Some individuals believe that the CISA and CISM - cybersecurity certifications from ISACA are the same things. As the names indicate, CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) are meant for professionals on different career paths. The CISA is for IT auditors, while the CISM is designed for managers of information risk (IT security managers).
In this article, we’ll look at the differences between the two certifications.
What is the CISA Certification?
The CISA certification is acknowledged globally and geared towards IS security professionals, assurance and audit control.
CISA-certified professionals have audit knowledge, expertise, and experience and can institute controls, a statement on compliance, and evaluate vulnerabilities within an organization.
The certification comprises of the following modules:
1. Information systems audit: on the achievement of this module, applicants will be able to provide audit services according to regulations and criteria to better the organization protect and control information systems. They are also capable of concluding the state of an IS and IT security, risks, and handling solutions within the organization.
2. Management and governance of IT: In this module applicants will learn how to deliver assurance that the required processes, structures, and management have been implemented to support the organization’s policy and accomplish its objectives. They are also able to classify critical issues and propose practices particular to the company to safeguard and strengthen the governance of information and associating technologies.
3. Acquiring, developing and implementing information systems: This module will qualify applicants to give assurances that the practices in these domains will satisfy both the goals and strategies of the organization.
4. Operating, maintaining, and servicing management information systems: on successful completion of this module, applicants will be able to give assurances that methods also assemble objectives and strategies. They are also skilled in IT controls and understand how IT links to business.
5. Information asset protection: This Module qualifies a professional to be able to assure the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information assets while establishing physical and logical access controls and other security measures. As cybersecurity affects practically all information systems positions, understanding its difficulties, best practices, and principles is an important focus covered in this module.
What is the CISM Certification?
The CISM certification confirms an individual’s information security management expertise.
The CISM certification is focused on management and supports international IS security practices. It is geared towards professionals who handle, design and controls and evaluate information security at an organization.
The certification comprises of the following four modules:
Information Security Governance
Information Risk Management
Information Security Program Development and Management
Information Security Incident Management
CISA vs. CISM
CISA and CISM are two completely different certifications with different careers paths. Briefly speaking, CISA is the certification designed for auditors whereas CISM is a certification for information security managers and risk managers. As reported by ISACA itself, CISM is a certification that recognizes a professional who “manages, designs, oversees and assesses an enterprise’s information security.” Presently more than 32000 professionals have achieved CISM certification.
On the other hand, CISA acknowledges an audit professional’s experience to “assess IS vulnerabilities, a statement on compliance and institute controls within the organization.” Presently more than 129,000 professionals have earned CISA certification.
Originally, CISA certification was also defined as a suitable qualification for information security managers, but the job of an IS auditor and IS security manager are completely different. CISM is not a certification intended for those who are information security practitioners. It is appropriate for those who have grown up in the career to be at managerial jobs and are making key information security management determinations. So while CISA is a certification suited for hands-on information systems auditor, CISM is meant for those who manage the information security, hands-on professionals.
The domains knowledge of both the certifications is aiming at information security, but there is a fundamental difference. CISM is a certification tasked with assuring enterprise’s information security whereas CISA is intended for professionals who assure information security controls.
Different Job Profiles of CISA and CISM
The job profiles of CISA certification holders often focuses on IT auditing, controls, regulatory compliance and a lot of time audit of IT infrastructure. On the other hand, most CISM job profiles are associated to information security management, business continuity planning, information security risk analysis, disaster recovery planning, and business impact analysis, etc.
Best way to perceive the difference and similarities between CISA and CISM is to read the programme areas of both the certifications as published on the ISACA website. CISA has five programme areas, and CISM has four programme areas. There are some similarities in the syllabus, but we must not miss perception of the fact that the key difference between CISA and CISM is that one is meant for IT audit professionals and the other is designed for managers of information security professionals.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the modules contained within each certification, they are aimed at very distinct levels of cybersecurity. While the CISM concentrates on the concrete design and implementation of cybersecurity, individuals with the CISA certification look at cybersecurity more comprehensively and assure that it is in line with the organization’s entire strategy and objectives. As such, having professionals with either certification within an organization is evenly important.
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