Use this quick start guide to collect all the information about GIAC GSEC Certification exam. This study guide provides a list of objectives and resources that will help you prepare for items on the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) exam. The Sample Questions will help you identify the type and difficulty level of the questions and the Practice Exams will make you familiar with the format and environment of an exam. You should refer this guide carefully before attempting your actual GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification exam.
The GIAC GSEC certification is mainly targeted to those candidates who want to build their career in Cyber Defense domain. The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) exam verifies that the candidate possesses the fundamental knowledge and proven skills in the area of GIAC GSEC.
GIAC GSEC Exam Summary:
| Exam Name | GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) |
| Exam Code | GSEC |
| Exam Price | $979 (USD) |
| Duration | 240 mins |
| Number of Questions | 106 |
| Passing Score | 73% |
| Books / Training | SEC401: Security Essentials - Network, Endpoint, and Cloud |
| Schedule Exam | Pearson VUE |
| Sample Questions | GIAC GSEC Sample Questions |
| Practice Exam | GIAC GSEC Certification Practice Exam |
GIAC GSEC Exam Syllabus Topics:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Access Control & Password Management | - The candidate will understand the fundamental theory of access control and the role of passwords in managing access control. |
| Container and MacOS Security | - The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how to secure containers and understand security features provided in MacOS. |
| Cryptography | - The candidate will have a basic understanding of the concepts of cryptography, including a high-level understanding of the major types of cryptosystems and steganography. |
| Cryptography Algorithms & Deployment | - The candidate will have a basic understand of the mathematical concepts that contribute to cryptography and identify commonly used symmetric, asymmetric, and hashing cryptosystems. |
| Cryptography Application | - The candidate will have a high-level understanding of the use, functionality, and operation of VPNs, GPG, and PKI |
| Data Loss Prevention and Mobile Device Security | - The candidate will understand the risks and impacts of data loss, how to prevent it, and the security considerations. |
| Defense in Depth | - The candidate will understand what defense in depth is and an identify the key areas of security and demonstrate the different strategies for implementing effective security within an organization. |
| Defensible Network Architecture | - The candidate will demonstrate how to architect a network to be monitored and controlled to resist intrusion. |
| Endpoint Security | - The candidate will demonstrate a basic understanding of the function and uses of endpoint security devices, such as endpoint firewalls, HIDS, and HIPS |
| Enforcing Windows Security Policy | - The candidate will have a high-level understanding of the features of Group Policy and working with INF security templates |
| Incident Handling & Response | - The candidate will understand the concepts of incident handling and the processes pertaining to incident handling. |
| Linux Fundamentals | - The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the Linux operating system structure, vulnerabilities, and permissions. |
| Linux Security and Hardening | - The candidate will demonstrate an ability to gain visibility into a Linux system to be able to secure, audit, and harden the system. |
| Log Management & SIEM | - The candidate will demonstrate a high-level understanding of the importance of logging, the setup and configuration of logging, and log analysis with the assistance of SIEMs |
| Malicious Code & Exploit Mitigation | - The candidate will understand important attack methods and basic defensive strategies to mitigate those threats. |
| Network Security Devices | - The candidate will demonstrate a basic understanding of the function and uses of network security devices, such as, firewalls, NIDS, and NIPS |
| Networking & Protocols | - The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the properties and functions of network protocols and network protocol stacks. |
| Security Frameworks and CIS Controls | - The candidate will understand the purpose, implementation, and background of the CIS Critical Controls, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and the MITRE ATT&CK knowledge base. |
| Virtualization and Cloud Security | - The candidate will have a basic understanding of the risks of virtualization and cloud services and how to secure them. |
| Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing | - The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and relationship behind reconnaissance, resource protection, risks, threats, and vulnerabilities including preliminary abilities to create network maps and perform penetration testing techniques |
| Web Communication Security | - The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of web application security and common vulnerabilities including CGI, cookies, SSL and active content. |
| Windows Access Controls | - The candidate will understand how permissions are applied in the Windows NT File System, Shared Folders, Printers, Registry Keys, and Active Directory, and how Privileges are applied |
| Windows as a Service | - The candidate will understand how to manage updates for a network of Windows hosts. |
| Windows Automation, Auditing, and Forensics | - The candidate will be introduced to the techniques and technologies used to audit Windows hosts. |
| Windows Security Infrastructure | - The candidate will identify the differences between types of Windows OSes and how Windows manages groups and accounts, locally and with Active Directory and Group Policy |
| Windows Services and Microsoft Cloud | - The candidate will know how to take basic measures in securing Windows network services such as IPsec, IIS, and Remote Desktop Services and Microsoft Azure security features. |
| Wireless Network Security | - The candidate will have a basic understanding of the misconceptions and risks of wireless networks and how to secure them. |
To ensure success in GIAC GSEC certification exam, we recommend authorized training course, practice test and hands-on experience to prepare for GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) exam.