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Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies Certification (GFACT)

Cyber Defense Certification Overview

Validate foundational skills in computer hardware, networking, Linux and Windows administration, programming logic, and core security and forensics concepts.

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What Is the GFACT Certification?

The GFACT certification validates a practitioner's expertise in foundational cybersecurity concepts, covering the practical computer, technology, and security skills needed to contribute on day one in a cybersecurity role.

By the numbers

2 hrs

Exam duration

75

Questions

71%

Min. passing score

What GFACT Covers

The objectives group into 5 practical domains.

Computing Foundations

Computer hardware, virtualization, operating systems, the web, cloud, and data storage.

Networking & Systems Administration

Networking concepts and server types, plus Linux and Windows administration.

Programming & Logic

Logical operations, programming syntax and constructs, and memory allocation.

Security Concepts

Cryptography, ethical and legal concerns, attack stages, and defensive strategies.

Offense, Forensics & Incident Response

Exploit anatomy, attacker tools and mitigation, forensics tools, incident response stages, and post-exploitation methods.

Prepare With This Course

SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, & Security

Course Details

How SEC275 Prepares You for GFACT

SEC275 is built around the exam objectives that make up the GFACT certification: 

  • Computing Foundations (Computer Components and Concepts, Advanced Computer Hardware, The Web, Servers and Services, SQL) builds skills tested under Computer Hardware & Virtualization and Operating Systems, The Web, & Data Storage.
  • Networking & Systems Administration (Networking Fundamentals, Linux, Windows Foundations) aligns with Networking & Servers, Linux Foundations, and Windows Foundations.
  • Programming & Logic (Practical Programming and Concepts, Assembly) builds skills tested under Logic & Programming.
  • Security Concepts (Security Concepts) aligns with Security Concepts.
  • Offense, Forensics & Incident Response (Offensive Security Concepts, Network and Computer Infiltration) builds skills tested under Exploitation & Mitigation and Forensics & Post-Exploitation.

Across the course's 13 modules, 90 hands-on labs give you a chance to apply each skill directly, from Linux command-line work to packet analysis, before a final review module consolidates everything ahead of the GFACT exam. 

Read the full GFACT certification overview 

SEC275 Authors

James Lyne

James Lyne

Chief Executive Officer at SANS Institute

James has spent the past 20 years of his life chasing cybercriminals around the Internet and, as a self-professed “massive geek”, has been involved in most cyber security disciplines.

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Rich Greene

Rich Greene

Senior Solutions Engineer at SANS Institute

Rich Greene, SANS Senior Solutions Engineer and SEC301 author, brings 20+ years of cyber operations and teaching experience to the classroom. With 15+ GIAC certifications and a passion for mentorship, he equips defenders with real-world confidence and skill.

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Who Should Pursue GFACT

Anyone New to Cybersecurity

Career Changers

College and University Students

Business Professionals Building Cybersecurity Knowledge

New Hires in IT or Cybersecurity

Frequently Asked Questions

The GFACT certification validates a practitioner's expertise in foundational cybersecurity concepts, covering the practical computer, technology, and security skills needed to contribute on day one in a cybersecurity role. 

The GFACT exam is a single proctored, 2-hour exam with 75 questions and a minimum passing score of 71%.

GIAC certifications are renewed on a recurring cycle through continuing education credits and a maintenance fee. For the current renewal requirements, see GIAC’s renewal page. 

GFACT is built for anyone new to cybersecurity, career changers, college and university students, business professionals building cybersecurity knowledge, and new hires in IT or cybersecurity.

SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, & Security prepares you for it through 90 hands-on labs across 13 modules covering everything from Linux and Windows administration to exploitation, forensics, and incident response.

Ready to earn your GFACT certification?

Add the GFACT exam attempt when you register for SEC275.

Register for SEC275

Already trained? Register for the exam directly through GIAC here.