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 initial phase, a realistic test examination is organized (in English). After this test exam, we will discuss the results during the last day of the training.

The domains covered by this certification are:

1. Information Systems Auditing Process
2. Governance and Management of IT
3. Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
4. Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
5. Protection of Information Assets

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 Auditing Process (21%)

Providing audit services in accordance with standards to assist organizations in protecting and controlling information systems. Domain 1 affirms your credibility to offer conclusions on the state of an organization’s IS/IT security, risk and control solutions.

A. Planning

1. IS Audit Standards, Guidelines, and Codes of Ethics
2. Business Processes
3. Types of Controls
4. Risk-Based Audit Planning
5. Types of Audits and Assessments

B. Execution

1. Audit Project Management
2. Sampling Methodology
3. Audit Evidence Collection Techniques
4. Data Analytics
5. Reporting and Communication Techniques
6. Quality Assurance and Improvement of the Audit Process

Domain 2: Governance and Management of IT (17%)

Domain 2 confirms to stakeholders your abilities to identify critical issues and recommend enterprise-specific practices to support and safeguard the governance of information and related technologies.

A. IT Governance

1. IT Governance and IT Strategy
2. IT-Related Frameworks
3. IT Standards, Policies, and Procedures
4. Organizational Structure
5. Enterprise Architecture
6. Enterprise Risk Management
7. Maturity Models
8. Laws, Regulations, and Industry Standards affecting the Organization

B. IT Management

1. IT Resource Management
2. IT Service Provider Acquisition and Management
3. IT Performance Monitoring and Reporting
4. Quality Assurance and Quality Management of IT

Domain 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%)

A. Information Systems Acquisition and Development

1. Project Governance and Management
2. Business Case and Feasibility Analysis
3. System Development Methodologies
4. Control Identification and Design

B. Information Systems Implementation

1. Testing Methodologies
2. Configuration and Release Management
3. System Migration, Infrastructure Deployment, and Data Conversion
4. Post-implementation Review

Domain 4: Information Systems Operations and Business resilience (23%)

Domains 3 and 4 offer proof not only of your competency in IT controls, but also your understanding of how IT relates to business.

A. Information Systems Operations

1. Common Technology Components
2. IT Asset Management
3. Job Scheduling and Production Process Automation
4. System Interfaces
5. End-User Computing
6. Data Governance
7. Systems Performance Management
8. Problem and Incident Management
9. Change, Configuration, Release, and Patch Management
10. IT Service Level Management
11. Database Management

B. Business Resilience

1. Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
2. System Resiliency
3. Data Backup, Storage, and Restoration
4. Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
5. Disaster Recovery Plans (DRP)

Domain 5: Protection of Information Assets:

Cybersecurity now touches virtually every information systems role, and understanding its principles, best practices and pitfalls is a major focus within Domain 5.

 A. Information Asset Security and Control

1. Information Asset Security Frameworks, Standards, and Guidelines
2. Privacy Principles
3. Physical Access and Environmental ControlsIdentity and Access Management
4. Network and End-Point Security
5. Data Classification
6. Data Encryption and Encryption-Related Techniques
7. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
8. Web-Based Communication Techniques
9. Virtualized Environments
10. Mobile, Wireless, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) Devices

B. Security Event Management

1. Security Awareness Training and Programs
2. Information System Attack Methods and Techniques
3. Security Testing Tools and Techniques
4. Security Monitoring Tools and Techniques
5. Incident Response Management
6. Evidence Collection and Forensics

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.

It lasts 4 hours (240 minutes) and contains 150 multiple-choice questions.

The cost is US$ 575 for ISACA members and US$ 760 for non-members.

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.