Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is an information security certification entity that specialises in technical and practical certification as well as new research in the form of its GIAC Gold program.
SANS Institute
The SANS Institute (officially the Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies) is a private U.S. for-profit company founded in 1989 that specializes in information security, cybersecurity training, and selling certificates. Topics available for t ...
founded the certification entity in 1999 and the term GIAC is trademarked by
The Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies.
GIAC provides a set of vendor-neutral
computer security
Computer security, cybersecurity (cyber security), or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, t ...
certifications linked to the training courses provided by the
SANS. GIAC is specific to the leading edge technological advancement of
IT security in order to keep ahead of "
black hat
Black hat, blackhats, or black-hat refers to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Black hat (computer security), a hacker who violates computer security for little reason beyond maliciousness or for personal gain
* Black hat, part of black and whit ...
" techniques. Papers written by individuals pursuing GIAC certifications are presented at the SANS Reading Room on GIAC's website.
Initially all SANS GIAC certifications required a written paper or "practical" on a specific area of the certification in order to achieve the certification. In April 2005, the SANS organization changed the format of the certification by breaking it into two separate levels. The "silver" level certification is achieved upon completion of a multiple choice exam. The "gold" level certification can be obtained by completing a research paper and has the silver level as a prerequisite.
As of August 27, 2022, GIAC has granted 173,822 certifications worldwide.
SANS GIAC Certifications
Certifications listed as 'unavailable' are not listed in official SANS or GIAC sources, and are found elsewhere. They are not the same as retired courses.
Cyber Defense
Penetration Testing
Management, Audit, Legal
Operations
Developer
Incident Response and Forensics
Industrial Control Systems
GSE
Unobtainable Certifications
The following certifications are no longer issued.
External links
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Notes
Computer security qualifications
Digital forensics certification
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