CRISC exam on the rise as IT pros respond to new landscape

That's the view of the global not for profit IT association ISACA, which explains that the qualification's value is in that it links IT risk management to enterprise risk management. More than 16,000 IT professionals have earned the CRISC designation since the certification was introduced just over 18 months ago. Allan Boardman, chair of ISACA's credentialing board and a risk officer at a global financial services firm, believes this reflects a growing need to attain independent affirmation of skill sets. "CRISC is a highly desired certification because it is the only certification that positions IT professionals for future career growth by linking IT risk management to enterprise risk management," comments Boardman. IT workers across a wide range of job functions, including IT security, audit and compliance, have earned the CRISC designation since April 2010. This number includes more than 1,200 CIOs, CISOs and chief compliance, risk and privacy officers. "CRISC is the result of significant market demand for a credential that recognises experienced risk and control professionals, a demand that will only accelerate as vocal stakeholders demand better corporate governance and business performance and more secure infrastructures in 2012," asserts Boardman. "The fact that even C-level professionals are pursuing CRISC certification shows that risk management is a strategic concern."