ANSWERING THE MEMBERSHIP VALUE QUESTION

What's in it for me?
Since professional associations were first conceived, one of their biggest and most constant challenges has been answering the question, "Why should I belong? What's in it for me?" ISACA is no exception. And, in the tradition of professional associations around the world, ISACA answers that question with a question of its own: "That depends. What do you want?"

Do you want to become better at your job as a result of access to leading-edge research?
ISACA provides that research, both as an Association and through its affiliated research arm, the Information Systems Audit and Control Foundation. The Association has just initiated research to benchmark IS audit department and IS auditor characteristics, which can be used to measure one's own enterprise. Further, ISACA is pursuing publication exchanges with other organizations to increase members' access to the research of others. The Foundation's most recent research production is the second edition of Control Objectives for Information and related Technologies (COBIT), a project which brought together 18 existing international standards into one set of generally applicable and accepted good practices for governing information technology. Next up for the Foundation: a series of COBIT enhancements, designed to make it an even more valuable tool; a Client/Server research publication; and research projects on digital signatures and electronic commerce. ISACA members not only help create Association and Foundation generated research, they also receive it first, at free or greatly discounted fees.

Do you want to support your profession by contributing to the body of work guiding it?
ISACA, through its Standards Board, defines, develops and promulgates IS audit standards and their associated interpretations and guidelines. These standards establish a quality baseline by which other IT audit and control activities are measured. Also, through affiliation with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), ISACA has been instrumental in rating the only two international information technology guidelines issued to date by IFAC.

Do you want to increase your value to your employer by expanding your warehouse of skills?
ISACA offers a variety of ways members can add to their IT governance and control education. Each year Computer Audit, Control and Security (CACS) conferences and the Electronic Data Processing Audit and Control (EDPAC) conference are held around the world, offering members discounted access to a variety of hot-topic workshops conducted by internationally known instructors. An International IT Management Conference rounds out the educational menu each year. ISACA chapters also offer education on a monthly basis, either generated locally or using some of the seminars prepared and packaged by ISACA headquarters. Finally, the bi-monthly IS Control Journal, provided free to all members, features articles on topics of immediate interest to the IS audit and control community.

Do you want to improve your financial position by paying less for publications of value to you?
Discounted registration fees to ISACA's many conferences have already been mentioned. But in addition, the ISACA Bookstore offers members discounts on its products from basic to advanced volumes on a range of IT governance topics in a variety of languages. And, as mentioned previously, negotiations are underway to dramatically increase the number of international publications available in the Bookstore.

Do you want to augment your resource base by expanding your network of business contacts?
Membership in one of over 160 ISACA chapters with members in more than 100 countries immediately puts you in contact with a local circle of individuals with similar job responsibilities, questions, concerns and advice. Expanding the circle outward, attendance at ISACA conferences brings members face to face with a global community of like minds. And, finally, extending into cyberspace, members can access chapter web sites, Internet newsletters, and several listservs composed of ISACA members trading questions and counsel on topics of professional interest.

Do you want to underscore your understanding of the IS audit profession by earning a professional credential?
ISACA offers the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation, which recognizes educational achievement in five domains of IS audit competence, including standards and practices; organization and management; processes; integrity, confidentiality and availability; and software development, acquisition and maintenance. ISACA members receive a substantial discount on the exam fee and preparation materials, which are available in several languages. In addition, members may tap into the resources available at the chapter level for help and mentoring in preparing for the exam.

Do you want to position yourself for participation in a global marketplace?
ISACA's international membership, with chapters in over 50 countries, is a perfect place to learn more about cultures, priorities, practices and preferences different from your own. Maybe you don't work in a global business today. But what about tomorrow? Jobs change and employers change. Don't be left behind as the world shrinks. The wise employee is prepared for possibilities before they become actualities. Membership in ISACA, which has identified for itself a vision of being "the recognized global leader in IT governance, control and assurance" is a good place to start.

Do you want to help support the continuation of your profession in the years to come?
ISACA's affiliated Foundation is preparing model curricula for information systems auditing at the undergraduate and gradual levels. Members' support of the Association and the Foundation helps ensure that this type of research takes place, so that the next generation of IS audit and control specialists take their place in the workforce fully trained.

Do you want to prepare yourself for management responsibility?
ISACA offers members the opportunity to practice leadership skills through its chapters and its International Boards, committees and task forces. Also available to chapter leaders is the ISACA-sponsored Leadership Conference, offered in conjunction with each CACS and EDPAC conference, at which chapter best practices -- which feature many of the same leadership and management skills required on the job -- are thoroughly reviewed and described.

Information. Standards. Certification. Education. Research. Global Presence. ISACA provides it all. Or, as long-time member James R. Shannahan, CISA, CCP, CQA, puts it, "Twenty years ago I joined ISACA...to learn about systems auditing in preparation for a career change. Thanks to the members of what became the Silicon Valley Chapter and association publications, I was able to gain enough knowledge to overcome the barrier of obtaining a position without having direct experience. Today ISACA continues to provide knowledge to assist me in my work."

Why should you belong?
Because professional success requires professional resources. As the leading source of IT governance, assurance and control practices and expertise worldwide, ISACA is the professional resource for success in the IT governance field.

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