Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) Fact Sheet 

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The CGEIT is designed for professionals who manage, provide advisory and/or assurance services, and/or who otherwise support the governance of an enterprise’s IT and wish to be recognized for their IT governance-related experience and knowledge.

Background

Introduced in 2007, the CGEIT designation is the third certification offered by ISACA. Designed for professionals who manage, provide advisory and/or assurance services, and/or otherwise support the governance of an enterprise’s IT and wish to be recognized for their IT governance-related experience and knowledge, CGEIT is based on ISACA’s and the IT Governance Institute’s (ITGI’s) intellectual property and the input of subject matter experts around the world. More than 4,800 professionals have earned the CGEIT credential to date.

CGEIT focuses on:

  • IT governance frameworks
  • Strategic alignment
  • Value delivery
  • Risk management
  • Resource management
  • Performance measurement

To earn the CGEIT designation, candidates are required to:

  • Prove at least five years of experience supporting the governance of an enterprise’s information technology. This experience can be achieved entirely through IT governance experience, or through a combination of IT governance experience and management experience.
  • Pass the CGEIT exam (offered worldwide every June and December)
  • Adhere to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics
  • Agree to comply with the CGEIT Continuing Education Policy

The first CGEIT exam was administered in December 2008. CGEIT retention is more than 90 percent.

CGEIT in the Workplace

  • Nearly 400 are employed in organizations as the CEO, CFO or equivalent executive position.
  • Almost 200 serve as chief audit executives, audit partners or audit heads.
  • More than 500 serve as CIOs, CISOs, or chief compliance, risk or privacy officers.
  • Almost 600 are employed as security directors, managers or consultants and related staff.
  • Nearly 1,000 are employed as IT directors, managers, consultants and related staff.
  • More than 900 serve as audit directors, managers or consultants and related staff.
  • More than 500 are employed in managerial, consulting or related positions in IT operations or compliance.

Recognitions

  • SC Magazine selected CGIET as a finalist of the 2011 “Best Professional Certification Program” in the Professional Awards category. CGEIT was named a finalist by a panel of 22 chief information security officers (CISOs) at major corporations and large public-sector organizations.
  • The DRII Institute for Continuity Management recognizes DRII certification applicants who hold a CGEIT certification in good standing. CGEITs qualify for the Certified Business Continuity Auditor (CBCA) and get a bypass for references (experience).

In the News

  • “For those who plan to work in IT over the long haul, particularly for those inclined to climb either a technical or a management job ladder in IT, the CGEIT…is an excellent ‘soft skills’ credential that can augment and extend a person’s knowledge and skills outside inherently technical, or platform or technology-specific domains. Source: Another “soft skills” cert hits the radar: ISACA CGEIT,” IT Knowledge Exchange, August 2011
  • CGEIT is listed among certifications that “improve technology careers” Source: Internet@Suite101 October 2011
  • "CGEIT certification enables holders demonstrate ability to understand and relate with executive management and board in corporate vision and strategy." Source: “IT Governance Certification Helps Boost Profit, Efficiency,” The Guardian, October 2011
  • “As IT governance becomes more critical to a business's success, it is vital that those business leaders in charge are the most highly qualified possible. This certification shows that the person holding it has taken the time and effort to qualify their skills and knowledge, keep their skills current, handles his or herself in an ethical manner.” Source: “How to Become Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT),” eHow, 20 June 2009
  • “To help organizations fill the skills and knowledge gap between IT governance frameworks and the ultimate delivery of strategies and objectives, the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) last year introduced the Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) certification.” Source: “Certification Closes the Governance Gap,” IT Career Planet, 5 January 2009
  • “Richard Kirk, VP of Fortify Software, said, ‘This certification, which is expected to be recognised and adapted as a best practice, could help business executives, or your boss, understand the growing need for tighter IT security and governance from the top down.’” Source: “Teaching employers about certification may be way forward,” SC Magazine, 10 November 2008
  • “To support the growing business demands related to IT governance, promote good IT governance practices and recognize skilled IT governance professionals, ISACA has developed a new certification: Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).” Source: “ISACA’s New CGEIT Credential Meets Business Demands for IT Govern,” CertMag, February 2008
  • “[The CGEIT certification] sets the path towards building the competency in IT governance,’ says [Bob] Frelinger, adding that professionals in finance and other fields may also seek CGEIT certification. ‘We're hoping it's not just for IT folks. Certainly there is a big business contribution to IT in an organization.’” Source: “New Certification Seeks Governance Excellence,” ITWorldCanada.com, 24 August 2007

Contact:

Kristen Kessinger, +1.847.660.5512
Joanne Duffer, +1.847.660.5564
news@isaca.org