6 CISA Jobs and How to Get Started

Key takeaways

Earning a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification can prepare you for various cybersecurity roles. 

• To earn CISA certification, you’ll need to gain cybersecurity experience and then pass a comprehensive exam.

• With this certification, you may be prepared to land a job with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a national cyber defense organization.

• You can find job opportunities in cybersecurity, information technology, emergency communications, infrastructure security, and more.

Learn more about several career options within CISA. If you’re ready to build valuable skills to land a job, consider enrolling in the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and intrusion detection and prevention in as little as six months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a shareable career credential.

What is CISA certification?

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a credential given by ISACA, formerly called the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. This designation is a global standard for cybersecurity professionals, granted after completing a comprehensive exam and sufficient work experience. With this certification, you signify to potential employers that you have the knowledge, technical skills, and expertise to implement the necessary strategies to protect their organization.

If you want to earn this designation, you will need five years of professional experience, and at least 20 continuing professional education (CPE) credits a year, plus 120 CPEs over three years to keep it. The certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to cybersecurity and can help you stand out to employers.

Is CISA a good career?

Working at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a good career choice for anyone who wants to use their cybersecurity skills in a high-level position managing the critical infrastructure of the US federal government. CISA is the national cyber defense agency working in cybersecurity and homeland security. The agency offers a range of entry-level and advanced positions, professional career development opportunities, and federal benefits like health insurance, life insurance, retirement, paid vacation, and parental leave. 

Protecting data systems and networks will be your primary responsibility as a CISA professional, but your exact duties can vary depending on your specific position. According to IBM, data breaches cost companies an average of $4.4 million in 2025, making this career choice one in which you can positively impact people’s lives and the economy [1].

What jobs can you get with a CISA certification? 6 CISA jobs to consider

When considering which CISA job is best for you, consider the requirements you already fulfill along with your specific interests to determine the area in which you would like to specialize. A specialization can help you acquire an entry-level role. 

You do not need a CISA certification to apply for a position at CISA, but you may be encouraged to earn different cybersecurity-related certifications while you work there. If hired, CISA will provide you with money for your training to earn certifications. You do not need a lot of prior experience, as hiring is dependent on your level of education and experience. Since CISA is a federal agency, you must be a US citizen and registered or exempt from the Selective Service if you are male. 

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of June 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Cybersecurity/IT 

IT cybersecurity specialist median total salary at CISA (Glassdoor): $151,000 [2]

If you are working in the cybersecurity/IT sector of CISA, you may be responsible for developing methods to mitigate cyberattacks and security risks. You will likely work to ensure America's cyber systems' security, reliability, and strength. Additionally, you will work with companies in the private sector to bolster the security of vital networks. As a cybersecurity/IT professional, you may also respond to user reports while optimizing and administering computer systems.

2. Emergency communications

Program analyst median total salary at CISA (Glassdoor): $118,000 [3]

Suppose you apply to work in emergency communications. In that case, you will work on projects such as the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) in a related role, such as a program analyst, telecommunications specialist, electrical engineer, or project manager. Your responsibilities will typically include ensuring first responders can communicate in emergencies and planning out emergency policies and protocols. As a member of the emergency communications sector in CISA, you will help facilitate and share emergency safety practices and manage funding and grant programs. 

3. Infrastructure security

Chemical security inspector median total salary at CISA (Glassdoor): $71,000 [4]

Infrastructure security personnel are responsible for ensuring the safety of the surrounding physical and cyber infrastructure to help enable CISA’s mission planning. You might work as an infrastructure security professional, a chemical security inspector, a facility operations specialist, or an improvised explosive device (IED) program analyst. These positions will require you to be responsible for bomb prevention, chemical inspections, active shooter preparedness, and generally securing the area of CISA to guard against attacks. 

4. National risk management

Incident response analyst median total salary at CISA (Glassdoor): $106,000 [5]

If you work in the national risk management sector, you may be responsible for collecting and analyzing information to support supply chain security and cybersecurity. You will collaborate with public and private initiatives to manage national priority areas at risk and better understand national threats. As a national risk management professional, you will analyze the national infrastructure to identify critical risks and take action through safety plans to prevent these risks.

5. Stakeholder engagement

Manager median total salary at CISA (Glassdoor): $134,000 [6]

As a stakeholder engagement professional at CISA, you will typically sustain national and international partnerships between the government and private sector with CISA. You will gather stakeholder information to assess risk and connect stakeholders to cybersecurity resources. If you work in stakeholder engagement, you will likely be a council or partnership manager to foster stakeholder collaboration.

6. Integrated Operations Division

Chief of workforce engagement median total salary at CISA (Glassdoor): $134,000 [7]

The Integrated Operations Division (IOD) organizes, plans, and coordinates CISA operations, including CISA Central, which is the easiest method for partners and stakeholders to acquire the necessary information about the current risks to critical infrastructure. It also handles CISA Intel, which is the intelligence-gathering division, and CISA Regions, which provides support on both the local and state levels. Suppose you have a position within the CISA Regions. In that case, you may be working as a protective security advisor, an expert in protecting critical infrastructure while also identifying and removing vulnerabilities. Additionally, you would coordinate with other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offices and federal agencies to initiate activities on the local level. 

How to land your first CISA position

To land your first CISA position, stay current on CISA job openings and career fairs. Once you have subscribed to get notifications from CISA or attended a career fair, you can start thinking about building your experience and earning certifications to help you pursue a position at CISA. 

Build background knowledge.

Building your background knowledge about cybersecurity through online courses, blogs, and boot camps is a great way to start working toward your career in CISA. You might start by learning cybersecurity fundamentals and gaining technical security and network management skills. You can also research CISA itself to understand its mission and what you can expect from working there. Building background knowledge on CISA and cybersecurity will make you stand out as a knowledgeable candidate. Additionally, if you’re interested in a cybersecurity position, you might consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science or cybersecurity to develop a strong foundation.

Read more: Your Cybersecurity Career Guide: Pay, Jobs + More

Earn a certification.

While you can apply for positions within CISA without a certification, you may want to consider earning a relevant certification to demonstrate your skill level in cybersecurity. Earning a certification can prove your dedication to the field and impress employers at CISA. A certification can also expand your knowledge of the cybersecurity field and sharpen your skills, making you a more competitive candidate for CISA. A few of the certifications that CISA suggests you consider earning include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Gain relevant experience.

Gaining relevant experience can help you become more qualified and prepared to take on a position at CISA. Working in other areas of cybersecurity, such as data networks or operating systems, can help you expand your skill set and prepare for various roles at this agency. CISA offers entry-level positions based on your experience level or education, so having prior experience when applying can help you become eligible for more careers within the agency. 

Meet additional requirements.

To meet additional requirements, thoroughly review the CISA website and hiring questions. Research the education or experience requirements for different positions and the skills required. Being familiar with CISA’s recommended abilities, knowledge, and skill sets can help you prepare for the hiring process and determine what employers at CISA may be looking for.

Get started in cybersecurity with these resources

Stay up-to-date on emerging career trends by subscribing to Career Chat on LinkedIn. Then, learn more by exploring these free cybersecurity resources:

• Learn your terms: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions 

• Check out an insider story: Meet the IT Support Tech Advancing Toward a Cybersecurity Career 

• Read our Career Chat issue: Cybersecurity Career Spotlight: What It Is and How to Get Started

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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