CISA Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CISA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CISA Exam Format at a Glance

150

Questions

240 min

Time Limit

75%

Passing Score

Take a Full CISA Exam Simulation →

📚 CISA Topics to Study (24)

IT Audit Standards and Frameworks · 7 cards IT Audit Standards and Frameworks · 7 cards IT Audit Standards and Frameworks · 7 cards Certified Information Systems Auditor MCQ · 7 cards Certified Information Systems Auditor · 7 cards Trivia · 7 cards Business Continuity Planning · 6 cards Change Management Controls · 6 cards Disaster Recovery Testing · 6 cards IS Audit Planning · 6 cards IT Governance and Strategy · 6 cards IT Risk Management · 6 cards Logical Access Controls · 6 cards Protection of Information Assets · 6 cards System Development and Implementation · 6 cards Data Management and Database Controls · 6 cards Data Management and Database Controls · 6 cards Data Management and Database Controls · 6 cards Data Management and Privacy Controls · 6 cards Data Management and Privacy Controls · 6 cards Data Management and Privacy Controls · 6 cards Network and Infrastructure Security · 6 cards Network and Infrastructure Security · 6 cards Network and Infrastructure Security · 6 cards

✍️ Sample CISA Questions & Answers

1. Which of the following BEST describes data sovereignty?

✓ The legal principle that data is subject to the laws of the country in which it is stored

Data sovereignty means that data stored in a particular country is governed by that country's laws and regulations.

2. Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a Key Risk Indicator (KRI) in IT risk management?

✓ To serve as an early warning signal that a risk is emerging or exceeding its threshold.

Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) are metrics used to provide an early warning of increasing risk exposures in various areas of the enterprise. They are forward-looking and designed to alert management before a risk materializes into a loss event, allowing for proactive risk mitigation.

3. What could happen if an IS auditor breaks the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics when they are members of ISACA and CISA certified?

✓ Loss of ISACA certifications

The ISACA Code of Professional Ethics outlines the mandatory standards of professional conduct for all ISACA members and certification holders. A violation of this code can lead to disciplinary actions, with the most severe consequence for certified individuals being the suspension or revocation of their ISACA certifications, such as CISA. This ensures the integrity and credibility of the ISACA professional community.

4. An IS auditor finds that network infrastructure devices have not received security patches in 18 months. The BEST recommendation is to:

✓ Implement a formal patch management process with defined SLAs for critical devices

A formal patch management process with defined timelines ensures vulnerabilities are addressed systematically without unnecessary disruption.

5. Which US regulation primarily governs the privacy and security of health information held by covered entities and their business associates?

✓ HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules set standards for protecting individually identifiable health information (PHI) in the US.

6. A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is BEST described as:

✓ A network zone between the internet and the internal network that hosts public-facing services

A DMZ provides a buffer zone that exposes public services (e.g., web servers) while shielding the internal network.

🎯 Free CISA Practice Tests

Certified Information Systems Auditor · 7 questions IT Audit Standards and Frameworks · 7 questions Certified Information Systems Auditor MCQ · 7 questions IT Audit Standards and Frameworks · 7 questions Trivia · 7 questions IT Audit Standards and Frameworks · 7 questions Business Continuity Planning · 6 questions Change Management Controls · 6 questions Network and Infrastructure Security · 6 questions Data Management and Privacy Controls · 6 questions

📖 CISA Guides & Articles

Your CISA Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 Flashcards (150)🏆 Exam Simulation