CISA Certification Training Course

CISA Training FAQs

• What tools do I need to attend the training sessions?

  The system requirements are quite basic:
  OS: Windows any version above XP SP3 & Mac any version above OS X 10.6
  Internet Speed: Preferably above 512 KBPS
  Headset and microphone which can be used to talk and hear clearly.

• What all will I get as part of the training?

  You get access to our e-learning content along with the practice simulation tests that help you tackle the toughest of the exam questions. You will also get an online participant handbook with cross references to the e-learning for reinforcement of your learning.

• How many questions are there in the CISA certification exam?

  ISACA uses and reports scores on a common scale from 200 to 800. For example, the scaled score of 800 represents a perfect score with all questions answered correctly; a scaled score of 200 is the lowest score possible and signifies that only a small number of questions were answered correctly. You need to achieve a score of 450 or higher to pass the CISA® Exam.

• What is the CISA certification cost?

  The CISA Certification cost varies between $450 - $760 based on  the mode of registration and if you are a registered member or not.
  
  Please click on the below link for further details : http://www.isaca.org/Certification/CISA-Certified-Information-Systems-Auditor/June-Exam-Information/Pages/register-for-the-CISA-June-exam.aspx

• 14 tips to pass the CISA exam

  So you’ve decided you need a CISA Certification . Chances are you’ve familiarized yourself with the CISA certification process with our article on the certification. But what’s next on the agenda?

  We’ve put together a list of tips for individuals who are working toward their CISA exam, including how best to deal with this quirky exam, dos and don’ts for success, and important points to keep in mind before taking the plunge!

  Why CISA?

  According to ISACA, there’s a huge skills gap in the market. The number of cybersecurity job openings far outnumbers the number of qualified candidates who can fill these roles. Why shouldn’t one of them be you?

  Companies need audit professionals that have IS audit, control, and security skills. The CISA certification proves that you have all the skills needed to take on an IS security role.

  What Makes The CISA Exam So Difficult?

  As one of the toughest exams in the IT Security domain, the CISA exam is notorious for being difficult to pass as well as having a low pass rate. Although ISACA, the body that administers the exam, has stopped publishing information about pass rates in recent years, feedback from both successful and unsuccessful CISA candidates suggests the pass rate hovers in the 40 – 50% range.

  But the question remains: Why is the CISA exam such a tough nut to crack? Here are a few reasons why:

  • The CISA is a paper-based test. Unlike most vendor-specific professional certification exams, CISA’s conventional nature means candidates with little to no experience taking paper-based exams are caught out.
  • There are no official educational requirements to be able to take the CISA exam, meaning casual candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds register for the exam, creating artificial competition.
  • The questions on the CISA exam are often ambiguous and subjective, and many candidates complain sample questions offered by ISACA are vague and not relevant to the standards on the actual written exam.
  • Emphasis on rote learning and memory. A common complaint is that questions on the CISA exam involve recollection of nomenclature and terminology from the IT Security syllabus.

  Why Is The Rate Of Failure Higher On The CISA Exam Compared To Other IS Certifications?

  While the exam is less difficult than it is commonly perceived to be, thousands of candidates fail to clear the exam on their first attempt. Experts point to a number of reasons for this -

  • Students with a technical or technological background often grapple with governance and auditing concepts. While technical know-how is important, the ability to audit and manage IT Security processes is a must for the CISA exam.
  • At the other end of the spectrum, aspirants from audit and accounting backgrounds are excellent in these areas but struggle with the technical aspects of the exam. Students from such backgrounds would need to understand the concepts and core objectives of the curriculum.
  • Many experienced students insist upon following their own approach to tackling difficult questions and scenarios on the CISA exam, eschewing the standard approach prescribed by ISACA.

  Preparing for the CISA Exam

  Here are 14 tips to keep in mind before commencing preparation for the CISA exam !

  1. Study The CRM Religiously

  ISACA offers the CISA Review Manual (CRM), a one-stop guide for the CISA exam. It is a comprehensive reference designed to prepare candidates for the CISA exam. It provides all the details related to the CISA exam, as well as defining the roles and responsibilities of an information systems auditor. Overall, this manual is the best self-study guide for CISA aspirants.

  2. Review The CISA Review Questions Database

  Practicing review questions thoroughly is mandatory for this exam. ISACA’s Review Questions Database is a comprehensive online resource of practice questions, answers, and explanations. Members can get 12-month access to the database for $185; access costs $225 for non-members. Get it here .

