Understanding the CISA Certification and the Importance of the 2024 Update
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification is one of the most respected credentials in the fields of IT auditing, cybersecurity, governance, and risk management. Administered by ISACA, this certification signifies a professional’s capability to assess and manage vulnerabilities, design controls, and ensure the effectiveness of information systems. Recognized across industries and borders, CISA remains a critical benchmark for IT auditors worldwide.
From financial institutions and healthcare providers to governmental agencies and global enterprises, organizations depend on skilled professionals to protect and evaluate their IT systems. CISA-certified individuals are trusted to ensure systems operate securely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations. The certification affirms expertise in both theory and practice, setting it apart from other qualifications in the industry.
Why CISA Holds Its Value
The role of IT auditors is more vital than ever. As organizations undergo digital transformation, the demand for professionals who can evaluate and assure technology processes has risen dramatically. CISA certification continues to meet this demand by providing a standardized approach to assessing IT infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities, and recommending control measures.
CISA-certified professionals are not only proficient in technical auditing practices but are also knowledgeable about business goals and regulatory requirements. This dual focus on IT and business makes the certification especially valuable for leadership roles. Many senior positions in risk management, compliance, and information assurance list CISA as either a preferred or mandatory qualification.
Furthermore, the certification is mapped to major global standards and frameworks such as COBIT, NIST, ISO 27001, and ITIL. This alignment makes CISA professionals well-equipped to contribute to internationally regulated environments, ensuring systems and processes meet the expectations of auditors, stakeholders, and regulators alike.
Why an Update Was Necessary
The CISA exam content had not undergone a significant revision since 2019. In the years since, major shifts have occurred in how businesses use and secure technology. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated remote work adoption, leading to new operational models and security risks. The expansion of cloud computing, AI tools, and hybrid infrastructures has transformed the IT landscape.
In parallel, the scope of IT auditing has evolved. Auditors are expected not only to assess systems but to understand cybersecurity operations, data privacy, resilience planning, and digital transformation initiatives. A certification that does not evolve with the field risks becoming obsolete or disconnected from real-world responsibilities.
Recognizing these changes, ISACA initiated a comprehensive review of the CISA certification structure. The result is a refined and modernized version of the exam, set to go into effect on August 1, 2024. While the core domains remain the same in name, the content within them has been significantly updated to reflect new realities and industry expectations.
Overview of the Five Domains
The CISA certification is structured around five core domains. These domains represent areas of knowledge and skills essential for effective information systems auditing. Each domain addresses distinct but interconnected aspects of an organization’s IT systems and the risks they present.
The five domains are:
- Information Systems Auditing Process
- Governance and Management of IT
- Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
- Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
- Protection of Information Assets
Each domain includes key activities, principles, and knowledge areas. Together, they provide a comprehensive view of what it means to evaluate, monitor, and assure information systems.
Key Changes in Domain Emphasis and Weight
One of the most notable changes in the 2024 update is the rebalancing of domain weights. These weights determine how many questions on the CISA exam will be drawn from each domain. Adjusting these weights reflects the shifting priorities in the IT audit profession.
In the updated structure, Domain 4 — Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — sees a significant increase in weight. This adjustment acknowledges the growing importance of resilience planning, incident response, and operational continuity. As organizations contend with frequent cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, and remote operations, the ability to ensure uninterrupted services has become a top priority.
Domain 5 — Protection of Information Assets — also remains highly weighted. This reflects the integral role of cybersecurity in every facet of IT auditing. Risk management, data protection, and attack mitigation are no longer optional knowledge areas but core components of auditing practices.
The remaining domains, while slightly lighter in emphasis, have not diminished in importance. Rather, their content has been streamlined and updated to reflect how audit processes and IT governance now function within modern digital ecosystems.
Domain 1: Information Systems Auditing Process
This domain lays the foundation for understanding the audit lifecycle. It covers everything from planning and scoping an audit to collecting evidence, reporting findings, and following up on corrective actions.
Auditors must demonstrate a solid understanding of auditing standards, risk-based approaches, sampling methods, data analytics, and communication techniques. In the 2024 update, additional emphasis is placed on integrating audit activities with IT operations and governance frameworks.
