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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Coursera

Overview

The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com).
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Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives.

With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the compliance to the government regulations. Management in organizations also need to be assured that systems work the way they expected. IS auditors play a crucial role in handling these issues.

In the course “Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance”, you will explore risks of information systems, and how to mitigate the risks by proper IS Controls. You will also get familiar with the IS Audit procedures and how they are applied during the IS development throughout the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Finally, you will get to observe how we can make the system changes more manageable using formal IS Management practices, such as Change Management Controls and Emergency Changes.

The conversations between the course instructor - Prof. Percy Dias, and the IS auditing practitioner will give you a concrete idea on how IS auditors perform their duties, the qualities to become IS auditors and future prospects of IS auditing industry.

This course is suitable for students and graduates from Information Systems, Information Technology and Computer Science, and IT practitioners who are interested to get into the IS auditing field. It is also a good starting point for learners who would like to pursue further studies for IS audit certifications – such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Syllabus

  • Introduction to Information Systems (IS) Auditing
    • IS Auditing is related to risks, controls and assurance. In the first module, Prof. Dias introduces what risk is about. Getting deeper to risk, the 3-step risk management process is elaborated. To manage risks, controls need to be established. Prof. Dias also demonstrates with daily examples on what the controls are.
  • Perform IS auditing
    • You may have heard of financial auditing, do you know the difference between IS auditing and financial auditing? You are going to explore more about IS auditing through the conversation between Prof. Dias and the IS audit practitioner. Prof. Dias then explains the general IS audit procedures and two major testings that IS auditors/compliance officers have to conduct. Prof. Dias also explains the procedure to obtain evidence in order to produce justified audit reports.
  • Business Application Development and the Roles of IS Auditors
    • IT practitioners develop business applications following the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). IS auditors are in place to ensure the controls are implemented to mitigate the risks of developing application systems throughout the SDLC. Prof. Dias is going to review what IT practitioners usually do, and further elaborate the role that IS auditors play in different phases of SDLC.
  • IS Maintenance and Control
    • Information systems seldom remain static, it is common for users to make change requests to add new features, or refine existing functions some time after the information system launches. Organizations should follow a formal procedure to make the changes in their systems manageable. Prof. Dias is going to give you an overview on the change management controls which organizations should follow. Different kinds of maintenance practices, and Emergency Controls are also discussed in this module. Finally, Percy's conversations with the IS audit practitioner give you better insights on the future development of IS audit and how IS audit support the newly emerged FinTech industry.

Taught by

Garvin Percy DIAS

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 467 Class Central reviews

4.7 rating at Coursera based on 2580 ratings

Start your review of Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance

  • Anonymous
    Very informative , learnt alot, pls how do i get ny certificate, it was stated that I'll get one.

    Prof Dias did a good job in breaking down the course for anyone to understand and comprehend.
  • Anonymous
    It's a great course, an eye opener for Information System Auditors. Something that is essential to be in a good place to run a clean and complying business.
  • Anonymous
    Very good course to start understanding IS Audit function. Its help a lot for understanding basic of IS Audit.
  • Anonymous
    This course was great well explained, and in full detail. I found the experience well challenge, very introducing, and mind stimulating. Ms. Gloria Luk explained her knowledgeable insight of the future tech involvement, and how an IS auditor should prepare...
  • Anonymous
    Prof. Dias make it easy for the newly IT people who just started and want to pursue their career in the field of IT. He initial make our base strong by sharing his best knowledge and conduct interview was very helpful for us to getting aware what is happening in IT environment these days. Thankful to having a very keen professor like Prof. Dias who make me more convinced to learn more about IS/IT related course.
  • Profile image for Ashwini Shinde
    Ashwini Shinde
    From long back i was interested in this subject but due to busy schedule was not able to learn as it requires time and lengthy process and resources. But here this course was well understood and learnt with less time management and details understanding with expertise reviews and its growth in market.
    In week 1 i got to know as CISA in more detail and it actual objective. In week 2 i understand the risk assessment and mitigation and the graph to understand the measurement. In week 3 i understood the impact and risk of factors that are important for maintaining integrity of controls. In week 4 i understood the process of establishing protective and corrective measures for effective risk control
  • Anonymous
    This is the good course that I have taken in Coursera. As an internal auditing student, I would say that this course helped me a lot to gain more knowledge when it comes to information systems. The lessons/topics on the first week of the course are already very familiar to me as we already tackled them in my actual course (internal auditing). The following weeks/topics are very new to me, and I spend so much time understanding them very well. I chose to take this course because it will help me gain knowledge when I take the CISA examination someday. I also want to use my time wisely during this time of pandemic so I decided to enroll to this course.
  • Anonymous
    The course has helped me gain knowledge on how to evaluate an organization's internal control design and effectiveness. It also teaches how to make sure that the use of IT resourses in the organization conform to the company's policies as well as how to properly carry out changeovers.
    Earning a certificate in this course and placing it on my CV will definately communicate to recruiters that i am eagar to learn and grow in this field of technology which is constantly advancing.
    The teaching mixed with interviews were excellent and kept me captivated through out. I will definitely recommend this course to others who have an interest in IT Auditing.

