CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) is basically the “I audit IT systems, sniff out security gaps, and ensure business continuity” badge of honor.
So what happens when something goes wrong in a system?
“No panic, the CISA-certified hero is here!”
It’s issued by ISACA, a global non-profit authority. The exam? 4 hours, 150 questions.
Fun? Not really.
But the vibe you get once it's on your LinkedIn bio?
Instant “corporate influencer” energy.
CISA, created by ISACA in 1978, is globally recognized in audit, control, business continuity, and information security.
150 questions, 4-hour exam
Passing score: 450
Price: $575 for members, $760 for non-members
After passing, you need:
5 years’ experience,
20 hours/year,
120 CPE hours in 3 years to keep your cert active.
| Role | What They Do | Fun Note |
|---|---|---|
| IT Auditor | Closes security gaps in systems | “Panic mode: OFF!” |
| Internal/External Auditor | Checks processes, prepares reports | The eyes and ears of the company |
| Consultant / Risk Manager | Designs risk strategies | The brainiac! |
| Public Sector Security Officer | Protects national data | Turkish institutions? Unshakable! 🇹🇷 |
Over 151,000 certified professionals worldwide!
Zeynep scans backup procedures in 3 days during the annual audit.
Even the CISO says, “Give this girl a medal!”
Ahmet identifies a critical gap.
The boss sees the risk score and says, “You're worth your weight in bonuses.”
Intern Merve optimizes cloud permissions in 2 days.
CTO: “You did a month’s work in two days. You’re a rockstar!”
| Domain No | Area | % of Exam |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audit Process | 18% |
| 2 | IT Governance | 18% |
| 3 | System Development | 12% |
| 4 | Operations & Business Continuity | 26% |
| 5 | Protection of Information Assets | 26% |
Each domain? Packed with real-life scenarios.
– Example: Domain 4 = disaster recovery + incident response
CISM – Managerial focus, policy-driven
CRISC – The risk detective of the IT world
CEH – Ethical hacker, hands-on techie
CISSP – Broad scope, but sometimes shallow on depth
CISA is your go-to audit-focused hero. Others may stand by its side—but not in its shoes.
🇺🇸 Average salary in the U.S.: $106k–$149k/year
Some roles even exceed $180k/year
Up to 30% higher pay compared to non-certified peers
ROI within 6–12 months is common!
I passed the exam but lack experience, what now?
→ Start gaining experience ASAP—internships, temp roles, projects.
Does CISA teach me how to hack?
→ Nope. You audit the hackers. White hat? Nah. Audit hat!
What even is CPE?
→ 120 hours of continuing education over 3 years to stay relevant. Webinars, online courses—they all count.
Fixes incorrectly assigned data permissions across the firm—in just 3 hours. Sends a “mission complete” meme with epic music.
Spots a missing backup policy. Boss: “You’re our hero of the week!”
Performs risk analysis for an insurance firm. His mitigation advice saves them ₺500,000.
ISACA practice tests
StationX, Kyle Kiider, and other domain-specific experts
Connect topics to real-life scenarios
Fill gaps with internships/projects
Join question groups, mock test teams, and forums
Beyond auditing, CISA opens doors to high-level security roles:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| CISO | Leads teams, sets strategy, analyzes risk |
| Compliance Director | Ensures legal and regulatory alignment |
| IT Audit Consultant | Provides auditing expertise to companies |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | Defends systems and runs threat simulations |
In short: CISA is your career compass.
Choose your date via ISACA.org
Book through Pearson VUE
Take it online or at a test center
Say "Yes" to these:
Do you enjoy auditing IT systems?
Are you detail-oriented and love documentation?
Do you thrive on continuous learning?
Can you stay calm during crisis mode?
If you said YES to 3 or more—you’ve got CISA potential!