Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

GIAC Security Expert (GSE)

Credential: GIAC Security Expert (GSE)  GI Bill resource CA Eligible
Credentialing Agency: Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), GIAC Security Expert (GSE) is an advanced skill level certification for top security consultants and practitioners that is targeted to those pursuing an in-depth technical education in all areas of information security. Candidates must successfully complete three GIAC certifications with at least one Gold designation prior to earning the GSE. There are multiple combinations of prerequisite GIAC certification that will meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, candidates must have real world, hands on experience in relevant subject areas. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

GIAC Security Expert (GSE)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    medium

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: GSEC, GCIH, GCIA, GCWN, or GCUX + at least one Gold designation
  • Experience
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 4 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

11200 Rockville Pike
Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD  20852

Phone: (301) 654-7267

Fax: (301) 951-0140
Email: info@giac.org

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Candidate must hold one combination of the following certifications in good standing with applicable Gold designation(s):

  • GSEC, GCIH, GCIA with two Gold
  • GSEC, GCIH, GCIA with one Gold and one substitute
  • GSEC, GCIH, GCIA with no Gold and two substitutes
  • GCWN, GCUX, GCIH, GCIA with one Gold
  • GCWN, GCUX, GCIH, GCIA with no Gold and one substitute

GSE pre-requisite baseline is: GSEC, GCIH, GCIA with two Gold certifications.

Pre-requisite Substitution Options:

  • GCWN & GCUX combined can act as a substitute for GSEC.
  • Advanced level GIAC certifications can act as substitutes for Gold papers. Visit the GIAC Certification Roadmap for details.

Although there is no specific number of years required, candidate must have real world, hands-on experience in relevent areas.

The GIAC Security Expert (GSE) credential has the following other requirements:

Written Exam

The GSE exam is given in two parts. The first part is a multiple choice exam. Passing this exam qualifies a person to sit for the second part, the GSE hands-on lab (practical exam). The written exam is a multiple choice exam that covers the following major groups:

  • Intrusion Detection and Analysis Skills
  • Incident Handling Skills
  • General Security Skills

Practical Exam

After passing the written exam, candidates must complete a two day hands-on lab. The first day consists of an incident response scenario that requires the candidate to analyze data and report their results in a written report. The second day consists of a rigorous battery of hands on exercises drawn from all of the domains listed below.

  • IDS and Traffic Analysis Domain
    • Capture Traffic
    • Analyze Traffic
    • Interpret Traffic
    • IDS Tools
  • Incident Handling Domain
    • IH Process
    • Common Attacks
    • Malware
    • Preserving Evidence
  • ITSEC Domain
    • Windows Security
    • Unix Security
    • Secure Communications
    • Protocols
    • Security Principles
  • Security Technologies Domain
    • Firewalls
    • Vulnerability Scanners, and Port Scanners
    • Sniffers and Analyzers
    • Common Tools
  • Soft Skills Domain
    • Security Policy and Business Issues
    • Information Warfare and Social Engineering
    • Ability To Write
    • Ability to Analyze

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the GIAC Security Expert (GSE) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the GIAC Security Expert (GSE) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

GIAC Security Expert (GSE)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The GIAC Security Expert (GSE) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The GSE is renewed every four years by taking the current version of the GSE multiple choice exam. The GSE may not be renewed via CPE's. Renewing the GSE will renew all active GIAC certifications.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

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An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

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Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Information Security Analysts

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Information Security Analysts

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Updated: March 31, 2021
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