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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.
GIAC · professional
GSNAGIAC Systems and Network Auditor
GIAC Systems and Network Auditor
Official pageISACA · professional
CISACertified Information Systems Auditor
IS audit, governance, control testing, and assurance.
Official pageComparing
GIACGSNA
ISACACISA
› Cost
Exam fee
GSNA$979
CISA$760
Exam fee
$979
$760
Annual maintenance fee
GSNA—
CISA$45/yr
Annual maintenance fee
—
$45/yr
3-year cost of ownership
GSNA$979
CISA$895
3-year cost of ownership
$979
$895
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
GSNA67% (scaled per attempt)
CISA450/800 (scaled)
Pass mark
67% (scaled per attempt)
450/800 (scaled)
Retake policy
GSNA$999 fee · 30d wait
CISA$575 fee · 30d wait · 4/yr cap
Retake policy
$999 fee · 30d wait
$575 fee · 30d wait · 4/yr cap
Study time
GSNA100–200 hrs
CISA120–250 hrs
Study time
100–200 hrs
120–250 hrs
Validity
GSNA4 yrs
CISA3 yrs
Validity
4 yrs
3 yrs
CPE / yr
GSNA9 CPEs
CISA40 CPEs
CPE / yr
9 CPEs
40 CPEs
Delivery
GSNAmixed
CISAtest center
Delivery
mixed
test center
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
GSNA$105K – $155K
CISA$100K – $150K
Range
$105K – $155K
$100K – $150K
Median
GSNA$125,000
CISA$122,000
Median
$125,000
$122,000
Premium %
GSNA—
CISA+9%
Premium %
—
+9%
Role context
GSNASystems & network auditor, US, 4-6 years.
CISAIT Auditor / SOX auditor / IS audit manager, US, 5+ years.
Role context
Systems & network auditor, US, 4-6 years.
IT Auditor / SOX auditor / IS audit manager, US, 5+ years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
GSNA7.5
CISA9.0
Schema quality
7.5
9.0
Practice evidence
GSNA4.5
CISA2.0
Practice evidence
4.5
2.0
Maintenance
GSNA6.0
CISA8.5
Maintenance
6.0
8.5
Market recognition
GSNA5.5
CISA9.0
Market recognition
5.5
9.0
Average
GSNA5.9
CISA7.1
Average
5.9
7.1
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
GSNAGlobal
CISAGlobal · US · EU · UK · DACH
Recognition
Global
Global · US · EU · UK · DACH
ISO 17024 accredited
GSNA—
CISA✓
ISO 17024 accredited
—
✓
DoD 8140 baseline
GSNA—
CISA✓
DoD 8140 baseline
—
✓
Holders worldwide
GSNA—
CISA165,000
Holders worldwide
—
165,000
Current version
GSNA2024 AUD507 refresh (2024-04)
CISA2024 job-practice analysis (2024-06)
Current version
2024 AUD507 refresh (2024-04)
2024 job-practice analysis (2024-06)
› Domain coverage
A1Governance, Risk & Compliance
GSNA● core
CISA● core
A1Governance, Risk & Compliance
● core
● core
A10Security Operations
GSNA● core
CISA·
A10Security Operations
● core
·
A12Data Security, Privacy & Protection
GSNA·
CISA○ touched
A12Data Security, Privacy & Protection
·
○ touched
A13Supply Chain Security
GSNA·
CISA○ touched
A13Supply Chain Security
·
○ touched
A18Security Leadership
GSNA·
CISA○ touched
A18Security Leadership
·
○ touched
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