Skip to content

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)

The dominant IT-audit credential globally; required de facto for SOX IT-control audits at public companies and IT-audit roles at Big-4 firms. Strong overlap into cybersecurity-audit career paths.

Aviso: esta página contiene enlaces de afiliados.

Sitio web oficial →

Fundado

1978

Sede

Schaumburg, IL, USA

Público objetivo

IT auditors, IT compliance professionals, IT governance specialists, SOX IT-control auditors at Big-4, internal audit teams, and IT compliance functions at regulated industries.

Características principales

  • 150 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours, scaled scoring 200-800 (450 to pass)
  • Five domains: Information System Auditing Process (~21%), Governance & Management of IT (~17%), Information Systems Acquisition/Development/Implementation (~12%), IS Operations & Business Resilience (~23%), Protection of Information Assets (~27%)
  • CBT format at PSI testing centers or via online proctoring, year-round
  • Pass rate: ~55-60% (ISACA reporting)
  • Required: 5 years of professional IS auditing/control/security experience (waivers reduce to as low as 1 year with degree + general experience + CPE)
  • 20 hours of CPE annually + 120 hours over 3-year cycle
  • ~170,000+ active CISAs globally; deeply embedded in Big-4 IT-audit practices and corporate IT-compliance

Cómo obtener esta certificación

Prerrequisitos

5 years of professional IS audit/control/security experience (within 10 years of exam pass or 5 years post-pass). Substitutions: bachelor's degree (1 year credit), master's (1 year), 2 years teaching/training in related field, or 1 year general IT operational experience.

Por qué certificarse — ROI

Impacto salarial

CISAs in the US report a $15,000–$35,000 premium versus non-certified IT auditors (ISACA 2024 IT Audit Compensation Study). Median US CISA total compensation: $110,000-$150,000.

Beneficios profesionales

Lo que la distingue
The dominant IT-audit credential globally; required de facto for SOX IT-control audits at public companies and IT-audit roles at Big-4 firms. Strong overlap into cybersecurity-audit career paths.
Reconocimiento del sector
ISACA proprietary; ANSI/ISO 17024 accredited.

Reconocimiento laboral

ANSI/ISO 17024

Costo vs retorno

$575

Precios

$15,000/yr

Impacto salarial

~2w

Retorno estimado

Quién debería obtener esta certificación

Ideal para:

  • IT auditors
  • IT compliance professionals
  • IT governance specialists
  • SOX IT-control auditors at Big-4
  • internal audit teams
  • and IT compliance functions at regulated industries.

Considere alternativas si:

  • Sits at the intersection of audit and IT — useful for IT-audit specialists, less so for either pure financial-audit (CPA/CIA) or pure cybersecurity (CISSP/CISM) career tracks
  • 5-year experience requirement is high; substitutions help but only partially

Cómo mantener esta certificación

Ciclo de renovación:
3 años

Precios

Concepto Precio
Exam Fee Member $575
Exam Fee Nonmember $760
Currency USD
Isaca Membership Annual $165
Application Fee Post Pass $50
Annual Certification Maintenance Fee Member $45
Annual Certification Maintenance Fee Nonmember $85
Review Materials Isaca Official Member 189–999
Total Typical Path 1200–2000
Cpe Hours Required 3yr $120
As Of 2025

Debilidades

  • Sits at the intersection of audit and IT — useful for IT-audit specialists, less so for either pure financial-audit (CPA/CIA) or pure cybersecurity (CISSP/CISM) career tracks
  • 5-year experience requirement is high; substitutions help but only partially
  • $45-85 annual maintenance fee + CPE adds long-term cost
  • Pass-rate disclosures are limited (ISACA publishes less granular pass-rate data than AICPA/IIA)

Mercados disponibles

Global

Sitio web oficial →

Aviso: esta página contiene enlaces de afiliados.

Comparar con certificaciones similares

CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

The only US credential authorized to issue audit/attest opinions on financial statements — a regulat

CMA (Certified Management Accountant)

The global management-accounting credential; particularly strong fit for industry/corporate FP&A and

CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)

The only globally recognized internal-audit credential; required de facto for senior internal-audit