OVERVIEW
What Is an IT Auditor?
IT auditors are responsible for assessing technological infrastructure and identifying any IT issues, specifically those related to security and risk management. They oversee the entire technological infrastructure of an organization, including networks, software, programs, communication systems, security systems, and any other services that rely on technology. These IT professionals play a vital role in an organization, as one small technical error has the potential to ripple down and impact the entire company. There are many different types of audits that fall under what are most often referred to as computer audits or automated data processing (ADP) audits.
Some common types of audits include:
- Technological innovation process: An audit of the process of innovation within a company with the purpose of reporting its faithfulness to established best practices.
- Innovative comparison: The analysis of the innovative capabilities of an organization compared to that of its competitors.
- Technological position: An audit that examines a company’s current technology and determines what future technologies may need to be deployed.
- Systems and applications: An audit of a computer system to check its security and data integrity.
- Information processing facilities: An audit to test and confirm that a processing facility is poised to ensure timely, accurate, and efficient processing of applications under typical as well as disruptive conditions.
- Systems development: An audit to help an organization ensure that it's able to implement new systems on a secure, controlled basis and that it’s compliant with regulatory standards.
- IT and enterprise architecture: An audit of an organization’s programs and business processes to inform how investment decisions are made.
Other audits include client, customer support, server, telecommunications, intranets, and extranets.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an IT Auditor Do?
An IT auditor is like a doctor for an organization’s programs and technological processes. Much like you would visit a doctor for a general check-up, to diagnose symptoms of illness, or for an operation to fix an injury, IT auditors check to make sure software is working properly, implement preventative measures, test data management programs, and diagnose problems when they arise. Some of their most important day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Identifying weaknesses in the system and creating an action plan to prevent security breaches.
- Planning internal audit procedures.
- Creating internal audit reports.
- Collaborating and creating a solid IT infrastructure.
- Devising and implementing network security policies and procedures.
- Traveling to client sites.
- Conducting training on security features.
- Troubleshooting security network problems.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an IT Auditor?
IT auditing is a high-stakes career. After all, you’ll be responsible for helping protect organizations from system errors that could result in total disaster, so advanced education is required to pursue it. If becoming an IT auditor interests you, keep reading to learn the steps to taking this path.
The greatest role of an IT auditor is to help companies protect themselves against vulnerability to cyberattacks. Cyber criminals are constantly becoming more sophisticated and launching new, more sinister malware, causing billions of dollars in loss globally each year. WGU’s bachelor's degree in cybersecurity and information assurance is designed to help you fight these kinds of attacks. This degree program was built with the help of cyber security experts and leading IT employers to equip you with the exact set of skills that will make you attractive in the job market post-graduation and set you up for success throughout your career, making it an excellent option for your first step towards this career path.
Another solid choice for future IT auditors is WGU’s computer science bachelor’s degree, which lends students a more general, broad scope of the world of digital systems. In this program, you’ll learn how to design, develop, and optimize systems that will meet current and future industry needs. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to earn top industry certifications at no extra cost, helping you boost your résumé before you graduate. Not only will this degree help you lay the foundation for your IT auditor career, but its general curriculum will also give you the ultimate freedom to pursue just about any career in the computer science space.
- Get relevant certificates (CISA, CISSP, CISM, MCSE, etc.).
Depending on your career path, you will need to get some combination of certifications to show employers that you are qualified to work as an IT auditor. Some of these include Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional - – Architecture (CISSP), and Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). You can even begin earning these before you graduate from your bachelor’s program.
- Consider obtaining a master’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance.
If you’re passionate about cybersecurity and want to take your IT auditing career to the next level, consider getting a master’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance. This program will help deepen your knowledge of IT systems and open you up to higher salaries and leadership positions.
- Three or more years of work experience in the IT field and relevant positions.
Once you have graduated and earned certifications, you can begin applying for entry-level jobs, such as support specialist, in the IT field. Once you have a few years of experience under your belt, you can start pursuing more advanced roles in the industries that you prefer. Some IT auditors choose to go back to school to earn their master’s degree after spending a few years working in the field.
Best Degrees for an IT Auditor
Technology
Computer Science – B.S.
Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:...
Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:
Lay the groundwork for the computing breakthroughs that will enable tomorrow's technologies. Utilize your previous college courses or IT experience to help you complete your degree faster.
- Time: 60% of graduates in similar programs finish within 25 months.
- Tuition: $3,985 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program.
You'll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:
- Linux Essentials
- Axelos ITIL Foundation
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Architecture and systems
- Data structures
- AI
- Computer theory
- Version Control
- Linux
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S.
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe....
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe.
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,555 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 9 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Optional Voucher
- ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Optional Voucher
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Cybersecurity Strategy
- Information Assurance
- Incident Response
- Penetration Testing
The curriculum is closely aligned with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework. The program was designed in collaboration with national intelligence organizations and IT industry leaders, ensuring you'll learn emerging technologies and best practices in security governance.
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree....
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree.
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 29 months.
- Tuition: $4,265 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Certifications included in this program at no extra cost include:
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- ITIL® Foundation Certification
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
- CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
- CompTIA Network Security Professional
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Project+
- CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Security Analytics Professional
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Secure Systems Analysis & Design
- Data Management
- Web and Cloud Security
- Hacking Countermeasures and Techniques
- Digital Forensics and Incident Response
How Much Does an IT Auditor Make?
$79,709
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for an IT auditor is $79,709 per year in the United States. The base salary for an IT auditor ranges from $71,600 to $92,000 with an average base salary of $84,200. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, geographical location, and years of experience in the profession.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
33%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of information security analysts is projected to grow by 33% from 2020 to 2030. This will produce an average of 16,300 new job openings each year over the decade.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an IT Auditor Need?
IT auditing is a highly technical job, so professionals who are successful in this field must have a reliable set of hard and soft skills. In addition to a robust education and industry certifications, you’ll need to develop efficacy in:
- IT security and infrastructure.
- Internal audit.
- IT risk.
- Data analysis.
- Data analysis and visualization tools (ACL, MS Excel, SAS, Tableau).
- Security risk management.
- Security testing and auditing.
- Computer security.
- Internal auditing standards including SOX, MAR, COSO, and COBIT.
- Analytical and critical thinking skill
- Communication skills.
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