Top 10 IT Auditor Certifications

Certifications are important for an IT auditor in the job market as they demonstrate a level of competence and proficiency in the profession. Certifications provide employers with assurance that the individual has met certain qualifications and is knowledgeable in the field. They also indicate that the individual has taken initiative to develop their skills and stay current on industry standards. Additionally, certifications can give IT auditors an edge over other potential candidates when it comes to job opportunities.

This article reviews the best certifications for IT Auditors and explains how they can help to advance an IT Auditor's career.

What are IT Auditor Certifications?

An IT auditor certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the area of information technology (IT) auditing. The certification is designed to validate a person’s knowledge and experience in the field, as well as their ability to apply the appropriate principles and techniques for performing effective IT audits. It also provides assurance that the individual has met certain standards of competency and can provide valuable insights into potential risks and control weaknesses throughout an organization’s IT environment.

The primary benefit of obtaining an IT auditor certification is that it allows individuals to demonstrate their proficiency in the field of IT auditing. Professionals who possess this certification are able to command higher salaries and find more job opportunities than those without it. An IT auditor certification also serves as a symbol of trustworthiness and reliability, which can be beneficial when working with clients or other organizations.

In addition, having an IT auditor certification can help individuals stay up-to-date on industry trends, changes in regulations, and new technologies. This can help them develop better audit plans, use more effective tools, and produce more accurate reports. Furthermore, having an IT auditor certification will make it easier for employers to assess a candidate’s level of expertise when considering hiring decisions or promotions within the organization. Finally, being certified may also open up new opportunities for professional growth such as teaching classes or attending specialized conferences related to IT auditing.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of free online resources to familiarize yourself with IT auditing terminology and principles. Many certification programs offer practice exams and sample questions that can help you prepare for the exam. Additionally, attending an IT audit-focused conference or taking a course can provide you with valuable tips and tricks on what to expect during the certification process.

Related: What does an IT Auditor do?

Top 10 IT Auditor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to IT Auditors today.

1. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a certification offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved an advanced level of knowledge and experience in the field of information systems audit, control, and security.

It typically takes between 6 to 18 months to complete the CISA certification process. The process involves passing an exam, submitting an application for certification, and completing a professional experience verification form.

To get started on the CISA certification process, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set forth by ISACA. These include having five years of cumulative paid work experience in at least three of the five domains covered by the CISA exam. Additionally, you must register with ISACA and pay a registration fee.

The cost of obtaining CISA certification varies depending on your country of residence. In general, it will cost approximately $450 USD for non-members to register for the exam, plus an additional $50 USD for each domain that you choose to take.

2. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification program offered by ISACA, an international professional association focused on IT governance. The CRISC certification is designed to recognize IT professionals who have the knowledge and skills to identify, assess, control and monitor enterprise IT risks. It is a valuable credential for professionals working in the fields of information security, risk management, IT audit and compliance.

The CRISC exam consists of four domains: Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk Response and Mitigation, and Risk Monitoring & Reporting. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and covers a wide range of topics related to risk management.

To become certified in CRISC, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set forth by ISACA. These include having at least three years of experience in risk assessment or management-related roles as well as passing the CRISC exam with a score of at least 70%.

Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam through ISACA's website. The cost of registration varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $450-$550 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CRISC certification from ISACA within 6-8 weeks.

3. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and is designed to demonstrate an individual’s proficiency in the profession. The CIA designation requires an individual to have a comprehensive understanding of internal auditing standards, principles, and practices.

To become a Certified Internal Auditor, individuals must meet certain requirements. These include having at least two years of professional experience in internal auditing or related fields and passing a three-part exam administered by the IIA. Each part of the exam covers different topics such as risk management, governance, control environment, information systems, and financial statement analysis.

The entire process typically takes six months to one year to complete depending on how quickly you can study for and pass each part of the exam. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your country but typically ranges from $800-$1,000 USD.

4. Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)

Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of auditors who work for government entities. The CGAP certification is offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

The CGAP exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as risk assessment, audit planning, audit execution, and reporting. To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience in government auditing or related fields. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and can be taken at any IIA-approved testing center.

The cost of taking the CGAP exam varies depending on your location, but typically ranges from $350-$450 USD. Additionally, there is an annual membership fee to maintain your CGAP certification that is currently set at $100 USD per year.

In order to become certified as a CGAP, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from the IIA confirming your status as a Certified Government Auditing Professional.

5. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation given to individuals who have met the educational, experience, and examination requirements set by their state board of accountancy. CPAs are qualified to provide a wide range of accounting services, including auditing financial statements, preparing taxes, providing financial advice and consulting services, and more.

In order to become a CPA, candidates must complete the following steps:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field from an accredited college or university.

2. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

3. Meet any additional requirements specified by the individual state board of accountancy where they plan to practice.

The amount of time it takes to become a CPA varies depending on individual circumstances; however, most people take between two and four years to complete all requirements. The cost for becoming a CPA also varies depending on the state; however, most states require fees for applications, exams, and other related costs that can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars.

6. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professional designation given by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated expertise in fraud detection, prevention, and deterrence. The CFE credential is recognized worldwide as the standard for anti-fraud professionals.

