ISACA is known as an industry thought leader, a trusted professional resource, and offers best in class, internationally recognized certifications for IT/IS professionals. And when I think about that success, and what makes ISACA so reputable, the common denominator is always: ISACA volunteers.
Volunteers are integral in everything we do at ISACA, baked into nearly all procedures. They help author articles, white papers, blogs, and more, and perform content peer reviews as subject matter experts. Volunteers write, review, and revise exam and exam prep material for all certifications. Volunteers lead conversations on Engage, judge scholarship recipients, promote the ISACA community, conduct interviews and focus groups about products, support onsite conferences, and much, much more. And of course, over 2,500 volunteers serve on boards and support ISACA chapters and members locally around the world.
Volunteers are ISACA – but what’s in it for them? From my viewpoint as program manager, I get a first-hand look at the symbiotic nature of this partnership. I’m on the receiving end of feedback surveys that tell me 98% of volunteers want to participate again; and I watch as our Volunteer Pool gains new members every month, sitting well over 14,000 at the time this was written.
So, for this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Week, I simply wanted to ask “Why?” Why do volunteers choose to dedicate their valuable time to ISACA, and why do they keep coming back? The answers are insightful and inspiring, and I think many readers will see themselves in the responses, too.
What motivated you to begin volunteering with ISACA? Why do you continue?
“My father has been an active ISACA contributor and local chapter member for decades and I had learnt about the value of volunteering to keep myself abreast of any changes to the practice. I obtained some ISACA credentials and I wanted to add value on top of getting knowledge through my volunteer activities. Being able to contribute to the profession in some form or other is majorly possible through ISACA."
- Amogh Patkar
“I wanted to get involved in ISACA after becoming a member and earning my CISM qualification, and give something back to the wider ISACA community. I also wanted to get experiences I wouldn't necessarily get in my day-to-day role to broaden my knowledge. I continue volunteering still for these reasons, and the ability to get CPE for volunteering is also useful to ensure I maintain the qualification requirements."
- Simon Backwell
“What started me off was looking for ways to continue my involvement with ISACA and stay engaged with the subject. Having spent some time in IT risk management, I felt at a point where I was able to share that experience, and the volunteer opportunities are an excellent way to do that without a major time commitment. It has been a very rewarding experience so far, and a great way to feel I have some small influence in the profession."- Linda Tait
“I was motivated to start volunteering with ISACA because of the opportunities to network globally with other professionals in audit roles and to also boost my resume. Volunteering offers me the opportunity to stay current on emerging topics in IT and audit, and I am able to continuously broaden my knowledge."
- Wole Davis
“I was motivated to begin volunteering with ISACA due to my deep love and passion for information security. Having reached a point in my career where I can finally give back in a meaningful way, I saw volunteering with ISACA as an excellent opportunity to combine my expertise with my desire to help others. ISACA's mission and values resonate with me, and I am enthusiastic about contributing to the community and making a positive impact within the fields of information security, IT audit, and data privacy. Moreover, the sense of fulfillment I experience from giving back and knowing that my efforts can positively impact others is immensely rewarding." - Brian Vasquez
“My primary motivation was to contribute to the dynamic information security community that ISACA cultivates and to help shape the evolving risk and information security landscape. Being able to share my knowledge and experience to help others in the field and engage is personally satisfying. Information security, especially in the age of artificial intelligence, is a dynamic, and sometimes, chaotic world. ISACA fosters connections, collaboration and contributions with its volunteering opportunities and lets me be part of shaping the future" - Divya Aradhya
What kinds of benefits do you receive as an ISACA volunteer?
AP – “I was able to learn about the various situations of the ISACA Foundation's scholarship recipients and frankly it gave me a new perspective on life and my profession. I have tried to be more inclusive in my relationships with my colleagues and also my communication.
“Reviewing manual updates to ensure credentialing material is improved year over year has helped me to be on track of supporting the next generation of professionals as much as possible.”
SB – “I receive knowledge from my volunteering duties, CPE to support my qualification requirements and also the benefit of being involved in different and engaging experiences to aid ISACA and other parties.”
LT – “The most obvious benefit of volunteering is the opportunity to earn CPE hours, but aside from that it's a great way to meet other ISACA members, expand your network, and learn from other people’s experiences.”
WD – “Volunteering with ISACA boosted my resume and assisted me in getting better job offers. My network of professional friends has also increased across the globe. Volunteering with ISACA also helps me to meet my annual Continuous Professional Education (CPE) requirement easily.”
BV – “I've had the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals in the field of information security, fostering valuable connections and collaborations. Additionally, volunteering with ISACA has provided me with opportunities for professional development, such as access to exclusive training and resources that have furthered my expertise in the field. Furthermore, being part of ISACA's volunteer community has allowed me to contribute to meaningful projects and initiatives, making a tangible difference in the industry while fulfilling my passion for giving back. Overall, the experience of volunteering with ISACA has been immensely rewarding, offering both personal fulfillment and professional growth.”
DA – “Volunteering with ISACA helps me share my thoughts and use my experience to create something bigger and better. It keeps me involved in the industry, beyond what I do at work. And then of course there are the CPEs, which honestly become incidental compared to all the other benefits.”
What are you most proud of about your time volunteering with ISACA?
AP – “I believe as part of the CISM Review Manual, my name and my father’s name will be listed right below each other. Being able to collaborate and share success with him has been a very rewarding time, majorly due to my volunteer participation with ISACA.”
SB – “My proudest achievements are seeing articles that I've contributed published in online publications, especially ones that I read separately. To see my work being shared with a wider community is really flattering.”
LT – “I am proud of the work the UK Advocacy Task Force does, the consultations we’ve responded to, and the fact that my voice can get heard as part of that response.”
