ISACA History

The ISACA 50 Story

Quote Graphic: How ISACA Members Benefit In Future

ISACA CommunITy Day Infographic

Infographic: Next Decade of Tech

ISACA Quote: ISACA Benefits for New Professionals

Quote Graphic: How ISACA Has Helped Your Career

Infographic: ISACA Certification Anniversary

Infographic: ISACA 50th Anniversary Impact

ISACA 50th Anniversary Tech Predictions

COBIT Timeline 2019

ISACA 50th Anniversary Tech Milestones

1986 EDP Auditor Reagan Telegram

1980 EDPAA Brochure

ISACA50 Quiz

1973 EDPAA First Conference

1969-2019 Past Board Chairs

CACS Conferences Prove a Worthy Investment

While the CACS conferences of today still maintain a focus on audit and assurance, the conference program has evolved over the years to reflect the growing demand for knowledge in areas such as information security, emerging technologies and digital transformation.

COBIT Over the Years

In 1996, ISACA had a big dream: to launch a new framework, then called COBiT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology). Its goal was to help organizations of all sizes, and in all industries, govern and manage their information and technology.

Computer Technology and Auditing: The Early Years

The world of the EPDAA auditor was far different than that of an ISACA member today. Step back through the decades to find out how.

Cybersecurity: Then, Now and Tomorrow

What we now refer to as “cybersecurity” has taken different shapes and names over the decades, along with the technology, processes and everyday tactics required to protect hardware, information systems and data.

David Samuelson 50th Anniversary Q&A

Samuelson recently visited with ISACA50.org to discuss the meaning of joining the organization during its milestone year and how ISACA can draw upon its decades of industry leadership to become even more impactful in the future.

How ISACA Helped Prepare the World for Y2K

When complex computer programs were first written in the 1960s, any given year was written as a two-digit code, leaving out the “19.” As the year 2000 approached, we realized this date shortcut meant that systems could interpret “00” as the year 1900 and cause major glitches worldwide.

ISACA in China, Then and Now

The official opening of our office in Beijing, China, in June 2018 was truly a milestone for ISACA. This is our first office outside the United States despite our standing as a global association with chapters in more than 200 countries.

ISACA’s First-Ever CommunITy Day Brings Together Staff, Members Worldwide to Make a Difference

On 5 October, 2019, ISACA’s inaugural worldwide day of volunteerism, CommunITy Day, brought together 2,800 volunteers around the world to give back to their communities.

ISACA’s Founding Fathers: “The Five Wise Men from the West”

While many companies and organizations trace their heritage back to a single founder, ISACA has a more democratic foundation based on the contributions of a group of individuals.

Leading the Way: Men and Women at the Helm

From the grass-roots vision and bravado required in the organization’s early years, to the complicated business and strategic puzzles that accompanied – and still influence – the organization’s growth in more recent years, ISACA leaders have encountered distinct challenges on the path to 50 years and beyond.

Making the Mark: The Importance of Certification

Not only has ISACA long provided the knowledge resources needed for its professional community to excel on the job, but also the credentials to demonstrate that capability to employers.

Our Chapters – The Foundation of a Global Network

EDPAA was incorporated in the state of California in 1969. The seven founders thought forming an association was a great idea to facilitate professional development and networking among their colleagues who audited computer system controls.

Q&A with Gene Frank, ISACA Founding Member

The following is a transcript of the Q&A conversation with Gene Frank, one of ISACA’s founding members when ISACA was incorporated as the Electronic Data Processing Auditors Association (EDPAA) 50 years ago in Los Angeles, California.

Read All About It! The World of Chapter Newsletters

One of the most valuable means of forging a chapter’s identity is its newsletter. Each one seems a reflection of the tone and creativity of not only the leadership or even the members but of the community in which they reside.

