ISACA and IIA SA signs memorandum of understanding

Signed by IIA SA CEO, Dr. Claudelle von Eck, and ISACA president, Winston Haydon, a key feature of the agreement is that it provides access to training for each organisation's members to the others training programmes.

"From an IIA SA standpoint, this agreement is extremely important because it allows our members access to IT audit specific training," says Von Eck. "The King 3 Report specifically mentions the need for increased focus on the management, governance and control of IT and IT processes, and with IT having become indispensable to the successful running of both business and government, it is essential that internal auditors have a good handle on how to audit the technology used by their organisations."

Beneficial to both parties

The relationship formed by this agreement will help to achieve this, to the benefit of IIA SA's members and the industries in which they operate. Similarly, the role of internal audit in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes has become equally important in the wake of the global financial crisis, and the memorandum will therefore be of similar value to ISACA members, who include IT and information systems professionals covering a range of titles and disciplines, many with a focus in IT assurance, control, security, governance and risk.

Given that IIA SA offers technical guidance, professional training programmes, certification programmes and continuing professional development opportunities, while the local chapter of US-based ISACA seeks to promote and expand knowledge and skills in the interrelated fields of auditing, quality assurance, security, IS audit and control, and IT governance, this collaboration clearly has the potential to increase skills in critical areas of the economy.