The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential, offered by ISACA, remains the gold standard for professionals in IT auditing, control, and cybersecurity.
As cyber threats escalate, organizations increasingly seek experts to safeguard their systems, making CISA a critical certification.
This guide explores everything you need to know about CISA in 2025, including updates, exam details, career prospects, and preparation strategies.
Table of Contents
What is CISA?
CISA validates expertise in auditing, monitoring, and securing information systems. Recognized globally, it adheres to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standards, ensuring rigorous competency benchmarks. Over 165,000 professionals hold this certification, reflecting its industry relevance.
Why Earn CISA Certification in 2025?
Growing Cyber Threats: Rising cybercrime and regulatory demands (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) drive demand for skilled auditors.
Career Advancement: CISA opens doors to roles like IT Audit Manager, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Compliance Officer.
There is a growing demand for internal controls, as more accounting services are being done through information systems.
Financial institutions in both audit and non-audit roles, including IT risk management, IT compliance, and IT controls analysts, have the greatest need for CISA qualified professionals.
Salary Boost: CISA-certified professionals earn $115,000–$130,000 annually (2025 projections), surpassing non-certified peers.
Given the high demand and specialized knowledge, it’s no surprise that IT auditing pays more than a general internal audit. This credential can help you increase your income if that is what you want.
Global Recognition: Employers prioritize CISA for audit and assurance roles, especially in finance, healthcare, and tech.
Key Benefits of CISA
There are several advantages to earning this credential, which is one of the reasons it is so popular. Here are some of the most significant benefits
Specialized Expertise: Focuses on technical IT auditing skills, unlike broader certifications (CPA, CIA).
Career Mobility: Bypass entry-level barriers; 39% of job postings for IT auditors require or prefer CISA.
Industry Demand: High need in sectors like banking, fintech, and cloud services post-COVID-19.
Ethical Leadership: Adherence to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics, emphasizing integrity and confidentiality.
2025 Exam Updates
Domains & Weightings
Information System Auditing (21%): Risk-based auditing, data analytics, and compliance.
IT Governance (17%): Strategic alignment, resource management.
Systems Development (12%): Agile/DevOps integration, cloud migration controls.
Operations & Resilience (23%): AI-driven monitoring, business continuity in hybrid work environments.
Asset Protection (27%): Zero-trust architecture, IoT/OT security, incident response automation.
Exam Format
150 multiple-choice questions (4 hours); passing score remains 450/800.
Test
Online proctoring or in-person testing at Pearson VUE centers.
Eligibility & Costs
Experience
In order to be eligible for the CISA, candidates must not only pass the CISA exam but also have 5+ years of experience in an IS/IT audit, control, assurance, or security position. Also, they must sign a professional code of conduct.
Waivers for up to 3 years via education substitutions (e.g., cybersecurity degrees).
Fees
Exam Fee: $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members.
Application Fee: $50.
Preparation Strategies for 2025
Leverage Updated Resources
CISA Review Manual (2025 Edition): Aligns with revised domains.
Online Courses: Platforms like Cybrary, Udemy, and ISACA’s Adaptive Learning Tool with AI-driven practice tests.
Join Study Groups
Engage in ISACA chapter events, Reddit’s r/CISA, LinkedIn communities for peer support.
Hands-On Practice
Simulate audits using tools like ACL Robotics or Tableau for data analysis.
Focus on Weak Areas
Use ISACA’s QAE Database (900+ questions) to target gaps.
Best CISA Training Programs in 2025
| Platform | Cost | Features |
| ISACA Online | $795 | 900+ Q&A, 22-hour video modules |
| Udemy | $120 | 15-hour course, practice tests |
| Infosec Bootcamp | $2,999 | 6-day live training, exam pass guarantee |
How to Maintain CISA Certification?
Maintaining your CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) certification requires ongoing professional education, adherence to ethical standards, and timely fee payments.
Below is a step-by-step guide to keeping your CISA certification active and compliant with ISACA’s requirements for 2025:
Earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits
Requirements
- Total Credits: 120 CPE hours every 3-year certification cycle.
- Annual Minimum: At least 20 CPE hours per year.
- Ethics Requirement: 3 hours of ethics-related CPEs must be completed during each 3-year cycle.
