The New England Chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association ® was founded in 1976. From the modest beginnings of its first meeting -- which was held at Valle's Steak House on Route 9 in Newton, the New England Chapter has grown to over 1400 members across four states (MA, NH, ME, VT).
The primary objective of the New England Chapter of ISACA ® is to provide quality IS-related education to its members. The IS audit profession is based and dependent on technological expertise, therefore the Association seeks to keep its members abreast of rapid changes that vitally affect the state of the computing art.
As part of the Chapter's efforts to tailor its educational programs to the specific needs of its membership, the Chapter has periodically conducted surveys. These surveys have elicited information regarding topics of interest, and the degree of interest in each topic. Specific responses were requested on a variety of aspects within audit administration, security, technical auditing, systems software auditing, audit support techniques, and other miscellaneous topics. The results of the surveys have been instrumental in setting the Chapter's educational programs.
The Association seeks to identify the needed common body of knowledge required by IS auditors, and to set a curriculum appropriate to that need. In this way, the Chapter assists its members in developing and maintaining skills that are appropriate to a constantly changing professional environment. The educational program of the Chapter includes monthly breakfast meetings in four locations (Metro West, Boston, RI, and NH), as well as five-to-six seminars each year which usually run in duration from one to two days.
In addition to its educational agenda, a second objective of the Chapter is to provide a peer forum where IS auditors can regularly meet and exchange ideas and experiences. Through its breakfast meetings, seminars, and the annual general meeting, the Association promotes peer interaction and provides a means for the professional exploration and idea interchange which are so vital to personal and occupational growth and development.
Another of the Chapter's goals is to provide the business community with a highly trained cadre of professional IS auditors. To help ensure the technical caliber of members of the profession, the New England Chapter annually provides a CISA® and CISM® review course which has been instrumental in assisting many Chapter members in attaining the designation of CISA® or CISM®.
A further objective is to promote information systems auditing as a career path. Through its College Relations Committee, the Chapter has endeavored to promote IS-audit career path interest among college and university students throughout the region. For the past several years, the Chapter has sponsored IS audit presentations, tables and booths on an ad-hoc basis and at various career day seminars. These presentations have been well received, and the feedback to the Chapter has been most favorable.
Finally, a major Chapter goal is to inform its members of current Chapter events, and other relevant matters. The Chapter's monthly newsletter provides a means by which the members are kept current on Chapter activities, and provides a means to distribute articles on topics of general and technical interest to member IS auditors.
