The Battle Between CISA and CISSP - Which Is Best?

When people decide to start their journey in the cloud industry, their first confusion is which certification course they should take. The two primary certifications in this field are CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). Though both offer a great start to the cloud professional's journey, they belong to different spectrums. That is why there is often a debate about CISA vs CISSP. Which certification would be best for a candidate depends totally on the requirements, career aspirations, and other vital aspects.

If you are also planning to take up the CISA exam preparation but have confusion if CISSP would be apt, this article will prove helpful. But, first, let us discuss both the certifications in detail and see which one is the best.

What is the CISSP?

CISSP stands for certified information systems security professional certification that has global recognition. It focuses more on training the professionals towards working on security systems and includes the engineering of the software environments as per the requirements of an organization. The hiring organizations often look for people with this certification as these professionals are knowledgeable and have hands-on experience in cloud environments. People who have this certification in the curriculum vitae get job titles like security analyst, cloud architect, IT manager, Network architect, etc.

What is the CISA?

CISA stands for certified information systems auditor. This certification course is more towards the infrastructural needs of an organization and teaches to understand and manage the cyber environment of the company. As evident from the name, the CISA certified professionals conduct audits to check the performance of a network and see if it needs work. Furthermore, this course is similar to cyber security certification online that teaches the aspirants to defend the infrastructure from security threats and collaborate to build a safe and resilient online work environment.

It was all about both the certifications. Now, let us move on to eradicate the CISA v/s CISSP difficulty and help you decide which one is apt for you. The table below will give you more clarity about the difference between CISA and CISSP certification.

CISA vs CISSP

	CISA	CISSP
Technicality	It is less into the technical details and is apt for freshers who have just begun their professional journey in the cloud industry. They can start with this fundamental course and understand the field well before taking the complicated certification courses.	It is a bit more into technicality and is challenging to complete. To get through with this certification, the professionals need to have a sound technical background. Hence, it is best for professionals already working in the cloud network industry.
Targeted Audience	CISA caters to a different set of audiences. Most auditors, information security officers, network administrators, and security officers opt for this certification course. It trains them to maintain the security of a network and create security programs to ensure a safer environment.	CISSP is the top choice of many professionals, including security analysts, security managers, security system engineers, network architects, and others who work directly with the security of the cloud network.
Pre-Requisites	For CISA, the candidate should have a minimum of five years of work experience in auditing the security networks. There is a provision for waivers if:   The candidate has a master’s degree in IT or information security from an acclaimed university.   2 years of full-time work experience in the network security field.	A professional opting for the CISSP certification should have five years of work experience in two or more domains of the CISSP common body of language.   If the candidate has four years of a regular college degree, he can get compensation of one year, and four years of experience would be enough.
Salaries	Speaking about CISA vs CISSP salary, both professionals get a high amount. CISA certification can get you up to   $98,000 per annum. This figure can vary depending on the work experience or expertise of a professional.	CISSP professionals get a little higher salary. You can expect to receive $1,00,000 per annum. It can be added perks that the CISSP experts can get, depending on the organization that hires you.
Domains	The domains covered under CISA are as follows:   Auditing Information Systems   Governance and Management of IT   Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation   Information Systems Operations, Maintenance, and Service Management   Protection of Information Assets	The domains that CISSP covers are as follows:   Security and Risk Management   Asset security   Security Architecture and Engineering   Communication and Network Security   Identity and Access Management   Security Assessment and Testing   Security Operations   Software Development and Security
Who Can Pursue?	Professionals, who can pursue the CISA certifications, include security consultants, security managers, security analysts, security architects, chief of information, and other professionals associated with the security operations.	Professionals, who can go for the CISSP certifications, include IT consultants, IT auditors, Security Engineers, Chief Compliance Officers, and Network architects, and the list is never-ending.
Eligibility Criteria	Aspirants trying to get the CISA certification should have five years of full-time experience in information system auditing. They should also have a thorough understanding of the networks.	Any aspirant trying to enroll in the CISA certification course should have five years of experience in the information security industry plus two years of experience in any two of the total 8 domains under CISSP.
Validity	CISA certification stands valid for three years, and after that, the professional would have to brush up on the course again by taking up another exam and getting certified again.	Though the knowledge you gain in this course stays with you forever, the certification is only valid for three years. It is because cloud operations and technology keep changing. So after three years, the professional needs to upgrade the information.
Financial Incentives	The financial incentive you get is a spike in your salary and job security.	Incentives you get after getting CISSP certified is also the increased salary and secured professional life for years.

Similarities and Differences

This table with CISA and CISSP comparison clearly defines the similarities and differences between the two certifications. The fundamental difference is in what these two certifications aim to do and their pre-requisites. However, the similarities are in the scope of these certifications and the perks they offer.

If you want to work more on the security factor, you should go for the auditing training through CISA. However, those who want to work in the core technical zone should go for the CISSP certification. It is vital to dig deeper, gather all the information about these two, and then decide which one you want to pursue.

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Conclusion

We have discussed every aspect of CISA certification v/s CISSP. It is fair to say that both these certifications work equally well for those trying to build a fruitful career in the cloud industry. To answer which is better: CISA or CISSP, one should consider the individual's career goals, requirements, and background. Doing any of these can secure your future and get you an attractive salary package. If you like to learn with peers and expert mentors go for the KnowledgeHut CISA exam preparation course.