Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Course

About this certification

What Is the CISA Certification?

ISACA’s globally recognised certification for information systems auditors.

The certification explained

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) is ISACA’s globally recognised certification for information systems audit, control and assurance professionals. It validates your expertise across the IS audit process, IT governance, systems acquisition and development, operations and resilience, and protecting information assets.

It’s built around five job-practice domains that reflect what IS auditors actually do, making it the most widely recognised credential for assuring the security and integrity of information systems worldwide.

CISA has a real experience requirement. To become CISA-certified you must pass the exam and have around five years of relevant IS audit, control, assurance or security experience (some waivers and substitutions apply). You can sit the exam first and earn the certification within five years once your experience is verified. This course is built around your preparation, and your account manager can guide you through registering with ISACA.

150

exam questions across the five job-practice domains

5

job-practice domains covering the work of IS auditors

ISACA

the global professional body that awards CISA

Global

the top IS audit credential worldwide

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

CISA suits audit, security and IT professionals who want to prove their expertise with the world’s most recognised IS audit certification.

IS / IT Auditors

Already auditing systems and controls and want the global credential that proves it.

Security & Risk Professionals

Working in information security or risk and want to formalise your audit and assurance expertise.

IT Governance & Compliance Staff

Responsible for governance, controls or compliance and want a recognised standard to work to.

Aspiring CISA Holders

You’re building the experience and want to prepare thoroughly to pass the CISA exam.

Consultants & Advisors

Win more work with a credential clients recognise and trust worldwide.

Experienced IT Professionals Moving into Audit

Pivoting from a technical IT role into audit and assurance, and want the credential that opens the door.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 7 modules covering ISACA’s five CISA job-practice domains, plus dedicated exam preparation. You learn through interactive course materials, hands-on labs, exercises and practice tests throughout.

Introduction & the CISA Exam

How the exam works · The five job-practice domains · How to use the course

~2 hrs

Information Systems Auditing Process

Audit standards & guidelines · Planning & risk-based auditing · Evidence & reporting

~5 hrs

Governance & Management of IT

IT governance frameworks · Strategy & policies · Organisational structure & risk management

~5 hrs

IS Acquisition, Development & Implementation

Project governance · System development lifecycle · Controls & testing · Implementation

~5 hrs

IS Operations & Business Resilience

IT operations & service management · Business continuity · Disaster recovery

~5 hrs

Protection of Information Assets

Security frameworks & controls · Network & data security · Identity & access management

~5 hrs

Exam Preparation & Practice Questions

Exam technique · Full practice tests · Weak-area review · Final review

~3 hrs

What the course covers

The Audit Process & IT Governance

Audit standards & guidelines

Risk-based audit planning

Evidence & reporting

IT governance frameworks

Strategy, policies & structure

IT risk management

Systems, Operations & Resilience

System development lifecycle

Controls & testing

Implementation & migration

IT operations & service management

Business continuity

Disaster recovery

Protecting Information Assets

Security frameworks & controls

Network & data security

Identity & access management

Encryption & key concepts

Security incident response

Physical & environmental controls

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

This course includes interactive course materials, hands-on labs, exercises and practice tests, plus the support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Built-In AI Tutor

An AI-powered tutor built right into your course — ask it anything, any time, and get clear, instant explanations of tricky topics 24/7.

Meet your AI tutor →

Hands-On Labs & Practice Tests

Interactive course materials, hands-on labs and exercises, plus exam-style practice tests modelled on the real CISA exam, so you build real skills and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and guide you through registering with ISACA when you’re ready.

Help when you need it →

Certificate of Completion & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official CISA certification itself is awarded by ISACA on passing the exam and meeting the experience requirement.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

In practice

CISA in the Real World

Organisations only stay secure and compliant when someone audits and assures their systems. See the kind of work CISA trains you for.

Auditing Controls

Giving the business confidence its controls actually work

Planning a risk-based audit, gathering evidence, evaluating IT controls and reporting findings that management can act on. CISA teaches the audit process and governance skills that turn a tangle of systems into a clear, defensible assurance opinion.

CISA in action A control gap in change management surfaces during your audit — you evidence it clearly and recommend a fix the business can implement.

Exam details

About the CISA Exam

The CISA exam is registered and taken through ISACA (via PSI — at a test centre or online with a remote proctor). It is not sold with this course; this course is the preparation that gets you ready, covering all five domains with hands-on labs, exercises and practice tests. Your account manager can guide you through registering with ISACA along the way.

Body

ISACA

Questions

150

Duration

4 hours

Pass mark

450 / 800

Domains

5

Experience

~5 years (for certification)

What to Expect on Exam Day

The CISA exam is registered and taken through ISACA via PSI — online with a remote proctor, or at a local test centre. Here’s how the journey works, from eligibility to applying for certification.

Meet ISACA eligibility / experience

Full CISA certification requires around five years of relevant IS audit, control, assurance or security experience (some waivers and substitutions apply). This course supports your preparation — check ISACA’s current requirements.

Register with ISACA

You register and pay for the exam through ISACA. Your account manager can point you in the right direction so you register with confidence.

Schedule the exam

Once registered, you schedule your exam through ISACA’s testing partner (PSI) — online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre near you.

On the day

You have 4 hours to answer 150 multiple-choice questions across the five CISA job-practice domains.

