CISA and CISM are both premier ISACA certifications but serve different governance roles. CISA focuses on IS auditing and assurance, while CISM focuses on information security management and program oversight. They represent the audit and management sides of information security governance.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| ISACA CISA | ISACA CISM | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | ISACA | ISACA |
| Exam Code | CISA | CISM |
| Level | Advanced | Advanced / Expert |
| Cost | $575 (member) / $760 (non-member) | $575 (member) / $760 (non-member) |
| Duration | 240 min | 240 min |
| Questions | 150 | 150 |
| Passing Score | 450/800 | 450/800 |
| Renewal | 3 years | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | Five years of IS audit, control, or security experience; substitutions available for up to three years | Five years of information security management experience; substitutions and waivers available for up to two years |
| Avg Salary Range | $100,000–$145,000 | $120,000–$165,000 |
Focus Areas
ISACA CISA
Information systems auditing, governance, IT management, acquisition, development, implementation, operations, maintenance, and protection of information assets
ISACA CISM
Information security governance, information risk management, information security program development and management, and information security incident management
Who Should Get Which?
Get ISACA CISA if...
IT auditors, compliance officers, internal audit professionals, or anyone whose role involves evaluating and assessing IT controls, governance, and risk management processes
Get ISACA CISM if...
Information security managers, CISOs, security program directors, or anyone who builds and manages security programs, policies, teams, and incident response capabilities
Recommended Order
Choose based on role. Get CISA if you audit and assess security. Get CISM if you build and manage security programs. They are parallel credentials, not sequential. Many GRC professionals hold both.
Study Tips
CISA tests your ability to evaluate and assess controls from an auditor perspective. CISM tests your ability to design and manage security programs from a leadership perspective. Both require thinking at a strategic level. About 25% of content overlaps in areas like risk management and governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ISACA CISA and ISACA CISM?
CISA and CISM are both premier ISACA certifications but serve different governance roles. CISA focuses on IS auditing and assurance, while CISM focuses on information security management and program oversight. They represent the audit and management sides of information security governance.
Should I get ISACA CISA or ISACA CISM first?
Choose based on role. Get CISA if you audit and assess security. Get CISM if you build and manage security programs. They are parallel credentials, not sequential. Many GRC professionals hold both.
Who should get ISACA CISA?
IT auditors, compliance officers, internal audit professionals, or anyone whose role involves evaluating and assessing IT controls, governance, and risk management processes
Who should get ISACA CISM?
Information security managers, CISOs, security program directors, or anyone who builds and manages security programs, policies, teams, and incident response capabilities
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