Domain 2: Governance and Management of IT
This domain focuses on evaluating the organizational structure, strategy, and controls related to IT management. It includes assessing policies, procedures, performance monitoring, resource allocation, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
With digital transformation and regulatory pressures on the rise, auditors must understand enterprise architecture, IT strategy alignment, and risk management. The updated content includes modern practices around IT performance metrics and strategic alignment between business and IT goals.
Domain 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
Domain 3 examines how organizations plan, build, and deploy information systems. It includes understanding project management, system development methodologies, feasibility analysis, control design, and post-implementation evaluation.
The 2024 revision expands coverage of agile methodologies, DevOps practices, cloud-based implementations, and the use of automation in deployment and testing. Auditors must now be comfortable assessing both traditional and modern system development lifecycles.
Domain 4: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This domain has grown significantly in scope and weight. It addresses how organizations manage IT operations, infrastructure, and service delivery while ensuring continuity and resilience in the face of disruption.
The revised content emphasizes change and patch management, incident handling, service-level agreements, database management, job scheduling, and business continuity planning. Auditors must now understand both technical operations and how they contribute to organizational resilience.
Domain 5: Protection of Information Assets
Security is embedded in every layer of IT operations, and this domain reflects that reality. It covers identity and access management, encryption, physical security, endpoint protection, security awareness, and incident response.
The 2024 update enhances topics on mobile and IoT device security, virtual environments, cloud security, threat detection tools, and digital forensics. Cybersecurity is no longer treated as a specialized skill set but a foundational requirement for auditors.
How the Update Impacts Candidates
For those preparing to earn their CISA certification, the 2024 update represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the exam is now more aligned with current practices, it also demands a broader range of knowledge. Candidates must understand not only audit methodology but also technologies and practices related to cybersecurity, business continuity, and governance.
Studying for the new exam requires current, official materials that reflect the updated domains. Legacy guides and outdated practice exams may no longer be adequate. It is important for candidates to align their preparation with the new exam blueprint and utilize training resources that include practical exercises and real-world scenarios.
Candidates should also consider their own work experience when preparing for the exam. Because the CISA exam tests both conceptual understanding and application, familiarity with real audit tasks can make a significant difference in performance.
How the Update Affects Organizations and Employers
Organizations that hire and support CISA-certified professionals benefit from the certification’s updated structure. The revised content ensures that certified staff are equipped to handle today’s technology risks and regulatory expectations.
Employers should also take note of the shift toward resilience and cybersecurity within the exam. These priorities reflect broader trends across industries. As a result, having CISA professionals on staff can help organizations prepare for audits, reduce operational risks, and strengthen compliance programs.
For those already certified, the update serves as a reminder to refresh their knowledge. Continuing professional education (CPE) is a requirement for maintaining the CISA credential, and this is an opportune time to pursue training on the updated content areas.
Looking Ahead: Embracing a Modernized Certification
The 2024 update positions CISA for the future. By modernizing its content while retaining its core structure, ISACA ensures the certification remains relevant, practical, and valuable in a complex digital world.
Auditors are increasingly asked to play proactive roles in cybersecurity, business continuity, and IT governance. The updated certification reflects this expanded scope and better prepares professionals to succeed in evolving roles.
Whether you’re an aspiring auditor, a seasoned professional looking to stay current, or an employer evaluating team competencies, understanding this update is essential. As the digital environment continues to shift, CISA stands ready to remain a trusted credential in assessing, securing, and governing information systems.
Introduction to the 2024 CISA Domain Framework
The 2024 update to the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification introduces not just refreshed content but a redefined approach to evaluating modern IT audit competencies. While the five domain names remain unchanged, their internal structure, weightings, and areas of emphasis have been significantly updated.
This transformation addresses major shifts in the digital and regulatory landscape—particularly the growth of remote work, cloud services, cybersecurity threats, and demands for business resilience. Understanding what each domain now entails is crucial for anyone preparing for the updated exam or seeking to align their professional knowledge with current standards.
