Convey comprehensive command of wireless network security and expertise in effective analysis techniques.
The GIAC Assessing and Auditing Wireless Networks (GAWN) certification validates a technologist’s readiness to assess the security of wireless networks. GAWN certification holders have proven fluency in the techniques used to analyze wireless networks and their different security mechanisms, as well as expertise in the tools and techniques used to evaluate and exploit weaknesses. GAWN candidates understand how their tools operate and know the weaknesses in protocols they evaluate.
Areas Covered
- Attacking weak encryption, 802.11 fuzzing attacks, and Bluetooth attacks
- Bridging the air gap, DoS on wireless networks, high-frequency RFID attacks, and RFID applications
- Hotspots, low-frequency RFID attacks, NFC, practical SDR attacks, and rogue networks
- Sniffing wireless, wireless basics, wireless client attacks, and WPA
Who is GAWN for?
- Auditors
- Ethical hackers and penetration testers
- Network security staff
- Network and system administrators
- Incident response teams
- Information security consultants and policy decision-makers
- Technical auditors
- Wireless system engineers
- Embedded wireless system developers
Exam Format
- 1 proctored exam
- 2 hours
- Minimum passing score of 70%
- 75 questions
Note: GIAC periodically reviews and may update certification specifications to ensure fairness, validity, and reliability. Using a psychometric standard-setting study, GIAC has set the passing score for the GAWN exam at 70% for all candidates who receive the exam version released on or after August 14th, 2013.
To confirm the exam format and passing score that apply to your specific attempt, please refer to the Certification Information section of your GIAC account: https://exams.giac.org/pages/attempts.
Certification Delivery
GIAC certification attempts will be activated in your GIAC account after your application has been approved and according to the terms of your purchase. Details on delivery will be provided along with your registration confirmation upon payment. You will receive an email notification when your certification attempt has been activated in your account. You will have 120 days from the date of activation to complete your certification attempt.
NOTE: All GIAC Certification exams are web-based and required to be proctored. There are two proctoring options: remote proctoring through ProctorU, and onsite proctoring through PearsonVUE. Click here for more information.
Exam Certification Objectives & Outcome Statements
- 802.11 Fuzzing AttacksThe candidate will be able to perform basic fuzzing attacks.
- Attacking Weak EncryptionThe candidate will be familiar with weak encryption methods including WEP and how to attack and secure them.
- Bluetooth AttacksThe candidate will be familiar with the structure, uses and weaknesses of Bluetooth.
- Bluetooth Low Energy AttacksThe candidate will demonstrate understanding of how changes to Bluetooth Low Energy affect security, and methods to test, inspect, and audit Bluetooth Low Energy data in transit.
- Bridging the Air GapThe candidate will be able to use a compromised wireless system to further compromise a wired network.
- DoS on Wireless NetworksThe candidate will be able to perform and defend against common DoS attacks.
- High-Frequency RFID AttacksThe candidate will demonstrate understanding of RFID tracking techniques, and how to exploit mid to long-range RFID applications.
- HotspotsThe candidate will be familiar with the identification and auditing of hotspots.
- Low-Frequency RFID AttacksThe candidate will demonstrate understanding of short-range, Low Frequency (LF) RFID attacks, including impersonation and cloning of Low-Frequency RFID tags.
- NFCThe candidate will demonstrate understanding of Near Field Communications (NFC) and how it uses consistent data protocols to exchange data bidirectionally for uses in payment systems, and generic data transfers.
- Practical SDR AttacksThe candidate will be familiar with the common implementations of wireless protocols and how SDR projects can identify failures in the overall implementation of those protocols.
- Rogue NetworksThe candidate will understand how to identify and protect against rogue networks.
- Sniffing WirelessThe candidate will be capable of capturing wireless traffic.
- Wireless BasicsThe candidate will be familiar with common wireless threats as well as current wireless network standards.
- Wireless Client AttacksThe candidate will demonstrate understanding of wireless client vulnerabilities, including hotspot injection, weaknesses in wireless client segmentation or public secure packet forwarding, and the preferred network list on client systems.
- WPA VariantsThe candidate will be familiar with WPA Variants including how to attack and secure it.
- ZigbeeThe candidate will be familiar with Zigbee including how to attack and secure it.
Practice Tests
- Practice exams are a simulation of the real exam, allowing you to become familiar with the test engine and style of questions.
- Practice exams serve as a gauge to determine if your preparation methods are sufficient.
- The bank of practice bank questions is limited, so you may encounter the same question on multiple practice tests.
- Practice exams never include actual exam questions.
- Purchase a GAWN practice test here.
- GIAC recommends leveraging additional study methods for test preparation.
Other Resources
- Training is available in a variety of modalities including live training and OnDemand
- Practical work experience can help ensure that you have mastered the skills necessary for certification
- College level courses or self paced study through another program or materials may meet the needs for mastery.
- Understand the procedure to contest exam results.