CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor

Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) is a globally acknowledged certification, which builds upon the previous experience of IS professionals. The course delivers exceptional knowledge of Information Systems Auditing, Control, and Security.

The first three days of the course consist of an intensive and systematic review of all tasks within the CISA Job Practice Area. Here the aspects which are important from the examination perspective are presented, without going into the details of each task, which is why some level of expertise is required. Those who would like to study all CISA tasks in detail should join our advanced course.

Following the first three days, realistic test examination is organized (in English). After this test exam, we will discuss the results during the following course day.

The domains covered by this certification are:

1. The Process of Auditing Information Systems 
2. Governance and Management of IT 
3. Life Cycle of Applications and Infrastructure 
4. Delivery and Support of IT Services 
5. Protection of Information Value 

Each domain is quite extensive, covering several topics, which, all combined, provide the full coverage of the given domain. This intensive training course is delivered by exceptional, experienced CISA trainers, over the course of just four days, covering all theoretical, as well as practical, hands-on aspects. Each domain is detailed below:

Domain 1: Information Systems Audit Process:

• Developing a risk-based IT audit strategy
• Planning specific audits
• Conducting audits to IS audit standards
• Implementation of risk management and control practices

Domain 2: IT Governance and Management:

• Effectiveness of IT Governance structure
• IT organisational structure and human resources (personnel) management
• Organisation’s IT policies, standards, and procedures
• Adequacy of the Quality Management System
• IT management and monitoring controls
• IT resource investment
• IT contracting strategies and policies
• Management of organisations IT-related risks
• Monitoring and assurance practices
• Organisation business continuity plan

Domain 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation:

• Business case development for IS acquisition, development, maintenance, and retirement
• Project management practices and controls
• Conducting reviews of project management practices
• Controls for requirements, acquisition, development, and testing phases
• Readiness for Information Systems
• Project Plan Reviewing
• Post Implementation System Reviews

Domain 4: Information Systems Operations, Maintenance, and Support:

• Conduct periodic reviews of organisations objectives
• Service level management
• Third party management practices
• Operations and end-user procedures
• Process of information systems maintenance
• Data administration practices determine the integrity and optimisation of databases
• Use of capacity and performance monitoring tools and techniques
• Problem and incident management practices
• Change, configuration, and release management practices
• Adequacy of backup and restore provisions
• Organisation’s disaster recovery plan in the event of a disaster 

Domain 5: Protection of Information Assets:

• Information security policies, standards and procedures
• Design, implementing, monitoring of system and logical security controls
• Design, implementing, monitoring of data classification processes and procedures
• Design, implementing, monitoring of physical access and environmental controls
• Processes and procedures to store, retrieve, transport and dispose of information assets

Building on pre-course preparation work, we will go through all the CISA domains and conclude the course with a realistic test examination followed by an evaluation and discussions. With the appropriate level of personal preparation, you will acquire the necessary knowledge to be able to pass the CISA exam. Our aim is to optimally prepare you for this challenging test, by going through the Job Practice Area and by offering a realistic test exam.

You will learn how to:

• Develop and implement a risk-based IT audit strategy in compliance with IT audit standards
• Evaluate the effectiveness of an IT governance structure
• Ensure that the IT organizational structure and human resources (personnel) management support the organization’s strategies and objectives
• Review the information security policies, standards, and procedures for completeness and alignment with generally accepted practices

This training is intended to professionals who have already IT experience. It is recommended for the participants to have a detailed knowledge of the CISA Job Practice Area and having read through the CISA Review Manual prior to taking the course and, ideally, to have several years of professional experience in different areas of IT.

The CISA exam preparation course is aimed at all persons who deal with the governance, audit or security of information systems, such as:

• Chief Information Officers
• Security Officers
• Compliance Officers
• IT Auditors
• IT project managers
• IT managers
• IT operations officers
• Security consultants
• Consultants and project managers

Participants wishing to achieve CISA certification must meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of the CISA exam
• At least 5 years of experience in information security
• Comply with ISACA’s «Information Systems Auditing Standards»
• Agree to the «Continuing Education Policy»

The CISA exam is booked separately through ISACA

Our instructors are all certified professionals, who bring with them over 20 years of field experience in the domain of IT security.

Our course can be given in English and in French, and includes realistic exam simulations (in English).

This is an intensive 4-days course for advanced participants who have already gone through the CISA Job Practice Area and the CISA Review Manual.