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Compare certifications

Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.

ISACA · professional
CISA
Certified Information Systems Auditor

IS audit, governance, control testing, and assurance.

Official page
PECB · professional
PECB 27001LA
PECB ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor

The PECB ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor is aimed at professionals who want to independently lead or conduct ISMS audits according to ISO 27001. The certificate is well established in Europe and is recognized by many organizations as proof of audit competence. The exam is demanding and combines standards knowledge with practical auditor expertise. Compared to ISO auditor certifications from other providers, PECB positions itself in the mid-price segment with broad international distribution. For beginners without audit experience, the Foundation level is recommended first.

Official page

Cost

Exam fee
CISA$760
PECB 27001LA$1,100
Annual maintenance fee
CISA$45/yr
PECB 27001LA
3-year cost of ownership
CISA$895
PECB 27001LA$1,100

Exam mechanics

Pass mark
CISA450/800 (scaled)
PECB 27001LA70%
Retake policy
CISA$575 fee · 30d wait · 4/yr cap
PECB 27001LA$0 fee · 0d wait
Study time
CISA120–250 hrs
PECB 27001LA80–160 hrs
Validity
CISA3 yrs
PECB 27001LA3 yrs
CPE / yr
CISA40 CPEs
PECB 27001LA
Delivery
CISAtest center
PECB 27001LAmixed

Salary signal (US base)

Range
CISA$100K – $150K
PECB 27001LA$90K – $140K
Median
CISA$122,000
PECB 27001LA$115,000
Premium %
CISA+9%
PECB 27001LA
Role context
CISAIT Auditor / SOX auditor / IS audit manager, US, 5+ years.
PECB 27001LAISO 27001 lead auditor / GRC consultant, US, 3–7 years.

Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)

Schema quality
CISA9.0
PECB 27001LA8.5
Practice evidence
CISA2.0
PECB 27001LA4.5
Maintenance
CISA8.5
PECB 27001LA9.0
Market recognition
CISA9.0
PECB 27001LA8.5
Average
CISA7.1
PECB 27001LA7.6

Recognition & lifecycle

Recognition
CISAGlobal · US · EU · UK · DACH
PECB 27001LAGlobal
ISO 17024 accredited
CISA
PECB 27001LA
DoD 8140 baseline
CISA
PECB 27001LA
Holders worldwide
CISA165,000
PECB 27001LA
Current version
CISA2024 job-practice analysis (2024-06)
PECB 27001LAAligned to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (2023-01)

Domain coverage

A1Governance, Risk & Compliance
CISA● core
PECB 27001LA● core
A12Data Security, Privacy & Protection
CISA○ touched
PECB 27001LA·
A13Supply Chain Security
CISA○ touched
PECB 27001LA·
A18Security Leadership
CISA○ touched
PECB 27001LA·

Browse the full catalog or open any one of these on its detail page for full study materials, peer comparisons, and lifecycle notes.