Atlanta executive Takilla Richards delivers solutions in the financial business information sphere as a consultant with one of the country’s leading health insurance companies. Certified as an information systems auditor, Takilla Richards is also qualified as a technology business management administrator. Ms. Richards’ professional experience includes 7 years in Columbia, South Carolina, as an audit consultant with a major regional health care provider. Engaging closely with global auditing firms, she undertook special projects focused on IT controls and change management testing. Through year-end financial audits, she generated recommendations that helped address high-risk areas and ensure comprehensive policy compliance. Ms. Richards has a passion for travel. Over the year, she has visited locales such as Bangalore, India, the Maldives, and Amsterdam. She has also spent time exploring areas of the Yucatan Peninsula, such as Cancun, Cozumel, and Playa Del Carmen. She enjoys volunteering at local food banks in her free time.
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A Brief Overview of Business Intelligence

Business intelligence refers to a series of technical processes that analyze business data to produce information that can guide and inform managers and executives in making quality and fact-based decisions. For organizations to make sense of their business data, they must have an infrastructure that collects, stores, and analyzes it. Then, organizations have the means to parse and transform the information to make informed business decisions.
Organizations can use different business intelligence tools depending on their needs. These tools can range from spreadsheets to data visualization software, data mining tools, online analytical processing (OLAP), and reporting and query software.
Companies benefit from business intelligence because it keeps the organization informed and updated. For instance, it can help decision-makers determine a specific market's why, when, where, how, and what. It also helps businesses assess the relevance of their products or services within the market. Through business intelligence, organizations can determine their major competitors and the market acceptance rates of their products and services.
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The ISACA SheLeadsTech Program

The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) is an international association of information systems (IS) information technology (IT) professionals that has been spearheading educational and career development initiatives in these fields for more than 50 years. Beyond its globally recognized IS and IT certifications, it sponsors industry programs such as SheLeadsTech.
Through SheLeadsTech, ISACA recognizes the important roles that women have to play in the tech world and strives to support the female tech leaders of today and tomorrow. To fight gender inequality in the traditionally male-dominated worlds of IS and IT, SheLeadsTech promotes diversity awareness, provides training and mentorship programs, and promotes alliances through its worldwide network of participants and partners. The program is part of each of ISACA's 225 chapters, which span the globe. Examples of the many SheLeadsTech programs in 2024 alone include "Empower Your Voice: Whose Slide Is It Anyway?" in O'Connor, Australia, and "Empower & Thrive: SheLeadsTech Wellness Evening" in Makati City, Philippines.
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A Primer on the CISA Designation

In the rapidly evolving landscape of information systems, ensuring security and efficient auditing practices is paramount for organizations worldwide. The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation is the global gold standard for professionals overseeing information systems, particularly in auditing, control, and security realms. It is issued by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), a global organization that focuses on developing, adopting, and using globally accepted practices for information systems.
Those earning the CISA designation are qualified to assess the technology systems in their companies, review risk areas, and complete information systems audits. Following an audit, a CISA presents the findings and frequently suggests necessary actions or steps to the company’s management.
ISACA notes that the CISA certification is uniquely tailored for IT auditors. It is also relevant for compliance analysts, program managers, risk analysts, data protection managers, security officers, and IT consultants. The designation typically takes five years to complete.
The path to obtaining a CISA involves several steps, including attaining a score of 450 or higher on the CISA exam and a comprehensive 150-question, four-hour test. This exam assesses knowledge of five key job practice areas, including auditing information systems, managing IT systems, acquiring information systems, protecting information assets, and supporting operations and business resilience.
ISACA provides a range of CISA exam preparation options, including a four-day in-person course organized at multiple locations throughout the US and online self-paced training. Training can be arranged onsite for companies wishing to certify employees together. The organization’s online Engage community offers exam preparation assistance via a platform where candidates can connect with peers. Additionally, numerous third-party companies like Infosec Institute, Learning Tree, Cybrary, Secure Ninja, Career Academy, BSI, and others offer exam preparation courses and boot camps outside ISACA's offerings. ISACA provides CISA exam study materials in multiple languages.
Candidates for the CISA designation must prove they have five years of applicable work and educational experience in information systems auditing, control, or security. Alternatively, candidates without sufficient work experience may waive up to three years of the work employment requirement if they meet specific education credentials or have gained previous knowledge in areas such as non-information systems auditing.
Those who earn the CISA designation must follow the ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics to retain it. To maintain their credential, they must also complete 20 hours of yearly training and 120 hours of learning within three years. ISACA provides various options, such as attending specific conferences, completing ISACA Training Week courses, engaging in certified online training, participating in tech education events, or undertaking on-demand learning to earn continuing education credits (CPE).
CPE credits can also be made by taking journal quizzes available exclusively to members, volunteering with ISACA or One in Tech, and attending specified ISACA activities or meetings. ISACA charges an annual maintenance fee for CISA designation renewal.
CISA holders constitute a specialized segment within the business sector and enjoy numerous career advantages, including recognition for specialized knowledge and increased salary potential. According to ISACA, those possessing the designation experienced a 22 percent increase in their salary and a 70 percent increase in job satisfaction. The CISA certification increases job prospects as it holds universal recognition and is transferable across various industries.
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