  3. Think Like An Accountant

  The nature of the exam calls for aspirants to think like an IT auditor or an accountant, not an exam-taker: because the emphasis is on real-world applications, sharpening your decision-making skills by tackling hypothetical problem scenarios and learning to manage, evaluate, and prioritize multiple tasks well will help you pass the CISA exam.

  4. Take Advantage Of ISACA’s Free Resources

  ISACA’s website offers a great collection of helpful free resources for professionals preparing for the CISA exam. Here are links to a few -

  • T he Information Security Audit And Assurance Guide
  • T he ISACA Candidate Information Guide
  • I SACA’s CISA self-assessment test
  • I SACA’s database of free-to-download whitepapers

  In addition, Simplilearn has a variety of interesting, informative, and insightful resources on IT Security: dive right in to take advantage of our open library here !

  5. Put CISA Blogs and Articles On Your To-Read List

  In addition to the CRM and CISA CDs, candidates should also visit other CISA blogs and articles available online to get better insights into CISA exam prep. Apart from sharing invaluable insights from the world of IT Security that may help aspirants tackle CISA questions from recently updated knowledge areas, blogs maintained by regular contributors are also platforms where news and updates about the CISA exam are likely to first break.

  Here are some great blogs to bookmark and follow as you prepare:

  • ISACA’s Blogs : For information, tips, and tricks from the source!
  • Risk3Sixty : Maintained by a couple of IT auditors with extensive experience, Risk3Sixty is aimed at professionals working in the IT Security Auditing space. The blog covers several day-to-day issues and challenges you can expect to face as a certified CISA auditor and will help you settle into the auditing mindset.

  6. Practical IS Audit Experience

  You’ll make the CISA certification experience simpler by gaining practical, hands-on work experience in IT Security. Although similar to financial and resource audits, IT audits have a very different scope, dealing primarily with information. CISA aspirants should have a fair idea of business processes, audit scope definition, audit planning, and reporting.

  Even a little exposure to IT Security processes can help: where and when possible, seek out IT auditing professionals or the IT Security department at your current organization to familiarize yourself with the roles, responsibilities, and daily activities of CISA and other Security positions.

  7. Plan and Prepare in Advance

  Managing study hours and allocation of time by subject areas is essential to be successful when you take the CISA exam. If you are a working professional, planning for the examination 3 – 4 months before the examination is our recommendation. We also suggest that you dedicate at least an hour or two of study on a regular basis.

  In addition, we recommend that you tailor your preparation and study plan according to your professional background and level of experience, as follows:

  8. Optimal Division Of Prep Time

  According to CISA exam prep coaches, spending 35 – 45% of your time on the manual, 15 – 20% on coaching, and another 35 – 40% on simulation exams and practice tests is the recommended way to spend your study time.

  9. Adaptability: Keep An Open Mind

  In the context of the CISA, one of the best pieces of advice for anyone to take away would be this: unlearning what has been learned is almost as important as learning fresh content. The IT industry is dynamic and ever-changing and, consequently, so are its auditing principles and techniques.

  10. Managing The CISA Question Paper

  As with many competitive exams, success on the CISA is also a function of how well and efficiently you manage the test itself: a common theme among unsuccessful aspirants is a lack of time to complete the exam, which results from mismanaging the question paper.

  By reviewing the previous years’ question papers and mock test questions, you should devise a plan of attack with estimates of the amount of time you want to expend question and subject area so answer as many questions as possible—after all, a successful CISA is expected to think on their feet and be able to make take quick, effective decisions: managing the CISA paper to maximize your score might be a smart first step in your journey!

  11. Join CISA Groups And Forums

  Participants can join CISA groups and forums to interact with other CISA aspirants and past CISA participants. These platforms can provide both theoretical and practical knowledge on IS auditing and help improve the candidate’s grasp of the concepts and their real-world application.

  At Simplilearn, we host a lively discussion forum of our own where industry experts, CISA professionals, and aspirants meet to engage in constructive debate and knowledge sharing. Come join the discussion here !

  12. Explore The CISA CDs And eLearning Material

  Although a portion of the CISA syllabus calls for rote memorization, acquiring a degree of proficiency and fluency with IT Security means gaining a thorough understanding of the exam’s various subject matter areas. Presented in an easy-to-assimilate, storyboard format, ISACA’s training material is available on CD from the ISACA online store. We recommend that candidates also look to acquire previous years’ CISA CDs, as well as the mock-exam generator that is shipped with CDs.

