Today’s Best IT Audit Certifications: A Complete Guide

IT auditors are responsible to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization’s system by analyzing the IT system, its application and associated processes. They also make sure that the organization’s information is not exposed to any external security risk or threat. In today’s world of information technology, there are numerous opportunities for an IT expert. Though the demand is high but at the same time, the competition is also high. In this scenario, IT audit certifications help to prove your skills and expertise for the relevant job positions. In addition to speaking for your skills, several IT audit certifications offered by various vendors help you to polish your skills in a focused domain like cyber security, cloud security etc. though the certifications are not necessary for a job but these IT audit certifications help you boost the efficiency of your career to reach your goal. If you are also looking for a certification that suits your interest best then this article contains a complete guide for you. Avail the certification related to you and give your career wings to fly.

1. CISA (Certified Information System Auditor Certification)

CISA (Certified Information System Auditor Certification) is hosted by ISACA and covers the following domains.

• Auditing Information Systems
• Governance and Management of IT
• Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
• Information Systems Operations, Maintenance and Support
• Protection of Information Assets

Prerequisites of the certification

CISA certification demands hands-on experience of five years in auditing the IT system, managing and controlling security and relevant control work.  After passing the exam for this certification, you will be required to adhere to the code of professional ethics and continue the Professional Education Program of CISA with 20 contact hours.

Pattern of the exam

CISA exam follows the following pattern.

• The total number of questions is 150.
• All questions are multiple-choice questions.
• Four hours are allowed to complete the exam.
• A passing score of 450 is required.
• CISA requires renewal after every three years.
• It costs $760 USD.

Introduction To CISA | CISA Training Videos | Overview of CISA | ISACA CISA Introduction

2. GSNA (GIAC Systems and Network Auditors)

GIAC Systems and Network Auditors certification is offered by GIAC to assess the candidate’s risk analysis techniques. GSNA focuses on the following domains.

• Audit Concepts & Methodology
• Audit Networking devices and services
• Auditing Unix Systems
• Auditing Windows Systems
• Web Application Security

Prerequisites of GSNA

There are no prerequisites for GSNA and even a beginner can avail of the certification.

Pattern of the exam

GSNA follows the following pattern.

• The total number of questions is 115.
• The time allowed is three hours.
• 73% marks are required d to pass the exam.
• Certification requires renewal after four years. It can be renewed by taking the exam again and paying the fee.
• The exam fee is $2499 USD.

3. CIA (Certified Internal Audit)

Certified Internal Audit certification is the globally recognized certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors. The certification offers skills to the candidates which make them competent enough for the internal audit market. The certification covers the relevant domains which are as follows.

• Internal Audit Activity’s Role in governance, risk analysis and control
• Conducting the internal audit engagement
• Business analysis and information technology
• Business management skills

Prerequisites of CIA

The prerequisites of the CIA are as follows.

• Candidate must have acquired a minimum of bachelor’s degree or two years of after school degree with five years of experience.
• The candidate also must have two years of experience as an internal auditor. This s experience requirement is one year in case the candidate has a Master’s degree.
• Character reference of a candidate should be signed by CISA, CFSA, and CGAP.
• To continue with the certification, an active practitioner CIA holder will require 40 CIA CPE contact hours annually.

CIA exam pattern

The pattern of the CIA exam is as follows.

• There are 180 questions to answer.
• Questions are multiple-choice questions
• Time of five hours is allowed to complete the exam.
• To pass the exam, the candidate is required to score 70% marks.
• The exam fee is $395

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) | CIA Exam Tips 2023 | CIA Course Details | CIA Eligibility

4. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional – Architecture (CISSP) is offered by (ISC)². The certification serves the role of an architect in a firm that is concerned with the information security department and the management of the system. Following are domains of CISSP certification.

• Security and Risk Management
• Security of assets
• Security Architecture and Engineering
• Communications and Network Security
• Identity and Access Management
• Security Assessment and Testing
• Security Operations
• Software Development Security

Prerequisites of CISSP

A candidate for CISSP is required to have five or more years of hands-on experience in any two domains of CISSP’s CBK. If a candidate has four years of a college degree, then it will fulfil the requirement of one year of relevant experience.

Pattern of the exam

The pattern followed by the CISSP exam is as follows.

• There are 100-150 questions to answer.
• Questions are multiple-choice questions and advanced innovative items.
• Time of three hours is allowed to complete the exam.
• To pass the exam, a candidate is required to score 700 marks.
• The exam fee is $699 USD.
• The certification is valid for three years.

Learn In detail information about Latest Cissp Exam Here

5. CRISC (Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control)

Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is designed for IT experts which are associated with experience in risk assessment, vulnerability assessment, evaluation, mitigation, and monitoring and Information Security management. Domains of CRISC are as follows.

• IT Risk Identification
• IT Risk Assessment
• Risk Response and Mitigation
• Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting

Prerequisites of CRISC

The prerequisites for the Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) include three years of hands-on experience in the concerned field of information security. Furthermore, a maintenance fee and 20 CPE contact hours annually are necessary to maintain the certification. For the three year period, a limit of 120 CPPE contact hours is set.

Pattern of the exam

CRISC follows the following pattern for the exam.

