Frequently asked questions

• Why is getting certified an important part of a career as an information security auditor?

  • Earning a highly-regarded certification like the CISA establishes the cert holder as a knowledgeable and competent auditing professional. The certification itself is often used as a hard requirement for candidates seeking employment in the IS industry, and recruiters keep an eye out for it when reviewing resumes/CVs.

• What does this CISA training course provide that other offerings do not?

  • Infosec’s training has won over 40 awards, and we boast the highest pass rate in the industry at 94%! Our training boot camp is structured around the core areas of the CISA exam to give you a real sense of the material you will encounter on the test. We also offer an Exam Pass Guarantee for Flex Pro students to give the peace of mind you need to study effectively!

• What are the pre-requirements for taking the CISA?

  • To receive the CISA certification, applicants must submit verified evidence of a minimum of five years of professional information systems auditing, control, or security work experience. This must be gained within a ten-year time period before the application date for certification, or alternatively within five years of originally passing the exam. However, waivers for work experience can be acquired in a number of circumstances. Click here for more information about CISA pre-requirements and waivers.

• What qualifies as information security auditing experience?

  • ISACA has provided a CISA Certification Job Practice page that defines what qualifies as information security auditing experience — and divides these into five domains. Click here to view each domain’s task statements.

• How does the CISA examination process work?

  • CISA candidates must complete a 150-question multiple choice exam within a four hour time limit. They must also achieve a 450 passing mark on ISACA’s 200-800 point scale in order to become certified. Click here for more detailed scoring information.

• Is the live online CISA boot camp as effective and informative as an in-person training session?

  • Absolutely! Our live online Flex pro students receive the same course resources and attention from instructors as in-person participants — plus additional training features and benefits like an Exam Pass Guarantee.

• How is the CISA related to the DoD 8570?

  • The Department of Defense Directive 8570 requires anyone seeking a government job to hold specific certifications before they can be hired in a position related to information systems/security. The CISA fulfills the DoD 8570’s IAT Level III and CSSP Auditor requirements.

• What material is covered on the CISA exam?

  • There are five domains of job practice areas that CISA candidates are examined on. They are as follows: The Process of Auditing Information Systems (21% of the exam), Governance & Management of IT (16% of the exam), Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation (18% of the exam), Information Systems Operations, Maintenance & Service Management (20% of the exam), and Protection of Information Assets (25% of the exam). For a more in-depth breakdown of the five domains, click here to visit Infosec’s overview article, or click here to visit ISACA’s Job Practice Areas page.

• How is the CISA certification different from other comparable security certifications?

  • Due to ISACA’s emphasis on candidates possessing a breadth of work experience and professional accomplishment, the CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) has become the IS industry’s preferred certification program around the world. The CISA is specialized for high standards of IS auditing, while other certifications—such as the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)—are more generalized.

• How does the CISA experience waiver work?

  • Waivers for work experience can be acquired in a number of circumstances, with a maximum of up to three years waived. For example, completing 60 to 120 university semester credit hours, equivalent to acquiring a 2-year or 4-year degree, can be substituted for 1 or 2 years of work experience, respectively. A max of 1 year of information systems experience or 1 year or non-IS auditing experience can also be substituted for 1 year of work experience. Click here for more detailed waiver information.

• How long is the CISA certification valid after you pass the test? What are the renewal requirements to maintain certification?

  • As with other ISACA certifications, the CISA will remain valid as long as holders participate in their continuing education program and pay an annual maintenance fee. 20 CPE credit hours must be logged and verified annually in order for the certification to remain active. Click here for more information on earning CPE credits.

• Is a CISA exam voucher included with the purchase of this course?

  • Yes! All participants of Infosec’s training boot camp receive their CISA exam voucher free.

• What are some tips for preparing for the CISA?

  • Enrolling in a training boot camp like Infosec’s is a fantastic way to get hands-on experience with CISA exam material, as well as one-on-one instructor feedback for whatever specialized questions you might have. ISACA also provides CISA exam resources that you might find beneficial. Click here for more tips to help you prepare.

• What is the job outlook for CISA certified professionals?

  • Job recruiters keep an eye out for candidates holding a CISA, because this certification proves that the candidate is well-equipped to handle the daily job requirements of an information security auditor.

• What are common job titles for CISA certified professionals?

  • Common job titles include: Information Security Manager, Internal Auditing Manager, Information Technology (IT) Auditor, and many more.

• What is the average CISA salary?

  • The average salary range for CISA-certified professionals ranges from $52,459 to $122,326, depending on job title, work experience, location, and other factors. Click here for a more detailed breakdown of CISA salary data.