  13. CISA Certification Training Courses

  Many accredited organizations offer CISA certification training courses online and in-person. Enrollment and participation in a well-structured and comprehensive training course is highly recommended.

  As the world’s leading professional certification training provider, Simplilearn has a network is a leading training organization that offers CISA certification training via a unique blended model approach that includes CISA classroom and CISA online training courses.

  14. Brush Up Your Verbal Reasoning Skills

  For candidates who are taking the CISA exam in a language other than their first language, several questions on the exam may seem daunting. Open-ended, case-study based multiple choice questions are generally presented with subjective choices that call for verbal reasoning to deduce expectations and arrive at the right set of answers. We also recommend

  It also recommended that you download and review ISACA’s CISA Glossary Of Terms to become familiar with IT Security technical terms in English as well as acronyms applicable to the CISA exam.

  Although it’s a difficult exam, with proper planning, hard work, and the right guidance, passing the CISA exam on your first try is far from impossible. Follow these tips and make a solid study plan that works for you.

• What certification will I receive after completing the training?

  After successful completion of the training, you will be awarded the course completion certificate along with the 30 CPE certificate from Simplilearn .

• What is the date of the next CISA exam?

  CISA exam is conducted thrice in a year in the months of July, September and December. To find the exam locations & dates go to ( www.isaca.org/certification/pages/exam-locations.aspx )

• Can I defer my exam?

  If you are unable to take the exam, you can request a deferral of your registration fees to the next exam date. To learn more about deferring your exam, including deferral deadlines and costs, please visit www.isaca.org/examdefer .

• Do you provide assistance for the exam application process?

  Yes, we do provide assistance for the exam application process. You can state your queries on community.simplilearn.com and get them answered along with any other query or concern that you might have about the course.

• How does Simplilearn assure me that the training and course material delivered are effective?

  Our CISA course is developed to deliver a first attempt pass rate of 100%. With a hands-on learning approach, the training not only gives you the confidence to clear the exam but also helps you retain the knowledge beyond the examination.

• Can I cancel my enrollment? Will I get a refund?

  Yes, you can cancel your enrollment. We provide you a refund after deducting the administration fee. To know more, please go through our Refund Policy.

• I’d like to learn more about this training program. Who should I contact?

  Contact us using the form on the right of any page on the Simplilearn website, or select the Live Chat link. Our customer service representatives will be able to give you more details.

• Who are our Faculties and how are they selected?

  All our trainers are working professionals and industry experts with at least 10-12 years of relevant teaching experience.
  
  Each of them have gone through a rigorous selection process which includes profile screening, technical evaluation, and training demo before they are certified to train for us.
  
  We also ensure that only those trainers with a high alumni rating continue to train for us.

• What is Global Teaching Assistance?

  Our teaching assistants are here to help you get certified in your first attempt.
  
  They are a dedicated team of subject matter experts to help you at every step and enrich your learning experience from class onboarding to project mentoring and job assistance.
  
  They engage with the students proactively to ensure the course path is followed.
  
  Teaching Assistance is available during business hours.

• What is covered under the 24/7 Support promise?

  We offer 24/7 support through email, chat, and calls.
  
  We also have a dedicated team that provides on demand assistance through our community forum. What’s more, you will have lifetime access to the community forum, even after completion of your course with us.

• Is this live CISA training or will I watch pre-recorded videos?

  If you enroll for self-paced e-learning, you will have access to pre-recorded videos. If you enroll for the online classroom Flexi-Pass, you will have access to live training conducted online as well as the pre-recorded videos.

• Do you provide any discount on the CISA course fee?

  Yes, Simplilearn runs promotional offers frequently for a limited period of time. You can visit the Simplilearn Discounts page to know the applicable discounts for any course.

• You offer an exam pass guarantee. How does it work?

  *Free exam retake terms and conditions:

  Terms and Conditions:
  Simplilearn offers Exam Pass Guarantee to our students who complete our course training. Simplilearn uses top learning methodologies to equip learners with the knowledge and confidence to pass the CISA exam in the first attempt. If you do not pass the CISA exam at the first attempt, Simplilearn will provide you one free exam retake.

  
  To ensure your success, we strongly recommend that you take the CISA exam within a week of the course completion date—or a maximum of 45 days from the completion of the online training. This way, the course materials will be fresh in your mind.

