Basket
{{item.CourseTitle}}
Price: {{item.ItemPriceExVatFormatted}} {{item.Currency}}
If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity—or looking to take your existing expertise to the next level - GIAC® certifications are one of the smartest ways to prove your skills. Created by the world-renowned SANS Institute, GIAC certifications are recognized globally as a gold standard for hands-on, practical knowledge across a wide range of cybersecurity disciplines.
From cyber defense and penetration testing to incident response, cloud security, and industrial control systems (ICS), GIAC credentials are trusted by employers in both public and private sectors. In fact, more than 165,000 GIAC certifications have already been awarded, with credential holders working in mission-critical roles across governments, defense organizations, financial institutions, and Fortune 500 companies.
But with nearly 50 different certifications to choose from, each with its own focus area and level of difficulty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re just starting out.
Which one should you take first? What kind of roles does each certification prepare you for? And how do you study in a way that gives you the best shot at success?
That’s exactly what this guide is here to answer.
In the sections that follow, we’ll walk you through:
Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or looking to specialize in a new area, this guide will help you find your best starting point - and begin your GIAC journey with clarity and confidence.
GIAC®, or Global Information Assurance Certification, is the certification body associated with SANS training courses. The goal of GIAC is to validate the real-world, job-relevant skills of cybersecurity professionals through rigorous, hands-on exams.
GIAC certifications are role-based and cover six distinct cybersecurity domains:
Not sure which certification to start with? These are the most popular beginner-friendly GIAC certifications, handpicked by industry expert and Readynez instructor Jens Gilges.
This is the most recommended starting point for anyone new to cybersecurity—or for professionals in related roles (IT administrators, auditors, consultants, etc.) who want to build foundational security knowledge.
Newcomers to cybersecurity, managers, auditors, consultants, and tech support teams
If your focus is offensive security or ethical hacking, GPEN is a powerful entry point. It teaches you how to plan and execute penetration tests and exploit vulnerabilities ethically.
Reconnaissance and information gathering
Penetration testers, red team members, and blue teamers wanting to understand attacker tactics
Cloud engineers, DevSecOps professionals, security analysts, and IT leaders
ICS engineers, OT security professionals, plant managers, and risk analysts in critical infrastructure
GIAC exams are hands-on and scenario-based, testing not just what you know, but how you apply it. The average preparation time is about 55+ hours of study beyond classroom training.
At Readynez, we believe that passing your GIAC exam shouldn’t just be about watching slides - it should be about doing the work.
Here’s what sets our training apart:
Feature |
Readynez Approach |
|
Hands-on content |
90% labs, 10% slides |
|
Exam prep materials |
Included and index-friendly |
|
Updated courseware |
Always aligned with the latest tools and threats |
|
Smaller class sizes |
More interaction with instructors |
|
Post-training support |
Access to mock exams and additional resources |
Whether you’re preparing for GSEC, GPEN, GCLD, or GICSP, you’ll walk away with the skills you need to pass—and to perform in the real world.
Once your training is complete and you feel prepared, you can register for your exam through the official GIAC website. Exams are proctored and scheduled online, with strict identity verification and testing protocols.
Tip: GIAC exams are open book - but only printed materials are allowed, so building a custom exam index during your training is essential.
Starting your GIAC journey is one of the best investments you can make in your cybersecurity career. With the right support, the right training, and the right mindset, you’ll be well on your way to earning a certification that sets you apart.
👉 Explore All GIAC Courses with Readynez
📩 Have questions? Reach out to us in the chat—we’re happy to help!
Get Unlimited access to ALL the LIVE Instructor-led Security courses you want - all for the price of less than one course.
GIAC creates and maintains industry-standard cybersecurity certifications. With a wide portfolio of specialised qualifications available, GIAC provides some of the most rigorous standards for IT and security professionals worldwide.
So, regardless of how you train for your GIAC Certification. Look for more hands-on, more hours of instructor-led training, updated material and smaller classes.
GIAC continues to accept a wide variety of professional activities as Continuing Professional Experience (CPE) credits. We have expanded the flexibility of these CPEs to further simplify the maintenance of your certifications. Start accumulating and tracking your CPE credits as soon as your GIAC certification is earned. You have until your certification expiration date to complete your CPE submissions and remit payment of the certification maintenance fee. All CPE submissions must be acquired within the 4-year period in which your GIAC certification is active.
The GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification) program and digital badging provider Credly have partnered to provide our certification holders with a digital badge of their GIAC certification. Digital badges can be used in email signatures, personal web sites, social media sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as on electronic copies of resumes. Digital badges help GIAC certification holders convey to employers, potential employers and interested parties the skills required to earn and maintain a specialized GIAC certification.
Real people, real success for GIAC Certification professionals. Today's cyber attacks are highly sophisticated and exploit specific vulnerabilities. Broad, general InfoSec certifications are no longer enough. GIAC offers more than 30 cybersecurity certifications. Each certification focuses on specific job skills and requires unmatched and distinct knowledge.
Subscribe to the Newsletter and get the best of our knowledge and experience, hand-picked by our editors. Get all the relevant news about Digital Skills, Case Studies, Podcasts and course launches straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: