Thanks to the ever-increasing incidents of cyber-attacks, hacks, and threats, the term “cyber-security” is now being thrown around a lot. However, are you aware of what it means?
Cyber-security refers to a standard set of practices, processes, and technologies designed to protect the integrity of devices, programs, systems/networks, and most importantly, data from unauthorized access, or attack, or breach.
Usually, cyber-attacks and crimes aim to access, violate, destroy, and leverage sensitive information (data) as a means to get to the goal.
It could be anything – money extortion, disrupting the normal functioning of businesses or damaging a person/company’s reputation. A well-designed and implemented cyber-security strategy is one that has multiple layers of protection covering a wide range of networks, computers, and programs.
What is the CISA Certification?
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential is offered by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). The designation has to be achieved after successfully clearing ISACA’s comprehensive application and exam process.
The CISA certification course is best-suited for professionals working in Information Technology or Information Systems. It demonstrates a professional’s ability to audit, control, and manage an organization’s information systems.
The certification has become a global standard for measuring a professional’s skill, knowledge, and expertise to assess, evaluate, and handle vulnerabilities and implementing IT control in an enterprise environment.
As Marios Damianides, CISA, CISM, Partner (Ernst and Young LLP, USA), puts it:
“The world of technology is ever-changing, and I need to know that my employees are prepared to face such challenges. The CISA designation is an excellent indicator of proficiency in technology controls.”
The benefits of CISA certification:
- It is the best niche qualification for security professionals.
Compared to other certifications in the domain (such as the CIA or the CPA), the CISA certification is much more technical and specialized. It focuses on skill-building and the best practices in information systems security, audit, and control.
- It is globally recognized and accredited.
All countries accept the CISA certification as a mark of excellence for auditing IT systems in an enterprise environment. Thus, you can bag well-paying jobs in reputed companies in any part of the world.
- It boosts your chances of promotion.
Since CISA certification is a high-level credential, it qualifies a professional as being more skilled and trained in handling IS/IT systems compared to their non-certified counterparts. As a result, when you become CISA certified, your chances of climbing the promotional ladder in a company increase.
- It promises higher salary packages.
Being CISA certified would mean that a professional is aware of the best practices in the domain and is capable of performing value-added services for a company. Thus, naturally, he/she will earn more compared to those who aren’t certified.
- The demand for IT Auditing is increasing.
As businesses continue to put an increased emphasis on strengthening their internal control systems, the demand for IT Auditing will also increase. Financial institutions (in both audit and non-audit lines) create the highest demand for CISA certified professionals.
The best way to start your CISA journey is to enroll in an online training course specifically tailored to train candidates for the CISA exam. Proper guidance and a strategic learning approach of a training course will ensure that you can clear the CISA exam in one go!
Today, cybersecurity has gained a crucial status in the industry because now every organization – starting from the government, defense forces, corporate, financial, and medical institutions – gathers, stores, processes, and analyzes massive amounts of data. So, in a sense, every organization is in possession of sensitive data.
Data is like a pot of gold for cyber-criminals. Since organizations and enterprises transfer and exchange sensitive data over millions of connected devices, networks, and systems every day, it is imperative to have a strong cyber-security shield to protect this data from a violation.
As cyber-criminals are always looking for exploitation opportunities, even a minor glitch or error on a company’s part could become their entry point of attack.
Read More: Huawei Banned In US, Is China Trying To Spy With Its Phones And Apps?
Why start a career in Cyber-security?
As a rapidly growing industry with a severe shortage of the right talent, this is the time to build a promising career in cyber-security. The importance of cyber-security continues to grow in every sector.
Companies, big or small, handling and working with data cannot do without a cyber-security team. Without the expertise of cyber-security professionals, organizations could go from being at the top straight to the rock bottom.
Besides, here are a few more reasons why you should choose to start a career in Cyber-security:
#1. Steep demand
As technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, so have the techniques of cyber-criminals. Not only do they use highly-advanced exploit kits to hack into the company systems, but they also use radical approaches.
For instance, nowadays, cyber-criminals use human social engineering (imitating the behavior of humans closest to the victim like their spouse or boss) tactics to target a victim.
To counter the efforts of such smart cyber-criminals, an organization needs cyber-security professionals who know the domain inside-out. Thus, employers across all sectors are creating a massive demand for trained cyber-security experts.
#2. Dynamic and satisfying job roles
In Cyber-security, you will be spoilt for choice. After all, there are so many dynamic job roles to choose from.
Chief Information Security Officer, Forensic Computer Analyst, Information Security Analyst, Security Architect, Security Engineer, Security Software Developer, Penetration Tester – so many options are available!
The best part is that all of these job roles require constant upskilling and learning, so you will always keep learning and expanding the horizons of your knowledge.
#3. High pay
As satisfying and demanding job roles are in cyber-security, they also come with high remuneration and compensation. Almost every professional in this field earns in six figures, not less. Not to forget, the cyber-security sector has a zero percent unemployment rate.
Sources: Hyperlinked within article
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