Strong Ties from the Beginning: ISACA and the “Big Four”

From day one as the Electronic Data Processing Auditors Association (EDPAA), the professional association now known as ISACA has provided benefits to members who hold diverse roles in information systems governance, security, audit and assurance, across a wide range of industries and organizations, large to small.

The Evolution and Power of Disruptive Technology

At ISACA’s North America CACS conference Tuesday morning, an executive panel spoke on the past 50 years of tech disruption—and where technology is taking us in the future. Technology has truly democratized society, according to the panelists.

Trsar Family Helps Ensure ISACA’s Growth in ‘Good Hands’

Terry Trsar was instrumental in building many of ISACA’s most well-known programs. His son, Tim Trsar, is helping take them to new heights. Collectively, the affable father-son duo continues to leave a significant imprint on ISACA’s trajectory of growth and expanded global impact.

Vision 2000: How EDPAA Became ISACA

Taking a logical, methodical approach true to their profession, EDPAA leaders formed an “Image 2000” committee, wrote a “Vision 2000” long-range mission statement, and executed a three-year plan to move toward the ISACA of today.

What Inspires Us Binds Us Together

Sometimes it was reading a book about robots or some other technology subject as a child. In some cases, it was news coverage of a splashy technology topic that caught a future ISACA member’s eye.

You’re Never Far From an ISACA Member

Ron Hale did not know anybody in ISACA’s Lima, Peru, chapter, but with his daughter set to visit the area, traveling there from the US for an archaeologic dig, he decided to reach out to the chapter to seek some local expertise.

Rise of the Digital Natives

The technology landscape of the 2020s is sure to include some sweeping changes. What impact might the rise of more digital natives to leadership roles within their organizations have on how organizations explore and deploy technology? On this episode of the ISACA Podcast's 50th Anniversary Series, guest Alicja Foksinska offers her perspective.

New Paths in the Pursuit of Knowledge

Learning and certification have been at the heart of ISACA's 50-year history, but many of the ways in which technology professionals have pursued industry expertise have changed with the times. Guest Allan Boardman provides his perspective on what has changed and what has stayed constant for learners in ISACA's professional community.

Volunteerism: The Catalyst of ISACA’s Sustained Growth

From its proud but humble origins as a small group of auditors in the Los Angeles area, ISACA has evolved over the past 50 years into a thriving global association of business technology professionals. A spirit of volunteerism has been the catalyst, as explored in this episode of the ISACA Podcast with guest Michael Cangemi.

Breaking Down Barriers in Mobile Security

The need for mobile security solutions has exploded in the 2000s, but many of organizations' traditional security considerations are insufficient when it comes to accounting for the proliferation of mobile devices. In this 50th Anniversary Series episode of the ISACA Podcast with guest Eric Green, we find out why it is so hard for individuals and their organizations to get it right on mobile security, and what can be done to break down those barriers.

The Staying Power of the CISA Certification

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification is ISACA's flagship certification and has played a major role in the organization's growth and global cachet over ISACA's 50-year history. In this 50th Anniversary Series edition of the ISACA Podcast, guest Thomas Phelps discusses how the CISA has remained relevant amid a dynamic and fast-changing technology landscape.

Technology Shifts in the Financial Sector

From mobile payments to the use of artificial intelligence to the introduction of new security risks, technology has had a profound impact on how the financial sector operates. In this 50th Anniversary Series episode of the ISACA Podcast, Ashley Holmes analyzes the past, present and future state of fintech. Holmes notes that banks and others in the financial services sector have to manage a balancing act in embracing innovation and automation while not alienating customers that still expect a certain level of human-to-human service and accessibility.

Professional Networking Over the Years

While social media has helped to reshape the professional networking landscape, some fundamentals of networking remain the same. In this 50th Anniversary series episode of the ISACA Podcast, ISACA member Matthias Kraft discusses what has changed, and what has not, when it comes to professional networking.