  Exam Attempts:

  Attempt	Time Frame	Result	Free Exam Retake
  First	Within 6 months (180 days) from enrollment date	Did Not Pass	Yes

  Exam Pass Guarantee:
  If you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, Simplilearn will provide you one free exam retake.  You must submit a copy of your scorecard.

  Terms and Conditions for qualifying:

  This money-back guarantee applies only to Simplilearn’s CISA blended learning. The guarantee is valid only for participants who have paid the entire enrollment fee.

  The guarantee becomes void if:

  • Participants do not take the CISA examination within 45 days of unlocking the certificate.
  • Participants do not maintain 100% attendance during the training sessions.
  • Participants fail to score at least 80% in at least 2 simulation tests available at lms.Simplilearn.com
  • Participants fail to book their exam within 6 months from the date of enrollment
  • Participants do not follow the instructions of the trainer and do not complete the exercises given during the training.
  • Participants do not submit the required documents to Simplilearn.
  • Participants failed to request a refund within 15 days of receiving their results

• What after CISA?

  Achieving a CISA certification offers you many career benefits. However, you shouldn’t stop upskilling yourself as the world of cybersecurity is quite dynamic. Here are some of the courses you can consider taking after becoming CISA certified:

  • CEH v12 - Certified Ethical Hacking Course
  • CISSP Certification Training Course
  • CISM Certification Training
  • Cyber Security Expert Master’s Program
  • Post Graduate Program in Cyber Security
  • COBIT 2019 Certification Training
  • CompTIA Security+ Certification

• What’s included in the CISA course?

  The CISA course is divided into five modules that cover the complete scope of IS audits and review. Each of these modules comes with individual professional credits that are reflected in the final certificate.

  Module 1 – The Process of Auditing Information Systems
  Module 2 – CISA’s Role in IT Governance
  Module 3 – CISA’s Role in Systems and Infrastructure Lifecycle Management
  Module 4 – CISA’s Role in IT Service Delivery and Support
  Module 5 – CISA’s Role in Protection of Information Assets.

• Why Get a CISA Certification?

  The practices and skills required by the CISA certification are themselves the building blocks in this field. The benefits of a CISA certification are:

  • Validates your experience and knowledge in the field
  • Markets and quantifies expertise
  • Demonstrates tactical skills required to crack the examination
  • Global recognition as a IS audit professional
  • Increased value to the organization
  • Competitive advantage over peers
  • Credibility in the job market
  • High professional standard
  • High salary
  • CISA Certification

• What is the Average Annual Salary for CISA Certified Professionals?

  The CISA certification has been globally recognized since 1978. Today, there are more than 106,000 certified professionals—and each year the retention is more than 90%. In 2014, CISA was awarded as the “Best Professional Certification Program” by SC Magazine.

  It is one of the top-paying certifications as per the 2013 ITSCPI (IT Skills and Certifications Pay index). CISA certificate holders make between $83,677 and $107,342 every year according to the statistics by PayScale, who also states that Security Consultants earn between $67,860 and $106,407 while IS Auditors earn between $59,647 and $82,159 every year. These are currently the highest standards in the market.

• For which profiles companies hire CISA certified?

  The main job description of an information technology auditor is to see that there are no situations of fraud, unnecessary spending, or noncompliance with governmental laws and federal regulations, as well as analyze and prepare reports for management.

  CISA certificate holders are likely to be hired for roles such as those listed below, just to name a few.

  • Internal Auditor
  • Public Accounting Auditor
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Network Operation Security Engineer
  • IT Audit Manager
  • Cybersecurity professional
  • IT Risk and Assurance Manager
  • IT Consulting
  • Privacy Officer
  • PCI Security Specialist

• What is CISA training?

  Certified Information Systems Auditor or CISA training is designed to help IT professionals gain expertise in evaluating vulnerabilities, identifying compliance issues, and successfully implementing IT security controls for an organization.

• Which is better, CISSP or CISA?

  CISSP and CISA certifications are very similar, equipping certification holders with nearly identical knowledge. However, there are differences. CISSP and CISA differ in terms of focus and difficulty level. For IT professionals seeking a career as an IT auditor, CISA is the better option. Those looking for a more cybersecurity-focused career should go for the CISSP certification. As far as difficulty, CISA is relatively easier and less technical, while CISSP is quite challenging, even for highly-experienced professionals.

• What is a good CISA score?

  Individuals seeking a CISA certification are scored on a scale of 200-800, with 450 being the passing threshold.

