Faculty throughout the ICT-DM sector recently learned about how ISACA, a professional organization encompassing IT security professionals, auditors, and more, can create networking and professional development opportunities for community college students.
ISACA is a global network of more than 150,000 members in 180 countries. The organization has more than 6,000 active California members and chapters in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Silicon Valley, and San Diego. Members come from all major industries, including media, entertainment, financial services, agriculture, the public sector, and more.
The organization offers six core certifications, including three of the most in-demand among information security professionals — CISM, CRISC, and CISA. Ajay Barot, ISACA’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, said the organization continually looks to its members for information about education trends and changing industry needs.
“We are continuously innovating and establishing new models of learning that address the needs of today’s workforce and their future employers,” Barot said. We make sure that, whatever we’re doing, we’re taking a thought leadership position in the markets and working with universities, foundations, and corporations that share in our vision.”
Last year, ISACA launched its Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Career Development Program, designed for college students who want to pursue careers in cybersecurity but earned or are earning degrees in other fields. The program includes a 14-week cybersecurity fundamentals course and a one-year ISACA student membership.
“We’re committed to the cause of making sure we develop a healthy workforce,” Barot said. “Once they obtain certifications, it leads to employment outcomes.”
Several ISACA members spoke during the webinar about how the organization has benefitted them and how they’ve built on that success by creating scholarships, mentorship, and other opportunities for college students across the state.
“Thanks to ISACA, I attended a certification course for the CISA, and I met my first boss, and that really propelled my career,” said ISACA Silicon Valley chapter member John Lazar. “We reimburse most of the student membership, and we have a mentorship program as well, where students could sign up for whatever career they want to get into in IT, and we match them with a professional in our chapter.”
For more information about ISACA, visit isaca.org/.
To watch the ISACA webinar as part of the ICT Educator Series, visit https://ictdmsector.org/new-opportunities-for-student-success-with-isaca-certifications/.