assisting the organization in achieving its business goals. The chief responsibilities of an IT Consultant include understanding a client’s business needs, analyzing and diagnosing a company’s IT infrastructure, and building and implementing a technological solution. Moreover, they are responsible for everything from repairing computers to network management and maintenance.
- Internal Auditor: An IT Internal Auditor (IA) is a certified professional who delivers independent and impartial assessments of a company’s financial as well as operational business activities. They are generally hired to guarantee that businesses follow all the proper procedures and run smoothly.