Qualifying Activities
| Category | Examples | Max Hours/Year |
| Formal Education | ISACA conferences, webinars, or third-party courses (e.g., cybersecurity workshops). | 40 hours |
| Professional Contributions | Writing articles, presenting at conferences, mentoring CISA candidates. | 20 hours |
| Self-Directed Learning | Reading ISACA journals, podcasts, or studying emerging IT audit frameworks. | 20 hours |
| Vendor-Specific Training | Certifications like AWS Security, CISSP, or ISO 27001 training. | 10 hours |
**You can use ISACA’s CPE Hub to track credits and find approved activities.
Pay Annual Maintenance Fees
- ISACA Members: $45/year.
- Non-Members: $85/year.
- Deadline: Fees are due July 1 each year. Late payments incur penalties or suspension.
Adhere to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics
- Follow ISACA’s Code of Ethics, including confidentiality, integrity, and accountability.
- Report any violations (e.g., fraud, conflicts of interest) to ISACA.
Comply with the CPE Audit Process
ISACA randomly audits 3-5% of certified professionals annually. If selected:
- Submit documentation (e.g., certificates, attendance logs) for claimed CPEs.
- Maintain records for 3 years post-submission.
CISA Jobs
CISA is a highly sought-after credential in the IT and cybersecurity industries. CISA holders work at all levels of Information Technology and Information Security, including as CEOs.
Among CISA’s largest employment categories are information technology audit managers, directors, and consultants (nearly 39,000 individuals). Information security directors, managers, and consultants are additional career prospects for CISA holders.
Another set of standards post COVID-19 for CISA, is required by auditors and compliance professionals. CISA designation is also necessary for audit executives.
CISA designation can help you to achieve success in the information technology or information security field and may be necessary for the desired job.
However, with only a small percentage of first-time test takers earning a passing grade, it is important that you take the time to study for the exam before you take it.
CISA Certified Professionals’ Salary in the US?
CISA is one of the most popular and well-paying IT certifications. CISA certification validates expertise in IT auditing and governance, leading to lucrative salaries.
Location and industry significantly impact earnings, with tech hubs and finance sectors offering the highest pay.
Senior roles (e.g., CISO) and additional certifications (e.g., CISSP) maximize earning potential.
Average CISA Salary in the US in USD (2025)
- Overall Average: $109,713–$155,362/year
- Entry-Level (0–2 years): $50,000–$85,000
- Mid-Level (3–7 years): $85,000–$145,000
- Senior-Level (8+ years): $110,000–$250,000
Salary by Location
Salaries vary significantly by city due to demand and cost of living:
- Santa Cruz, CA: $138,511
- Sunnyvale, CA: $136,020
- Arlington, VA: $135,335 28
- New York, NY: $129,815
- San Francisco, CA: $129,261
Key Factors Influencing Salary
Experience: Senior roles (10+ years) earn 40–60% more than entry-level.
Industry:
Highest pay (e.g., JPMorgan CISAs earn ~$174,086) in Finance & Tech companies
Slightly lower salary in Healthcare & Government but stable.
Certifications: Combining CISA with CISSP or CISM boosts salaries by 10–20%.
Skills: Expertise in cloud security (AWS/Azure) or GDPR/HIPAA compliance commands premiums
CISA Aspirants’ Future Scope: The Road Ahead
The ISACA CISA certification is highly likely to be beneficial for you if you are currently or want to become an IT auditor. It is recognized to be a reliable indicator of the skills required to succeed in the Information Systems/IT profession.
The CBPIT is a professional certification that requires time and money investment for both of those, but the return on these investments is well worth it.
There is a significant demand for experts with the expertise to manage IS/IT audit and assurance initiatives.
CISA-certified professionals earn 27% more than non-certified peers (ISACA 2025 Salary Survey).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28% growth for IT auditors by 2030.
Employers value the CISA professional certification and give it a high priority when hiring for open positions. Obtaining this accreditation has been shown to aid in the advancement of IT and information security professionals.
FAQs
Is CISA certification exam hard?
The CISA exam is challenging, with just 50% of test-takers passing on average and considerably lower percentages for first-timers.
With practice questions, facts, question and answer breakdowns, and course information, a CISA Review Manual provides all you need for self-study.
However, candidates using ISACA’s QAE Database boost success rates to 85%.
How long does CISA certification take?
Most candidates pass in 3–6 months with 100–150 study hours.
Is CISA Certification Worth it?
In our expert opinion, yes, it is well worth it. It’s only natural to follow your passion and pursue a career in CISA if you know what you want.