To become a CFE, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements and pass an examination. Applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience in fraud examination or related fields. They must also have at least two years of professional experience in fraud examination or related fields.

The CFE exam consists of four parts: Fraud Prevention and Deterrence; Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes; Investigation; and Law. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions.

The cost to obtain the CFE credential is $300 for ACFE members and $400 for non-members. This includes the cost of the application fee, exam fee, study materials, and other related costs.

7. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a globally recognized certification that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in information security. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of information security and assurance, as well as the ability to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.

The GSEC certification exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as network security, system security, cryptography, access control, authentication, risk management, incident response and forensics.

To obtain GSEC certification, individuals must first meet the eligibility requirements set by GIAC. These include having at least two years of experience in information security or related field and passing the GSEC exam with a score of 70% or higher. After meeting the eligibility requirements, individuals can register for the exam through GIAC’s website and pay a fee of $1150 USD. Once registered for the exam, individuals have up to one year to take it.

Once an individual has successfully passed the GSEC exam they will be awarded their certificate which is valid for four years from the date of issue. To maintain their certification status individuals must pass one recertification exam every four years or complete 40 CPE credits per year.

8. ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an advanced certification offered by ISACA, a global association for information security professionals. It is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and experience necessary to manage, design, oversee and assess an enterprise’s information security. The CISM certification is highly sought after by employers looking for qualified information security professionals.

To become certified, you must meet certain requirements set forth by ISACA. These include having a minimum of five years of professional experience in information security management, passing the CISM exam, agreeing to abide by the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics and attending continuing professional education courses every three years.

It typically takes between six months to one year to prepare for the CISM exam. During this time, you should study relevant materials such as books and online courses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered on the exam.

You can register for the CISM exam online through ISACA's website or contact your local chapter for more information about taking it in person at a testing center near you. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your country of residence; however, it typically costs around $600 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be eligible to receive your CISM certification from ISACA. This certification is valid for three years before needing to be renewed through continuing professional education courses or retaking the exam.

9. CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers the essential principles for network security and risk management.

The CompTIA Security+ exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, and it takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location, but typically ranges from $320-$400 USD.

In order to obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must pass the Security+ exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900. To prepare for this exam, candidates should have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security and should be familiar with networking technologies, operating systems, mobile devices, virtualization/cloud concepts, identity management and access control systems. Additionally, candidates should have experience in risk management processes and incident response procedures.

Once you have passed the Security+ exam, you will receive an official certificate from CompTIA as well as recognition from employers worldwide that you possess the knowledge and skills necessary to secure their networks.

10. Microsoft Technology Associate: Database Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Database Fundamentals is a certification that validates the foundational knowledge of database design and implementation. It is designed to provide an entry-level understanding of the core concepts, principles, and skills necessary to work with databases. MTA Database Fundamentals covers topics such as normalization, data types, data manipulation language (DML), data definition language (DDL), and basic database administration.

The MTA Database Fundamentals exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40 questions. The exam covers topics such as relational databases, database objects and queries, data manipulation using SQL, database security and backup/restore operations.

To get the MTA Database Fundamentals certification you must pass Exam 98-364: Database Fundamentals. This exam can be taken at any Microsoft Certified Testing Center or online through Pearson VUE.

The cost for the MTA Database Fundamentals certification exam is $127 USD.

Do You Really Need a IT Auditor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals and the type of IT work you are pursuing. For those who are already working in IT, having an IT auditor certificate can be beneficial in terms of job security and promotion opportunities. It demonstrates a level of commitment and knowledge that employers may be looking for when hiring or promoting someone.

In addition, many organizations have specific requirements for their IT auditors, such as certifications from recognized institutions like the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) or the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Having an IT auditor certificate from one of these organizations can help you meet these requirements and show potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications for the job.

For those just starting out in IT, getting an IT auditor certificate can give you an edge over less experienced applicants by showing that you’ve taken the time to gain additional knowledge and skills in this field. It also shows potential employers that you take your career seriously and are willing to invest in yourself to stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Overall, whether or not you need an IT auditor certificate depends on a variety of factors related to your career goals and the type of work you do. If it is something that interests you or fits within your career plans, then it could be a worthwhile investment in terms of both time and money.

Related: IT Auditor Resume Examples

FAQs About IT Auditor Certifications

1. What is an IT Auditor Certification?

Answer: An IT Auditor certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to effectively audit and evaluate information technology systems and processes. It is designed to ensure that organizations are compliant with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining an IT Auditor Certification?

Answer: Obtaining an IT Auditor Certification provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to audit information technology systems and processes. This can be beneficial for employers by providing assurance that their IT systems are secure and well-managed, as well as providing job seekers with a competitive edge in the job market.

3. What types of certifications are available?

Answer: There are several different certifications available, including Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). Each certificate has its own set of requirements, so it’s important to research which one best fits your career goals.

4. How do I obtain an IT Auditor Certification?

Answer: To obtain an IT Auditor Certification, you must first pass an examination given by a recognized certifying organization such as ISACA or ISC2. After passing the exam, you must then complete certain educational requirements in order to become certified in the specific area of certification you have chosen.

5. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the type of certification you choose and how much experience you have in the field prior to taking the exam. Generally speaking, most certifications can be obtained within 12-18 months if studying is done on a regular basis.