WD – “I am proud of the global recognition I got as the 2023 Outstanding Chapter Leader Award recipient. I was recognized among only five outstanding chapter leader award recipients in 2023 globally. This gave me the opportunity to also attend ISACA's Digital Trust World conference in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.”
BV – “I am most proud of my contributions to various ISACA offerings during my time as a volunteer. One of my recent achievements was serving as a subject matter expert reviewer for the latest CISA Review Manual. In this role, I played a crucial part in identifying potential gaps in knowledge areas within the Manual, ensuring that it provides comprehensive coverage for CISA exam candidates. By leveraging my expertise in information security, I contributed to enhancing the quality and relevance of the study material, ultimately aiding aspiring professionals in their certification journey.”
DA – “That I am able to sit in the capacity of a judge for the scholarship reviews, and actually make a difference in some students’ lives. ISACA is doing a huge service to students, year after year, by offering these scholarships. As a product of scholarship, I personally know the way they can turn around a student’s life. I feel deeply honored to be able to be a part of this circle now and know that the futures of so many will be getting brighter.”
Has volunteering with ISACA made you a better professional? Has it helped build your network?
AP – “Volunteering has helped me to challenge some of my biases and also helped me to be on the lookout for any genuine dissenting opinions that challenge the status quo. We cannot innovate if we cannot dissent has been my motto since forever. I have connected with many ISACA volunteer coordinators and also have recommended ISACA volunteer options to peers and other network connections.”
SB – “It's provided me with insights to other individuals’ experiences and knowledge, which I can then share with others in my organization, be that my direct reports or the wider business to assist their understanding and awareness of security matters.”
LT – “Volunteering has made me stay engaged with ISACA, and definitely keep more up to date with developments such as AI. I have expanded my professional network through these activities, especially the UK Advocacy Task Force. We have had several calls to discuss the responses the team has been working on, and even some face-to-face meetings, so I have had the opportunity to get to know the rest of the team. We have all come from different professional backgrounds, and can all learn from each other.”
WD – “As an ISACA volunteer, I am able to stay current on topical issues outside my normal course of work. For example, I moved from banking to manufacturing, but I volunteered to review the new version of PCIDSS Audit Program. This helped me to refresh my knowledge on information security standards for credit cards. And participation in various working groups helped me to have professional friends in almost all the continents.”
BV – “Volunteering with ISACA has played a significant role in shaping me into a better professional, by providing me with invaluable opportunities to hone my leadership and collaboration skills through various volunteer roles and projects. Working alongside other dedicated professionals within the ISACA community has challenged me to communicate effectively, delegate tasks efficiently and foster a positive team dynamic.”
DA – “It has helped me become aware of my voice and the impact I can have. It has helped gain a deep sense of satisfaction of being part of something bigger. It's helped me connect to other professionals and learn from their work. When my article on threat modeling was published on the ISACA Now blog, I had professionals from all over the world read it and reach out to me on LinkedIn telling me how they appreciated the article. They are connections I wouldn't have made otherwise, and it’s opened up my mind and world to the incredible work they are doing in their part of the world.”
What is your advice for someone who wants to get involved as an ISACA volunteer?
AP – “Trying to wait for the right volunteer opportunity is ideal but sometimes, a unique volunteer opportunity will add valuable perspective and a thinking change.”
SB – “Reach out to someone who already volunteers or is part of ISACA for guidance and further information. I'd also say apply for a role – there is no harm in applying and the experience you get from being a volunteer is really beneficial versus the time required.”
LT – “Do it! The micro-tasks won’t take up too much of your time, and the bigger initiatives can be very interesting to work on, so you will always get something out of it.”
WD – “ISACA provides the much-needed platform to network with other professionals globally. I urge all ISACA members to consistently review the volunteer Engage platform to engage in opportunities that align with their interests and skills.”
BV – “My advice for someone who wants to get involved as an ISACA volunteer is simple: just do it! Volunteering with ISACA is as easy as creating an account on Engage and applying for available volunteer opportunities you feel you most identify with. Don't hesitate to take that first step, as the benefits of volunteering with ISACA are numerous.”
DA – “Sign up. You may join to contribute, but you'll be surprised at what you get.”
Volunteer Contributors
Amogh Patkar is a Senior Consultant, Information Technology Compliance based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Amogh has served as a CISM Review Manual Subject Matter Expert Reviewer, ISACA Foundation Scholarship judge, and has participated in multiple discovery interviews for ISACA products.
Simon Backwell is an Information Security Manager from Southampton, England. Simon recently won an award for Best Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign from Business Awards UK; it was a three-part audio drama dealing with a story of a potential security threat.
Linda Tait is an IT Risk, Policy & Training Manager from Surrey, United Kingdom, a multi-year member of ISACA’s UK Advocacy Task Force, and has participated as a subject matter expert white paper reviewer, and on the CRISC QAE Database Quality Assurance Team.
Wole Davis is an Internal Audit Manager from Nigeria, Africa, and has served as a subject matter expert reviewer for numerous whitepapers and the Digital Trust Ecosystem Framework. He has made many volunteer contributions to CISA exam prep materials, and has served multiple years on the Emerging Trends Working Group and IT Audit and Assurance Advisory Groups. Wole is also a chapter leader.
Brian Vasquez is a Director of Information Security and Compliance from California, United States. Brian has served as a reviewer for ISACA Foundation Scholarship programs multiple times, and as a multi-year ISACA Journal article reviewer. Brian has also served as an ISACA Award reviewer and CISA Review Manual subject matter expert.
Divya Aradhya is a Senior Vice President, Senior Application Security Architect based in Virginia, United States. Divya has served as an ISACA Foundation scholarship reviewer multiple times, a subject matter expert reviewer, and ISACA Awards reviewer.