MUSCAT -- The Muscat Chapter of ISACA held its annual meeting recently and conducted a detailed presentation for those interested in taking up the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Securities Manager (CISM) examinations.
ISACA's Muscat Chapter is sponsored by the College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS), a government organization established by Royal Decree, which helps the financial services industry with its various training needs. The meeting attracted a large turnout of professionals from the Auditing, IT, Finance, Government and allied sectors. Subramaniam, CISA Co-ordinator, made a detailed presentation on the course contents, benefits of obtaining these certifications for the employers and employees, the process of registering for these courses and the study aids available.
Kishor Rabi, Secretary of ISACA's Muscat Chapter, outlined the tremendous growth and awareness among the local professional community. Membership increased from a modest 29 in the year 2000 to over 210 at the end of 2005, reflecting ISACA's role as a professional body that shares knowledge and links all jurisdictions to the international norms required to be followed in IT governance and information security.
During the year the Chapter conducted four major educational programmes covering subjects such as IT Security Framework, Internet Security, Layered Security, COBIT-An effective IT Governance tool and Activity Based Cost Management and an introduction to Balanced Score Card. The Chapter also held four CPE seminars for its members covered various aspects of IT AUDIT, Network Security, Overview of Virus Attack and Encryption.
A significant focus of the Chapter is conducting review classes for candidates preparing and appearing for the CISA & CISM examinations. Effective 2005 ISACA conducts the examination twice a year, one in June and the second in December. It is a matter of pride that the Sultanate of Oman is chosen as a centre for conducting these examinations.
A new Board was installed for the year 2006. The Board was expanded to 22 members from 18 members last year. The new president, Antony Isaac, took over from Mohamed Nayaz, while Hamza Moosa Baqar al Lawati assumed the post of vice-president from Nabil Abdullah al Raisi. The incoming president said that ISACA, Muscat Chapter with the support of the College of Banking and Financial Studies would strive to promote the cause of IT security awareness by conducting quality educational programmes, seminars and courses.
"Our focus this year would be to encourage more Omani professionals to take advantage of the benefits of the Chapter and prepare them for the CISA and CISM certifications," he said. Review classes for the CISA examination to be held in June 2006 will be held every Thursday at the College of Banking and Financial Studies for the next three months. Similarly CISM review classes will commence shortly.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
