CISA vs CISSP: Which Cybersecurity Certification Is Better for You?

Are you looking forward to leveling up your career in cybersecurity? Then chances are that you have come across these big giants: CISA vs CISSP. And as a matter of fact, you are now stuck between the classic CISA vs. CISSP comparison. Don’t worry, you are not alone, as both certifications are highly respected, but they tend to focus on different aspects of the cybersecurity world. While one is more inclined towards auditing and compliance, the other has taken a broader, as well as big-picture, approach to security strategy. 

Throughout this blog, we will walk you through the major key differences and benefits, as well as career paths, so you can figure out which one makes the most sense to you. 

CISA vs CISSP: A Tale of Two Methodologies

The core difference between these two certifications lies in their fundamental approach to cybersecurity. However, the CISA certification vs. CISSP is often described as the difference between being a doer as well as a checker. 

However, the major difference between CISSP and CISA is that CISSP is more about building as well as managing the security program, while CISA is about auditing to ensure that it is working properly. 

In fact, CISA focuses more on auditing and methodology. A professional with a CISA certification is a specialist in evaluating whether a company’s IT & business systems are secure, compliant, and well-governed. They are the ones who check for any vulnerabilities, assess risk, and also ensure that all the security controls are in place and working properly. 

As compared to CISSP, it is a management as well as architecture-focused methodology. A CISSP professional is an expert in the design and implementation, as well as the management, of a comprehensive cybersecurity program. 

Their role is to specifically build the castle, while the CISA’s role is to ensure that the castle’s defenses are up to par. 

What is CISA Certification? 

The CISA certification is a credential issued by ISACA (Information Systems Audit & Control Association). It is a globally recognized standard for IT audit, governance & assurance professionals. The CISA cert validates a professional’s expertise in auditing information systems and ensuring that an organization’s IT & business systems are protected & compliant. 

Here are the core domains of the CISA certification:

• Information Systems Auditing Procedure 
• Governance & Management IT 
• Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation 
• Information Systems Operations & Business Resilience 
• Protection of Information Assets 

Heading Of The CTA

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Learn how to audit, control, monitor, and secure information systems to meet the CISA exam objectives.

Learn More

What is CISSP Certification? 

The CISSP course is a premier cybersecurity certification that is offered by ISC². Also, it is often considered the gold standard in the industry for those looking to move into security leadership and management. However, the CISSP demonstrates a professional’s ability to design and implement, engineer, and even maintain a company’s overall security posture. The CISSP covers eight domains, which include:

• Security & Risk Management 
• Asset Security 
• Security Architecture & Engineering
• Communication & Network Security 
• Identity & Access Management 
• Security Assessment & Testing
• Security Operations
• Software Development Security 

CISA vs CISSP: Difference Between Scope & Roles

The major difference between CISA and CISSP is their scope, as well as the roles that they are best suited for. Both certifications are valuable; opting for the right ones is more about aligning the certifications with your career trajectory. 

The decision between CISA and CISSP usually comes down to whether you want to pursue auditing or leadership in cybersecurity.

Let’s compare them:

A Brief Overview of CISA vs CISSP  

Difficulty Level of CISA vs. CISSP: Which Exam is Harder? 

When it finally dawns upon them that CISA vs CISSP difficulty is a thing, many professionals & experts agree that the CISSP is the more challenging exam. The CISSP vs CISA difficulty is a much more common point of discussion & the consensus is that the CISSP’s mile-wide, inch-deep approach across eight broad domains requires a much wider breadth of knowledge. 

However, the CISA exam is still difficult and is more focused on a very specific mindset, that of an auditor. 

The CISSP exam is known for its adaptive questioning, where the difficulty of the questions changes based on your performance. Therefore, this adds a layer of complexity found in the CISA exam’s multiple-choice format. The sheer volume of questions & material to study for the CISSP exam, combined with its unique testing methodology, often requires a longer preparation period. 

CISA & CISSP: Exam Difficulty & Structure

CISA vs CISSP Salary: Which One Pays More? 

The real question that still bothers many is which exam pays a higher salary. While salary might vary greatly based on the experience, location, and specific job, data consistently shows that the CISSP vs. CISA salary often favors CISSP professionals. This is primarily because CISSP is a way more management- & leadership-focused certification than these types of roles, which might command higher salaries. 

The CISSP professionals are often in positions such as chief information security officer, security director, or any security architect, which might have a greater scope of responsibilities as well as higher earning potential. 

CISA professionals, on the other hand, are highly valued and even well-compensated, and their roles are even more important in the audit as well as compliance domains. 

Remember, the salary figures are estimated and can vary widely based on the location, experience, and industry. Always consult with the current data for the most accurate information. 

Conclusion—Which One Is Better: CISA or CISSP?

Well, to conclude, there is no doubt that there is no single better certification. However, the right choice depends on your career path. So, if you are an IT auditor, a compliance officer, or you work in risk management, then the CISA certification would be right for you. It showcases your skills, which are required for the role. 

However, if you want to explore cybersecurity roles, then the CISSP certification would be the best option for you, as it demonstrates a broad understanding of the security industry and showcases that you have the required skills. 

There are plenty of people who might go for both certifications. Getting a CISSP certification first can help you lay a strong foundation for major security roles, and it can make the CISA exam much easier for you. 

Moreover, the combination of both certifications is powerful, and it showcases to employers that you have a mix of both worlds, hence making you the perfect candidate.