CISA Certification Course

CISA, which stands for Certified Information Systems Auditor, is a standard designation given by Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). This is the global designation for experts in the field of auditing, control security, information systems, etc. CISA professionals need to have the knowledge and skills to meet the rapid and dynamic changes happening in the current IT-based world.

The CISA cost ranges from US$575 (Member Fee) to US$760 (Non-Member Fee) depending on factors such as the mode of registration and whether you are a registered member or not.

The CISA course exam is among the most difficult exams in the field of IT security. This examination is well-known for being tough to pass and having a low pass rate. ISACA evaluates the examination, but it has stopped publishing the details concerning the pass marks in the last few years. However, as per the feedback received from CISA candidates, who have either cleared or not cleared the examination, the passing score lies between 40 and 50 percent. Some of the main reasons why the CISA course examination is difficult are mentioned below:

• It is a paper-based exam, and candidates who have minimal knowledge and experience in taking this conventional type of exam are caught out, unlike several vendor-specific certification exams.
• The CISA certification exam does not require any official education background, allowing candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to register for the exam. However, this builds up an enormous level of competition.
• Generally, the questions asked in the exam are objective and vague. Numerous candidates often complain about the ambiguity and irrelevancy of the sample questions given by ISACA as they fail to meet the standards of the main exam.
• It emphasizes memory and rote learning. This is the common complaint about the questions in the CISA course exam as they involve the recollection of terminology and nomenclature from the syllabus of IT Security.

The steps that students need to take to prepare for the CISA certification exam are the following:

• Get acquainted with the CRM or CISA Review Manual, which is a one-stop study guide offered by ISACA for the CISA exam. It aims to prepare the students for the exam by giving detailed information on it. It also discusses the job responsibilities of CISA professionals.
• Candidates must revise the CISA review questions while preparing for the examination. ISACA has a comprehensive Review Questions Database that is an online document comprising explanations and practice questions and answers. The registered students have access to this database for 12 months for US$185, while non-members can access it for US$225.
• The CISA exam format requires the students to think like an Accountant or IT Auditor as this will sharpen their skills in making decisions during hypothetical situations and managing several tasks simultaneously, which will aid them to pass the CISA exam.
• ISACA offers a varied range of free online resources, and this collection can help individuals who wish to prepare for the CISA certification exam. Some of the resources that they can use to prepare for this exam include ‘The ISACA Candidate Information Guide,’ ‘The Information Security Audit and Assurance Guide,’ ISACA’s database of free-to-download whitepapers, ISACA’s CISA self-assessment test, and more. Our courseware can further help them gain in-depth knowledge and acquire the necessary skills to clear this exam.
• Aspirants must read several articles and blogs on CISA classes online, besides going through CISA CDs and CRM, to gain enough knowledge to crack the CISA exam. Blogs written by experts will help professionals by providing valuable information in the IT Security domain, which will make them capable of dealing with various types of CISA questions. Apart from this, the blogs will also provide updates and the latest news on the CISA examination. ISACA’s Blogs is among the best sources for several tips and tricks helpful for clearing the CISA exam, while risk3sixty is a blog maintained by IT Auditors who wish to prepare for the certification exam.
• It will be easier to crack the CISA exam if the candidates have practical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of IT Security. IT audits have similarities with resource and financial audits. However, they differ in terms of scope and the way they work with necessary information. Learners need to know audit scope, business processes, audit planning, reporting, etc. They can gain a basic understanding and experience by contacting IT auditing professionals, other Security professionals, and the Department of IT Security to learn about the responsibilities of CISA.
• The candidates should be able to manage their time and study hours by allocating the time frame necessary for each subject to gain skills. If they are working professionals, then it is suggested that they start to prepare for the examination at least 3–4 months prior to the exam and devote about one or two hours to study daily. Also, it is recommended that they plan their study as per their experience and profession.
• The coaches who aim to prepare the learners for the certification exam suggest specific timings for investing in the various resources while preparing for the exam. As per their suggestions, the learners should spend about 35–45 percent of study time on manuals, 15–20 percent on training, and the rest 35–40 percent on practice and simulation tests.
• The candidates need to keep a fresh mind so that they are ready to learn new modules and concepts of CISA as it is a rapidly changing and dynamic field with respect to its techniques and auditing principles.
• They need to manage the test efficiently to complete the examination within the given time, which is often difficult due to mismanagement. The aspirants can prepare themselves to increase the speed in answering the questions by solving question papers from the previous years, taking mock tests, etc., spending the required amount of time in the respective sections.
• They must sign up for some of the CSA forums and groups to get in touch with other CISA aspirants and old candidates. Here, they will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of information systems auditing, which will increase their chance of clearing the exam.
• They can go through the ISACA’s CISA Glossary of Terms to learn more about the technical terms in IT Security, especially if they are giving the exam in a language different than their first language.
• The aspirants can enroll in the best online CISA training offered by Intellipaat that is led by instructors who will make them master the significant modules and concepts of CISA to help them clear the certification exam and become certified professionals in CISA.
• Lastly, the candidates must brush up on their skills before they take the CISA online training course. They should also work on several industry-based projects to gain industry experience, which will help them land their dream job.