• What jobs can you get with a CISA certification?

  A CISA certification can land you jobs such as IT audit manager, cyber security manager, internal auditor, compliance analyst, risk analyst, data protection officer, security officer, information technology auditor, senior information security auditor, internal audit manager, and information technology manager.

• What are the benefits of a CISA certification?

  Due to the increasing demand for information security professionals, the CISA certification course has emerged as one of the most sought-after security certifications that are acknowledged worldwide. CISA-certified individuals are known to have expertise in auditing, managing, and assessing an organization's IT security and business policies. In addition, and more importantly, individuals with a CISA certification get an edge over others and distinguish themselves as experts in testing, developing, and executing the information security of an organization.

• What is CISA used for?

  The CISA certification, offered by ISACA, validates a professional’s expertise in the field of IT auditing and helps them move up in their career. It is world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who apply a risk-based approach to planning, executing, and reporting on audit engagements. Take Simplilearn’s CISA course to prepare for the CISA certification exam and increase your marketability.

• Is the CISA course difficult to learn?

  In the beginning, it may take time for you to get acquainted with the terminologies used in the CISA course material. However, our instructors have rich training experience and help you understand all the concepts without any difficulty.
  

• Is IT Security a good career option?

  Nowadays, adopting digital transformation has become the need of the hour for companies. In this process, there are threats and risks associated with the sensitive data and digital assets of an organization. So, companies are now relying on IT security to deal with such cyber threats, and the field of IT security is booming. A CISA certification in your portfolio can help you reach new heights in your IT security career.

• How do beginners learn CISA?

  The CISA certification is not designed for beginners, it requires professionals to have at least five years of work experience in professional information systems auditing, control, or security. Beginners can take our CISA training to take the first step in their certification process. Gradually by gaining the required experience, they can apply for the certification exam.
  

• Is a CISA certification worth it?

  The CISA certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under ISO/IEC 17024:2012. It is one of the highest-paying IT certifications with an average annual salary of USD 110,634. Further, it establishes your credibility, expertise, and authority in the field of IT security. Our CISA training can help you achieve this valuable certification.
  

• What are the job roles available after getting a CISA certification?

  After achieving the CISA certification, you will be eligible for a number of job opportunities like an IT auditor, information security analyst, IT audit manager, compliance analyst, data protection manager, and risk analyst.

• What does an IT auditor do?

  IT auditors take the responsibility of monitoring the IT systems and infrastructure of an organization and ensure that they run smoothly. They also assess internal performance controls and conduct automated data processing audits and computer audits. They create internal audit reports and communicate their findings to others to offer solutions regarding security and compliance. A CISA certification can help you understand what it takes to be a successful IT auditor.

• What skills should an IT auditor possess?

  An IT auditor is an important role in an organization and aims to keep its data secure from internal or external security threats. So, professionals need specialized skills to become seasoned IT auditors including knowledge of IT infrastructure, data analysis, computer security, IT risk, security risk management, IS auditing process, and governance and management of IT. A CISA certification can ensure that you have developed all these skills.
  

• What industries use CISA most?

  Almost all businesses are trying to keep pace with the advancing technologies by adopting digital transformation. This has led to increased cyber threats and driven the demand for skilled cyber security professionals, including IT auditors. Some of the top industries that hire CISA certification holders are banking, healthcare, eCommerce, manufacturing, and information technology. Our CISA course can help you become eligible to enter any of these industrial sectors.

• Which companies hire IT Security Officers?

  Cyber security is a top priority for every organization owing to the alarming rate of data breaches happening across the world. JP Morgan Chase, KPMG International, Fidelity Investments, Deloitte, and PwC are the top firms hiring CISA certification holders as part of their cyber security initiatives.
  

• What book do you suggest reading for CISA?

  Our CISA training gives you a complete study guide to pass the certification exam. However, if you are seeking some good books on CISA for further reference, here are some good picks:

  • CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide, 4th Edition by David L. Cannon
  • CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor All-in-One Exam Guide, Fourth Edition by Peter H. Gregory
  • CISA Review Manual, 27th Edition by ISACA
    

• What is the pay scale of CISA professionals across the world?

  CISA certification is one of the best credentials you can achieve in your cybersecurity career. CISA professionals earn lucrative salaries across the world. Here are the average annual salaries they command in different countries (Source: Payscale):

  • India - INR 950K
  • The US - $105K
  • The UK - £67,500
  • Canada - C$66K