  • Profile image for John Kennedy
    John Kennedy
    A very good course. for information Security auditor, As a beginner, this course is very useful and informative. it is important to be familiar with IT Audits. This course is an essential part of the IT studies which I believe shall be included in the undergrad program as an elective and the students should opt for this course.

    As far as my experience is concerned with this course, specifically with Prof. Dias, it was an amazing experience of learning with him, and the way he was demonstrating things was commendable. The interviews in between also play a key role which helps you understand the market of the IS Audits. Beautifully designed course. much apprciated.
  • Anonymous
    A very good made course by people of knowledge. Information systems auditing well explained as all the steps an auditor should do. Very good paradigms and case studies.

    The interview sessions were very necessary as they described real-life scenarios where an information system auditor can function.

    I recommend the course to beginners in the field of IS Auditors.
    However, I also feel that course is slightly outdated and discusses only one SDLC technique. The course is also not having any real life case studies to give an overall practitioners approach to the auditing role.
  • Anonymous
    Prof Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light of constraints.Prof Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light oProProf Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light of constraints.f Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light of constraints.f constraints. Prof Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light of constraints. Prof Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light of constraints. Prof Dias did the required justice within the scope in the light of constraints.
  • Anonymous
    Nice course. I have learnt many new things which will help to boost up my career. The class material was sufficient and easy to understand. The quizzes were also good. But I think the number of quiz may be increased. Then, we can evaluate myself many more.
    The teacher was good. He was very energetic and friendly. Practical example can be used. I am very much happy to enroll this course. I think people who are related to audit should enroll this course.
    It will help to clear the basic understanding regarding IS audit. I am satisfied. keep it up. Thank you.
  • Profile image for Sean Reymund Magcamit
    Sean Reymund Magcamit
    This is the first course that I have taken in Coursera. As an internal auditing student, I would say that this course helped me a lot to gain more knowledge when it comes to information systems. The lessons/topics on the first week of the course are already very familiar to me as we already tackled them in my actual course (internal auditing). The following weeks/topics are very new to me, and I spend so much time understanding them very well. I chose to take this course because it will help me gain knowledge when I take the CISA examination someday. I also want to use my time wisely during this time of pandemic so I decided to enroll to this course.
  • Anonymous
    it was really helpful for me I've achieved many important tips in this course program, I have understood data validation and the many kinds of checks like sequence check, limit check, limit check, range check, validity check, completeness check, duplicate and many more tips that were really useful for me and help full for my future education and acknowledgment and here I want to thanks from Hong kong university that enrolled me to this program and I could earn the knowledge
  • Anonymous
    Most of the financial data we are auditing heavily relies with IT structures in which we are not completely capacitated to perform IT audit. With this course, it provided me the basic information I need and gave me different insights on how to apply and integrate certain audit procedures from IT audit to financial audit. I also highly recommend this course to those who would like to explore a career in IT audit as it gives you a jumping point and at the same time a bird's eye-view of the future career, and most especially because the course offered a comprehensive discussion on the significant parts of IT audit.
  • Anonymous
    The course was designed such that without any prior knowledge also one can easily understand the concept . I am very satisfied with the course and it was very clearly explained by the Professor. Each and every module was very interesting . Now i got clear knowledge about the IS auditing, controls and the role of IS auditor and when an IS audit is needed. Thank you for the Course era who is extending the courses without charging any fee.
  • Ogah Adah Enoch
    I have learnt a lot of IS audit approach from this course which i will definitely be applying these skills in my work place. It would be more interesting if videos of hands on events can be uploaded along side the tutorials.

    I would also appreciate a section for career guide for those like my self who are wishing to take a career in IS so we can be led properly on what professional courses to take.

    sincerely
  • OJIH LINUS OJOCHEGBE
    Prof. Dias make it easy for the newly IT people who just started and want to pursue their career in the field of IT. He initial make our base strong by sharing his best knowledge and conduct interview was very helpful for us to getting aware what is happening in IT environment these days. Thankful to having a very keen professor like Prof. Dias who make me more convinced to learn more about IS/IT related course.
  • Anonymous
    For those new to IT who wish to pursue a career in the sector, Prof. Dias makes things simple. He first strengthened our foundation by imparting his finest expertise, and the interview he conducted helped us understand what is going on in the modern IT world. I'm appreciative of having a knowledgeable lecturer like Prof. Dias who has strengthened my desire to study more about IS/IT-related courses.
  • Anonymous
    This is one of the first course I've taken here in Coursera and by far the first one I finished. I'm not related to IT nor in management but I am so glad to have taken this course. It gave me lots of insights and has helped me quite improved my analytical decisions in terms of solving different scenarios. This definitely compatible for beginner levels. Thank you so much!

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