In this article, we’ll explore each domain in depth, highlighting new topic areas, emerging skill requirements, and the rationale behind these changes. Whether you’re a candidate or an IT leader, this detailed walkthrough will help you fully grasp the knowledge areas that matter most in today’s audit environment.
Information Systems Auditing Process
This foundational domain focuses on planning, executing, and reporting on audits that assess the effectiveness of an organization’s information systems and controls. While this domain has always formed the backbone of the CISA exam, the 2024 update strengthens its alignment with real-world IT environments.
Auditors are expected to understand how audits support business goals, how to apply risk-based methodologies, and how to work with both manual and automated evidence sources. Data analytics, once a supplementary skill, is now a core competency within this domain.
Key knowledge areas include:
- Audit standards and professional ethics
- Business process analysis
- Control types and control design
- Risk-based audit planning and scoping
- Audit project management and quality assurance
- Sampling methods and evidence collection
- Reporting techniques and communication with stakeholders
- Continuous auditing and audit automation tools
Audit professionals must now demonstrate the ability to integrate their audit activities with enterprise risk management (ERM) and IT governance practices. This includes recognizing how changes in business strategy or technology can impact audit priorities.
Governance and Management of IT
This domain assesses an auditor’s ability to evaluate the structure, strategy, policies, and performance of an organization’s IT governance and management frameworks. It reflects the growing demand for alignment between IT systems and business objectives.
Organizations are increasingly judged on how well their technology supports their mission and strategy. As a result, auditors are expected to understand not just control environments but the broader frameworks that guide IT decision-making.
Updated knowledge areas include:
- IT governance structures and strategic alignment
- IT-related frameworks such as COBIT, ISO, and NIST
- IT policies, procedures, and performance monitoring
- Enterprise architecture and organizational design
- Resource management, including vendor and outsourcing oversight
- Maturity models and capability assessments
- Legal, regulatory, and industry compliance obligations
- Enterprise risk management and reporting
This domain places greater emphasis on evaluating IT performance metrics, KPIs, and SLAs. Auditors must know how to measure effectiveness, detect misalignments between IT and business units, and ensure compliance with evolving global standards.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
With the rapid pace of digital transformation, this domain is more important than ever. It focuses on evaluating the processes organizations use to acquire or develop new systems and ensure that they are implemented securely and efficiently.
The updated domain includes a strong emphasis on agile development, DevOps, and cloud deployment. Traditional waterfall methodologies are still relevant but are now covered alongside iterative and continuous delivery models. This reflects the shift in how modern organizations build and release technology solutions.
Topics now include:
- Project governance and steering committee oversight
- Business case development and cost-benefit analysis
- System development methodologies (SDLC, agile, DevOps)
- Secure design and development best practices
- Internal control design and validation
- Testing methodologies and release planning
- Change and configuration management
- System migration, infrastructure deployment, and data conversion
- Post-implementation evaluation and lessons learned
Auditors are expected to assess risks throughout the development lifecycle, including during feasibility planning, testing, and rollout. Understanding cloud migration strategies, release management, and system decommissioning is essential.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This domain has seen the largest increase in exam weight, reflecting the critical need for operational stability and resilience in today’s digital enterprises. It addresses how organizations manage day-to-day IT operations, as well as how they plan for and recover from disruptions.
Operational efficiency is no longer enough—organizations must demonstrate that they can maintain continuity under adverse conditions. This means having well-documented processes for incident response, backup, disaster recovery, and service continuity.
The updated domain includes the following areas:
- IT infrastructure components and architecture
- Job scheduling, production automation, and process integration
- End-user computing and desktop management
- Database administration and data governance
- IT asset inventory and lifecycle tracking
- Performance and availability monitoring
- Problem and incident management
- Patch, change, and configuration management
- Service-level agreements (SLAs) and vendor support terms
- Business continuity planning and disaster recovery
Auditors must assess whether operational risks are adequately addressed and whether the organization can resume critical functions quickly following a disruption. This includes evaluating not just documentation, but actual testing and real-world performance of resilience plans.
Protection of Information Assets
Cybersecurity now touches nearly every aspect of IT operations, which is why this domain carries significant weight. It focuses on the principles, technologies, and practices used to protect information assets from internal and external threats.