The Evolving Role of Technology Governance

As technology increasingly has become a central driver of business performance, the governance of that technology has become more challenging and more important for organizations. In this ISACA Podcast 50th Anniversary series program, ISACA board director Tichaona Zororo provides his perspective on how technology governance has evolved over the years and the impact that the COBIT framework has made for governance professionals.

The Future of IT Audit

On this ISACA 50th Anniversary Series Podcast, Krysten McCabe, of The Home Depot, looks ahead to the future of the IT Audit profession, given the rise of automation and other changes to the technology landscape.

Building an Early Relationship with ISACA

Providing early opportunities for young professionals to accelerate their career paths and expand their networks has long been a hallmark of ISACA. In this 50th Anniversary Series episode of the ISACA Podcast, ISACA member Mais Barouqa discusses how ISACA credentialing and volunteer opportunities have helped her grow as a young professional.

ISACA – 50 Years and Counting

ISACA is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, having evolved from a grassroots, Los Angeles-based organization focused on electronic data processing in 1969 to the global business technology association it has become today, with 140,000 members and local chapters in more than 220 countries. In this 50th Anniversary Series podcast, ISACA board chair Rob Clyde addresses how the organization has changed – and what aspects have not changed – over the past 50 years, and what technological forces will help shape the organization’s future.

COBIT’s Impact on the Governance Profession

ISACA’s COBIT framework has helped practitioners around the world better manage and govern their information and technology for more than two decades. In this ISACA 50th Anniversary series podcast, we examine the impact COBIT has made for governance professionals and how the framework has evolved, including the recent launch of COBIT 2019.

The Elevation of Cybersecurity to a Board-Level Imperative

Cybersecurity has found its way onto board agendas for enterprises across all industries throughout the world, yet remains a mighty challenge. In this ISACA 50th Anniversary series podcast, we examine how cybersecurity came to command such high-profile attention and what organizational leaders can do to improve cyber preparedness.

The Impact of Automation and Robotics

While there are concerns about the influence automation could have on the technology workforce, automation also can drive economic growth and create new types of technology jobs. In this ISACA 50th Anniversary Series podcast, we discuss the transformative impact of automation and robotics on the tech workforce and society in general.

ISACA's 50th Anniversary Celebration Highlights

ISACA celebrated its 50th anniversary throughout 2019 while looking ahead to an even more promising future.

ISACA in the 2010s

In a decade marked by increased cyber threats, ISACA introduced its CRISC certification and launched Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX) for cybersecurity professionals.

ISACA in the 2000s

As ISACA entered into the new millennium, it successfully navigated Y2K, provided impactful guidance around Sarbanes-Oxley, and introduced its CISM and CGEIT certifications, while growing its membership to 186 chapters in 77 countries.

Certification Through the Years

Take a look back at the history of ISACA’s certifications for IT audit, security, governance and risk professionals—CISA, CISM, CGEIT, CRISC and CSXP— and listen to ISACA members reflect on the impact the certifications have had on their careers.

A History of COBIT

Learn how ISACA’s Control Objectives evolved into COBIT, a globally respected framework for the governance and management of enterprise information and technology, and how COBIT 2019 builds upon this rich history.

ISACA in the 1990s

During the 1990s, the association celebrated its 25th anniversary and changed its name from EDPAA to ISACA. ISACA also introduced COBIT to help professionals govern and manage enterprise IT.

ISACA in the 1980s

Revisit the 1980s, when the association, then known as EDPAA, continued to expand, increasing its number of conferences and chapters, as well as marking the milestone of its first CISA certification exam.

ISACA in the 1970s

Take a look back at ISACA during the 1970s, a time when the association established its roots in the IT community and marked many milestones, including the hire of its first employee, the launch of its first national conference, the opening of its first international chapter and the introduction of the CISA certification.

Cybersecurity

ISACA has provided an array of resources to help its professional community adapt to the challenging cybersecurity landscape, including through its launch of the Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX) and the introduction of its CSXP credential.