Training
Featured CourseView All Courses
Get a free hour of SANS training

Experience SANS training through course previews.

Learn More
Learning Paths
FeaturedView all Focus Areas
Cloud Security Training
Can't find what you are looking for?

Let us help.

Contact us
Community Resources

SANS Community Benefits

Connect, learn, and share with other cybersecurity professionals

Solutions for Emerging Risks

Discover tailored resources that translate emerging threats into actionable strategies

Join the SANS Community

Become a member for instant access to our free resources.

Sign Up
For Organizations

Public Sector

Mission-focused cybersecurity training for government, defense, and education

Partnerships

Explore industry-specific programming and customized training solutions

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor a SANS event or research paper

Interested in developing a training plan to fit your organization’s needs?

We're here to help.

Contact Us
Talk With an Expert
Talk With an Expert

Cybersecurity Certifications 

Demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity with GIAC Certifications–the most rigorous assurance of cybersecurity knowledge and skills. Discover certified cybersecurity training courses led by experienced professionals to gain globally recognized credentials, including enterprise, government, and military sectors. 

Find My Certification
GIAC Certifications
Jump to:

Explore Certification Focus Areas

Easily explore the certification focus areas to find what will take your career to the next level.

Cloud Security

View Here

Cyber Defense

View Here

Offensive Operations

View Here

Digital Forensics and Incident Response Certifications

View Here

Industrial Control Systems

View Here

Cybersecurity Leadership

View Here

New GIAC Certifications

Sharpen your skills and unlock career opportunities with new GIAC certifications. 

GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design (GCAD)

The GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design (GCAD) certification validates a practitioner’s understanding of cloud provider frameworks and design approaches for secure architecture in the cloud. GCAD certification holders have demonstrated knowledge of the strategies and design techniques for topics such as workforce identity, conditional access, network security controls, and centralized logging.

GCAD
Learn More

GIAC Cyber Incident Leader (GCIL)

The GIAC Cyber Incident Leader (GCIL) certification validates a practitioner’s ability to manage cyber incidents and lead a diverse incident management (IM) team to restore normal operations. GCIL holders demonstrate expertise in preparing for, assessing, handling, tracking, and documenting incidents; developing IM teams; managing vulnerabilities, threats, and attacks; facilitating communication; and improving IM processes.

GCIL
Learn More

Exam Prep and Help Getting Certified

The best way to prepare for any GIAC practitioner certification is with the affiliated SANS training course. Each SANS training course is a deep dive into critically-needed security skills that are then validated by a GIAC certification. 

Study Tips
Exam Prep

Get Certified With GIAC

Validate your expertise, boost professional development, and enhance your career prospects with globally recognized certifications in multiple disciplines. 

Exam Overview

GIAC is committed to providing you with high-quality and relevant exams. Experts bring their lifelong knowledge and experiences to each test, and a psychometrician rigorously evaluates all exams to ensure fairness and accuracy.

Learn More

CyberLive

GIAC’s CyberLive exams offer a unique testing experience in a lab environment, requiring you to perform hands-on tasks that mirror potential daily responsibilities. This approach sets GIAC apart as a leader in infosec skill validation.

Learn More

Stay Certified

Keep certifications active to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensure professional relevance in the workplace. To renew, earn 36 CPEs while your GIAC certification is active or retake the exam. 

Learn More

Interactive Role Mapping

Quickly see how GIAC Certifications maps to key standards like the NICE Framework and DoD 8140 Directive. Identify role-based training needs, meet compliance goals, and guide your team’s development.

NICE Framework MappingExplore DoD 8140
Two People Looking at a Computer

GIAC Certification Holders Say

  • Slide 1 of 4
    I feel now that I am certified, the whole "Trust Me, I'm Certified" actually does exist. I was able to land my dream role thanks to the skills and knowledge I've learned via taking SANS courses and passing GIAC exams.
    Nate GonzalezGSEC, GCIH
  • Slide 2 of 4
    A SANS / GIAC certification holds a high degree of value: it truly establishes one as an expert in their field.
    Navroz ShariffNASA, ASRC
  • Slide 3 of 4
    I value the instant respect and credibility GIAC professionals receive. People know you've worked hard to obtain the certification and they recognize the critical skills and knowledge that come with it.
    Ben BoyleGWAPT, GXPN, GPEN
  • Slide 4 of 4
    The GIAC cert exam covers information in real-world terms. Even as an open-book exam it was challenging. It wasn't about memorizing answers but instead applying that information to real-life scenarios.
    Ken HansenGISF – Quanta
Slide 1 of 0

Cybersecurity Certifications FAQs

Resources from GIAC Certifications

SANS Institute

What certification do I need?

In today’s complex cybersecurity landscape, hands-on skills are more critical than ever.

Blog
Blog placeholder image
All Resources