With the increasing complexity of cyber threats, auditors must understand a wide range of technical and procedural controls. These include traditional access controls as well as modern tools like encryption, endpoint protection, and security event monitoring.
Topics now covered in this domain include:
- Data classification and ownership policies
- Identity and access management (IAM)
- Physical and environmental security controls
- Network and endpoint defense strategies
- Encryption standards and key management
- Public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates
- Cloud security and virtualized environments
- Mobile and IoT device security
- Secure web communication protocols
- Security awareness and user education
- Threat intelligence and detection tools
- Incident response planning and forensic analysis
Auditors must evaluate whether organizations have implemented layered security controls, whether detection tools are actively used, and how effectively the incident response process is managed. Increasingly, organizations are expected to follow a risk-based approach to securing data—focusing protection efforts where it matters most.
Interconnected Knowledge Across Domains
While the domains are treated separately for exam purposes, in practice they are deeply interconnected. A change in one area—such as introducing a new cloud-based system—can have implications across governance, development, operations, and security.
For example, evaluating an organization’s decision to outsource IT services requires understanding how vendors are selected (governance), how contracts define expectations (operations), how data is protected during transmission and storage (security), and how incidents are managed when something goes wrong (resilience).
The updated CISA framework encourages candidates to think holistically and contextually. Success on the exam, and more importantly, in professional practice, comes from seeing the big picture—not just technical processes, but how they align with risk appetite, strategy, and compliance requirements.
How Candidates Should Approach Their Preparation
Preparing for the 2024 exam requires more than just reviewing outdated PDFs or watching generic video tutorials. The breadth of the update means that older materials may not align with the new knowledge requirements.
Candidates should focus their study efforts on updated resources that reflect the revised domain structure. These may include official study guides, practice databases, instructor-led courses, and simulation labs. Emphasis should be placed on:
- Understanding domain interconnectivity
- Applying knowledge in scenario-based questions
- Familiarity with current IT practices, especially in cloud, cybersecurity, and resilience
- Using case studies to develop audit reasoning and judgment
It’s also recommended to create a study plan based on the revised domain weights. Since Domain 4 and Domain 5 now make up over 50% of the exam, these areas deserve proportionally more attention in your preparation strategy.
How Organizations Can Benefit from the Updated Framework
Organizations can use the updated CISA domains as a roadmap for evaluating and improving their IT audit practices. By aligning internal audit functions with the revised content, companies can ensure their teams are equipped to identify modern risks and enforce modern controls.
Training programs, audit checklists, and IT governance frameworks can all be mapped to the updated CISA structure. This ensures that audit professionals remain relevant, that findings are rooted in global best practices, and that the organization’s assurance mechanisms are forward-looking.
Hiring managers can also use the CISA update to refine job descriptions, interview questions, and professional development plans. Whether onboarding new staff or evaluating current competencies, the updated framework provides a comprehensive view of what today’s IT auditors should know.
A Comprehensive, Modernized Skill Set
The 2024 revision to the CISA domains is more than just an exam change—it reflects a deeper shift in how audit, security, governance, and resilience must operate in a digitally transformed world. Each domain now covers more relevant, practical, and high-impact content.
Whether you’re preparing for the exam or seeking to build a stronger IT audit team, understanding the revised knowledge areas is key to success. Today’s auditors must be strategic thinkers, technology evaluators, and risk managers—capable of both assessing systems and understanding the business value they support.
With this deeper and more practical structure, the CISA certification remains not only relevant but essential for modern IT assurance professionals.
Understanding What the 2024 Update Means for Your Preparation
With the 2024 update to the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam, candidates face a newly structured and more dynamic testing experience. The exam still evaluates a professional’s competence across five essential domains, but the knowledge expectations have expanded. The changes are designed to better reflect current IT practices, cybersecurity demands, and business continuity needs.
This shift presents new opportunities—and new challenges—for those planning to sit for the exam. Candidates must now demonstrate familiarity with topics such as agile project methodologies, cloud deployments, advanced security techniques, and IT service continuity. These topics weren’t as prominent in earlier versions of the exam.