• There are 150 questions to answer.
• The question type is multiple-choice questions.
• A time period of 240 minutes is allowed to complete the exam.
• To pass the exam, a candidate is required to score 450 marks out of 800.
• The exam fee is $575 USD if you are a member and if you are not it is $760 USD.
• The certification is valid for a year and requires renewal after that.

6. IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITILF)

IT Information Library Foundation Certification (ITILF) is offered by Axelos and is designed to focus on the necessary skills of staff required for IT management in an enterprise. The certification makes the candidate able to utilize and manage the IT supports system in a way to fulfil the needs of the business. The domains focused by ITILF are

• Service Strategy
• Service Design
• Transition of service
• Operation of service
• Continued service improvement

Prerequisites of ITILF

There are no particular prerequisites for the ITILF certifications.

Pattern of the exam

Pattern followed by the exam is as follows

• There are 40 questions to answer.
• The question type is multiple-choice questions.
• A time period of 60 minutes is allowed to complete the exam.
• To pass the exam, a candidate is required to score 65% marks.
• Depending on location, the exam fee ranges from $150 USD to $760 USD.
• The certification does not require renewal.

7. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is offered by ISACA and is developed for expert security managers. The certification is focused on the skills relevant to management, design and assessment of information security. The certification justifies the position of the holder and proves that the candidate is well equipped with all the focused skills. Domains followed by CISM are as follows.

• Information Security Governance
• Information Risk Management
• Information Security Program Development and Management
• Information Security Incident Management

Prerequisites of CISM

To earn the certification, the candidate is required to have five years of working experience out of which three or more years of experience should be in information security management.

Pattern of exam

The pattern followed by the exam for CISM certification is as follows

• There are a total of 150 questions.
• The time allowed to complete the exam is 4 hours.
• The question type is multiple-choice questions.
• A candidate is required to score 450 marks out of 800.
• The exam fee is $575 USD if you are a member and if you are not it is $760 USD.
• The certification is valid for three years.

Which is Better CISSP or CISM?

8. Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)

CRMA is offered by IIA to facilitate the candidates with the responsibility of risk analysis, governance, quality assurance and assessment. The certification focuses on the skills relevant to the evaluation of enterprise and risk management. The domains focused in CRMA are as follows.

• Internal audit roles and responsibilities
• Risk management governance
• Risk management assurance

Prerequisites of the exam

The certification requires five years of experience from the candidate as an auditor. Furthermore, four years of bachelors’ education is also required.

Pattern of exam

The pattern followed by the CRMA exam is as follows

• The exam consists of 125 questions.
• The question type is multiple choice questions and advanced questions.
• The time allowed to complete the exam is 150 minutes.
• The candidate is required to score 600 marks to pass the exam.
• The exam fee is $790 USD if you are an IIA member, otherwise is $810 USD.

9. Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP)

Information System Security Management Professional is offered by (ISC)². It aims to polish and assess the skills relevant to information security management. The certification follows the following domains.

• Leadership and business management
• Systems lifecycle management
• Risk management
• Threat intelligence and incident management
• Contingency management
• Law, ethics and security compliance management

Prerequisites of ISSMP

ISSMP requires two years of experience in one or more of its focused domains.

Pattern of the exam

• The candidate is required to answer 125 questions.
• The time allowed to complete the exam is 3 hours.
• The question type is multiple-choice questions.
• The candidate is required to score 700 narks out of 1000.
• The exam fee is $599 USD.
• The certification is valid for three years.

Conclusion

The world has evolved into an IT-based world providing a lot of growth opportunities to IT professionals. If you are an IT professional and are looking for a way to boost your career as an IT aspirant then IT certification is the best way to do that. Several IT auditor certifications are offered by various vendors to help you polish your skills. These certifications not only help you to become an expert in your field but also speak for your expertise in your resume. So now pick the IT audit certification of your interest and pave your way to a successful career.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you become a certified IT auditor?

To become a certified auditor, all you have to do is to take an exam of certification of your choice like CIA, GSNA etc. and on passing the exam you will become a certified IT, auditor.

2. Which is the best certification for IT audit?

CISA hosted by ISACA is considered to be the oldest and the best audit certification because of its focused and detailed domains.

3. Is a CISA certification worth it?

In case you are a beginner in IT and want to pursue an IT auditor then CISA is all you need to boost the efficiency of your career as it will polish your basic skills and add to your understanding of information security management.

4. How much does the CISA exam cost?

If you are an ISACA member then the exam fee is $575 USD otherwise it is $760 USD.

5. Which IT audit certification is best for beginners?

CISA is ranked as the best IT audit certification as it has detailed domains that help a candidate to polish and assess his skills thoroughly.

6. How do I start an IT auditing career?

Earning a bachelor’s degree and then acquiring a good IT auditor certification like CISA can help you make a good start towards an IT auditing career.

7. What is the average IT auditor’s salary?

The average salary of an IT auditor is $94,342 USD.

8. What is the Qualification of an IT Auditor?

A bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, information technology, or another comparable subject is required. It’s also a plus if you have any of the following: Experience with an auditing program such as Audit Command Language (ACL) or an audit documentation tool Understanding of IT infrastructure. Proficiency in Microsoft Office

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