Results & applying for certification

You get a provisional result at the end of the exam. To become CISA-certified you then apply to ISACA with your verified experience — you can sit the exam first and earn the certification within five years once experience is confirmed.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★

80%

4★

15%

3★

5%

2★

0%

1★

0%

Dominic

I have recently booked the PRINCE2 certification. The process was made extremely easy for me with the help of Lanie, who was the account manager I spoke with. My questions were answered within minutes and the process was sped up thanks to Lanie.

C L WINCOTT

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I had a fantastic experience with Career Smarter from start to finish. Before enrolling on the CompTIA A+ course, they took the time to explain everything clearly, including what was included in the package and how the learning would work. I never felt rushed or pressured into making a decision, which I really appreciated.

They also showed me another training package that could be useful if I decide to continue my learning in the future, but there was absolutely no hard sell or constant follow-up. They simply gave me the information and left the decision entirely up to me, which made me feel much more comfortable.

To top it off, they offered me a discount, which was a lovely bonus.

The customer service has been excellent, they're knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely helpful. Based on my experience so far, I would highly recommend Career Smarter to anyone looking to start or develop a career in IT.

Thank you Lanie for top customer service!

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Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

CISA takes you from hands-on audit and IT work to leading bigger, more strategic assurance and audit functions. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

IT / audit experience

CISA Certified

£55k–£75k avg.

You are here

Senior IS Auditor

£65k–£85k avg.

IT Audit Manager

£80k–£100k avg.

Head of Audit / CISO-track

£100k–£140k avg.

CISA is the most recognised IS audit certification worldwide

CISA-certified auditors command a strong salary premium

Recommended next certifications

→ Lead security

CISM

ISACA’s security management certification — a natural pairing with CISA.

→ Security foundation

CompTIA Security+

Build a solid, vendor-neutral foundation in core security skills.

→ SOC analysis

CompTIA CySA+

Move into threat detection and security analytics in a SOC.

→ Advanced security

CompTIA SecurityX

Step up to advanced, expert-level enterprise security skills.

Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. The CISA exam itself is registered and taken separately through ISACA.

Right for you if…

You meet ISACA’s experience requirement (around five years of relevant IS audit, control, assurance or security experience) and want thorough preparation to pass the CISA exam with confidence.

Working toward it?

You can study now and sit the exam first, then certify once your experience is verified within five years. Your account manager can guide you through registering with ISACA.

CISA — Sale Price

£295 £195 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to prepare for the CISA exam. The exam itself is registered and taken separately through ISACA.

12 Months Course Access

Study anytime, on any device, 24/7

Built-In AI Tutor

Instant explanations 24/7

Hands-On Labs & Practice Tests

Interactive materials covering every domain

Account Manager Support

We guide you through registering with ISACA

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Change your mind, get a refund

Certificate of Completion & Digital Badge

On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £12.4/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

What is CISA and who awards it?

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) is the world's most recognised certification for information systems audit, control and assurance professionals, awarded by ISACA. It validates your expertise across the IS audit process, IT governance, systems acquisition and development, operations and resilience, and protecting information assets.

How long does the course take?

Most learners complete it in around 10–14 weeks, studying through interactive course materials, hands-on labs, exercises and practice tests. There's no time limit: you have 12 months' access, so you can study at whatever pace suits you.

What are the requirements to become CISA-certified?

To become CISA-certified you must pass the CISA exam and have around five years of relevant IS audit, control, assurance or security experience. Some waivers and substitutions apply, and you can sit the exam first and earn the certification within five years once your experience is verified. This course supports your preparation but doesn't replace ISACA's requirements — please check ISACA's current criteria, and your account manager can help you understand them.

Is the exam included?

No — the CISA exam is registered and taken separately through ISACA. This course is the training and exam preparation that gets you ready. Your account manager can guide you through registering with ISACA and understanding the experience requirement.

Is CISA worth it?

For most audit, security and IT professionals, yes. CISA is globally recognised, opens doors to more senior audit and assurance roles, and CISA-certified auditors typically command a strong salary premium. It's a powerful signal to employers that you can audit and assure information systems to a recognised standard.

How does finance at checkout work?

At checkout you can choose flexible finance options to spread the cost. You'll gain immediate full access to all course materials as soon as your first payment is confirmed.

CISA — Certified Information Systems Auditor

What Is the CISA Certification?

The certification explained

This Course Is for You If…

IS / IT Auditors

Security & Risk Professionals

IT Governance & Compliance Staff

Aspiring CISA Holders

Consultants & Advisors

Experienced IT Professionals Moving into Audit

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

What the course covers

Everything You Need to Succeed

12 Months Course Access

Built-In AI Tutor

Hands-On Labs & Practice Tests

Account Manager Support

Certificate of Completion & Digital Badge

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

CISA in the Real World

Giving the business confidence its controls actually work

Making sure information assets are properly protected

Checking the business can keep running when things go wrong

About the CISA Exam

What to Expect on Exam Day

Meet ISACA eligibility / experience

Register with ISACA

Schedule the exam

On the day

Results & applying for certification

What Our Students Say

Where This Certification Takes You

CISM

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA CySA+

CompTIA SecurityX

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CISA and who awards it?

How long does the course take?

What are the requirements to become CISA-certified?

Is the exam included?

Is CISA worth it?

How does finance at checkout work?

Become a certifiedIS auditor today.

Become a certified
IS auditor today.