To succeed, aspiring CISAs need to approach the exam with a well-organized study plan, use updated resources, and understand how the new exam aligns with real-world IT audit responsibilities. In this article, we’ll outline practical strategies for exam preparation, suggest tools and materials that align with the revised framework, and explore the long-term career benefits of achieving CISA certification.
How to Structure Your Study Plan
Creating a clear, focused study plan is essential for passing the new version of the CISA exam. The plan should be based on the official content outline released by ISACA and should allocate time proportionately based on the updated domain weights.
The domain weights for the 2024 exam are:
- Information Systems Auditing Process – 18%
- Governance and Management of IT – 18%
- Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation – 12%
- Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience – 26%
- Protection of Information Assets – 26%
Given that Domain 4 and Domain 5 together account for over half of the exam, your study schedule should dedicate at least 50% of total preparation time to these areas. Focus not only on memorizing content but also on applying it to real-world audit scenarios.
To structure your plan:
- Divide your study period into weekly segments.
- Assign each week to one domain, with additional time for Domains 4 and 5.
- Reserve the final weeks for review and practice exams.
- Incorporate breaks and adjust pacing to avoid burnout.
A typical 12-week plan may look like this:
- Weeks 1–2: Domain 1
- Weeks 3–4: Domain 2
- Week 5: Domain 3
- Weeks 6–8: Domain 4
- Weeks 9–11: Domain 5
- Week 12: Comprehensive review and final practice exams
Best Study Resources for the 2024 CISA Exam
Selecting the right materials is critical to success. Given the changes in the exam, relying on outdated books or courses could leave major gaps in your knowledge. Candidates should prioritize official and updated resources that reflect the 2024 revision.
Recommended materials include:
- The official ISACA CISA Study Guide (2024 edition): This is the most accurate and complete source of content and domain knowledge.
- The CISA Questions, Answers, and Explanations (QAE) Database: Provides thousands of practice questions that mimic the structure and difficulty of the actual exam. The 2024 version includes new scenario-based and analytical items.
- Instructor-led training courses: These offer real-time feedback and structure, especially useful if you benefit from live guidance.
- Flashcards and memory aids: Helpful for reviewing definitions, frameworks, and key principles.
- Online discussion forums or study groups: Useful for clarification, discussion of real-world applications, and peer support.
Make sure that all resources specifically state that they are updated for the 2024 version of the exam. ISACA periodically releases updated guides and tools, so always verify the publication year before purchasing.
Mastering Scenario-Based Questions
The updated exam places greater emphasis on context-rich and scenario-based questions. These items test more than just factual recall—they evaluate your ability to analyze a situation, identify risks or gaps, and recommend appropriate responses.
To prepare for these:
- Practice identifying control weaknesses in given scenarios.
- Learn how to prioritize findings based on risk impact and likelihood.
- Understand the relationship between IT controls, organizational policies, and business objectives.
- Review real-world examples of audit findings, system failures, and security incidents.
- Practice reading long-form questions quickly and identifying key facts under time pressure.
Many candidates find that scenario-based questions take longer to answer. As a result, managing your time during the exam is essential. Take several timed practice tests to build both speed and accuracy.
Understanding the Exam Format
The CISA exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed in four hours. Each question presents four possible answer choices, and there is no penalty for guessing.
While many questions are straightforward, a growing number involve nuanced decision-making. You may be asked to choose the most appropriate course of action, the best control to implement, or the most likely explanation for an audit finding.
Key details to remember:
- All five domains are covered in each exam, but questions are distributed based on their respective weights.
- Questions are randomized, and topics may shift from one domain to another without warning.
- You will need to answer every question to maximize your score.
- Results are reported on a scaled score of 200–800, with 450 as the minimum passing score.
Familiarizing yourself with the test interface and pacing strategies can help ease anxiety on exam day.
The Role of Hands-On Experience
CISA certification isn’t just about passing a test—it also requires relevant professional experience. To become certified, candidates must have at least five years of work experience in information systems auditing, control, assurance, or security.