Although the CISA preparation course is not as difficult as people think, several candidates fail the examination in a single attempt. Experts believe that candidates fail the exam due to some of the reasons listed below:

• Candidates from a technical background often struggle with auditing and governance concepts. Although it is necessary to have technical expertise, it is crucial to know how to manage and audit various processes in IT Security.
• On the other hand, the students from the accounting and audit field prove to be excellent in these sections but have trouble in the technical parts of the exam. These aspirants must focus on the significant technical concepts that are part of the course.
• A lot of individuals who have prior experience tend to follow their own methods to work on difficult CISA questions, renouncing the standard prescribed methods of ISACA.

Some of the advantages of becoming CISA certified are mentioned below:

• It validates your knowledge, skills, and experience in the field.
• It quantifies and markets your expertise.
• You can eventually land high-salary jobs.
• Your professional and tactical skills will play a significant role in your workplace.
• You can add better value to your company.
• You will have job credibility.
• You will enjoy global recognition as a professional in IS audit.
• You will have a competitive advantage over your peers.

To take the CISA preparation course exam, you need to have at least 5 years of industry experience in security, information systems auditing, and other similar domains.

At Intellipaat, you can enroll in either the instructor-led online training or self-paced training. Apart from this, Intellipaat also offers corporate training for organizations to upskill their workforce. All trainers at Intellipaat have 12+ years of relevant industry experience, and they have been actively working as consultants in the same domain, which has made them subject matter experts. Go through the sample videos to check the quality of our trainers.

Intellipaat is offering 24/7 query resolution, and you can raise a ticket with the dedicated support team at any time. You can avail of email support for all your queries. If your query does not get resolved through email, we can also arrange one-on-one sessions with our support team. However, 1:1 session support is provided for a period of 6 months from the start date of your course.

Intellipaat is offering you the most updated, relevant, and high-value real-world projects as part of the training program. This way, you can implement the learning that you have acquired in real-world industry setup. All training comes with multiple projects that thoroughly test your skills, learning, and practical knowledge, making you completely industry-ready.

You will work on highly exciting projects in the domains of high technology, ecommerce, marketing, sales, networking, banking, insurance, etc. After completing the projects successfully, your skills will be equal to 6 months of rigorous industry experience.

Intellipaat actively provides placement assistance to all learners who have successfully completed the training. For this, we are exclusively tied-up with over 80 top MNCs from around the world. This way, you can be placed in outstanding organizations such as Sony, Ericsson, TCS, Mu Sigma, Standard Chartered, Cognizant, and Cisco, among other equally great enterprises. We also help you with the job interview and résumé preparation as well.

You can definitely make the switch from self-paced training to online instructor-led training by simply paying the extra amount. You can join the very next batch, which will be duly notified to you.

Once you complete Intellipaat’s training program, working on real-world projects, quizzes, and assignments and scoring at least 60 percent marks in the qualifying exam, you will be awarded Intellipaat’s course completion certificate. This certificate is very well recognized in Intellipaat-affiliated organizations, including over 80 top MNCs from around the world and some of the Fortune 500companies.

Apparently, no. Our job assistance program is aimed at helping you land in your dream job. It offers a potential opportunity for you to explore various competitive openings in the corporate world and find a well-paid job, matching your profile. The final decision on hiring will always be based on your performance in the interview and the requirements of the recruiter.