Up to three years of experience may be waived under certain conditions, such as:
- One year of general IT experience or one year of non-IS auditing experience
- A maximum of two years of experience substitutions for specific academic degrees
Hands-on experience is vital because the exam tests real-world judgment and problem-solving, not just academic knowledge. Candidates who have conducted risk assessments, participated in audits, or managed IT controls will find many exam questions familiar.
If you’re still building your work experience, you can still take the exam. Once you pass, you’ll have five years to accumulate and verify the required experience for full certification.
Benefits of Achieving CISA Certification
Becoming a CISA-certified professional can lead to significant career benefits, including increased earning potential, expanded job opportunities, and elevated professional credibility.
Common job roles held by CISA-certified professionals include:
- IT auditor
- Security consultant
- Risk and compliance analyst
- Audit manager
- Information assurance officer
- Internal controls specialist
CISA is often listed as a preferred or required credential in job postings, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and large enterprise IT. Employers view the certification as a mark of professionalism, ethics, and specialized knowledge.
Beyond job titles, CISA holders tend to command higher salaries. According to industry salary surveys, certified professionals often earn significantly more than their non-certified peers in similar roles. The return on investment for exam preparation and certification fees is typically high.
Long-Term Career Impact and Growth Opportunities
The benefits of CISA go far beyond initial job placement. Over time, the certification can lead to senior roles in governance, risk, audit leadership, and strategic planning. CISA often serves as a springboard to executive-level positions such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Director of Audit, or Risk Management Officer.
Additionally, CISA can be used in combination with other certifications for career growth:
- Combine with CISM for broader information security leadership roles.
- Pair with CRISC for risk-focused roles in enterprise environments.
- Add CISSP for technical security and architecture positions.
The certification also requires continuing professional education (CPE), ensuring that professionals remain engaged and up-to-date with industry trends. This ongoing learning requirement supports career longevity and encourages lifelong development.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Preparation
While preparing for the CISA exam, many candidates fall into avoidable traps that reduce their chances of success. Being aware of these pitfalls can help keep your preparation on track.
Mistakes to watch for:
- Studying from outdated material: Ensure your resources align with the 2024 exam structure.
- Underestimating Domain 4 and Domain 5: These domains now carry the most weight and often include complex, real-world scenarios.
- Ignoring the application of knowledge: It’s not enough to memorize terms—you must understand how to apply them.
- Cramming too close to the exam: Start early and spread out your study sessions for better retention.
- Skipping practice tests: Mock exams help build familiarity with the format and identify weak areas.
Avoiding these mistakes requires discipline, focus, and an intentional approach to preparation.
Support Systems and Study Communities
Preparing for CISA doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. Many candidates benefit from joining study groups, online communities, or instructor-led courses. These resources provide accountability, different perspectives on complex topics, and access to experienced professionals.
Study communities can be found through:
- Online forums dedicated to IT audit and security
- Social media groups
- Local ISACA chapters
- Webinars and virtual bootcamps
Asking questions, discussing case studies, and sharing resources can significantly enhance understanding and retention.
Final Preparation Tips for Exam Day
When exam day arrives, preparation should shift from learning new content to reviewing and reinforcing what you already know.
Key strategies include:
- Take one or two full-length practice exams to simulate test conditions.
- Review your notes and flashcards.
- Focus on high-priority topics such as control evaluation, risk management, and incident response.
- Sleep well the night before and arrive early to the test center or log in with ample time if taking the exam remotely.
- Read each question carefully, eliminate wrong answers, and make informed choices—even when unsure.
A calm, confident mindset and a well-organized review plan can make all the difference.
Conclusion:
Preparing for the 2024 CISA exam is more than just a study exercise—it’s a career investment. The updated certification reflects the complexity and depth of today’s IT audit environment, demanding a well-rounded understanding of security, governance, operations, and resilience.
By following a structured study plan, using current resources, and applying knowledge to real-world scenarios, candidates can confidently face the exam and unlock new career opportunities. CISA continues to be a powerful credential for IT professionals who want to lead, influence, and ensure the integrity of enterprise systems.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or building on years of experience, the path to CISA certification is one of growth, recognition, and long-term success.