Distinguish yourself as a forensic expert able to detect and interpret complex malicious actions with precision across enterprise systems.
The GIAC Experienced Forensics Analyst (GX-FA) certification validates that a practitioner is qualified for hands-on digital forensic and threat hunting roles. GX-FA certification holders are prepared to process, analyze, and interpret enterprise host-based forensics artifacts, and to conduct expert-level detection of threats and malicious activity.
Areas Covered
- Examination of Windows host file system artifacts
- Analysis for Windows system triage
- Analysis of Windows volatile evidence
- Analysis of Windows system and activity events
- Identification and detection in enterprise threat hunting
- Investigation of malicious threat actor activity in an enterprise environment
Who is GX-FA for?
- Forensic analysts and digital examiners
- Threat hunting specialists
- Practitioners with a strong desire to demonstrate superior hands-on capabilities and expand their professional portfolios
- GCFA certification holders who have gained additional experience
CyberLive: Real labs. Real tools. Real skills.
CyberLive is a hands-on exam format that replaces traditional multiple-choice testing with performance-based challenges in realistic lab environments to validate real-world capability.
Virtual Machines:
Full-scale lab systems that behave like physical computers: install, attack, defend, and run services.
Real Security Tools:
Exact tools used by professionals every day including all the quirks and challenges
Authentic Code:
Real code, real exploits, real impacts
Testimonial
“Testimonial
Among all the hands-on certificates I have pursued, GX-FA stands out as the best. The scenarios presented were both challenging and enjoyable, providing a realistic experience in the field of Digital Forensics and Incident Response.”
Exam Format
- 1 proctored exam
- Open book, open notes
- Time limit 4 hour
- 25 CyberLive - hands-on, real-world practical testing. CyberLive testing creates a lab environment where cyber practitioners prove their knowledge, understanding, and skill using:
- Actual programs
- Actual code
- Virtual machines
Find out more about CyberLive here.
NOTE: GIAC reserves the right to change the specifications for each certification without notice. To verify the format read the Certification Information found in your account at 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
- Analyzing Artifacts of Lateral MovementThe candidate will be able to recognize and analyze events created by malicious lateral movement.
- Examining Evidence of ExecutionThe candidate will be able to recognize and analyze evidence of programs, scripts and other files being launched from the review of Windows host artifacts.
- Examining Volatile EvidenceThe candidate will be able to analyze memory resident artifacts to identify both normal and malicious events.
- Examining Windows Event Log DataThe candidate will be able to use Windows event log data to provide analysis and identification of both normal and malicious events.
- Examining Windows File System ArtifactsThe candidate will be able to review Windows host artifacts to provide analysis of both normal and malicious activity.
- Identifying Evasion TechniquesThe candidate will be able to perform the tasks required to identify the use of commands or applications to remove or disguise evidence of malicious activity.
- Investigating Credential TheftThe candidate will demonstrate the ability to recognize and analyse artifacts created during the collection and compromise of host credentials.
- Investigating Persistence MechanismsThe candidate will be able to recognize and analyze configuration changes, script creation and use and progr am execution designed to allow malicious activity to survive, launch or restart based on the analysis of host based logs, system configurations and volatile data.
- Temporal Event AnalysisThe candidate will be able to review Windows host event data to provide analysis of both normal and malicious activity.
Demo Questions
- These questions allow a candidate to experience the exam style and complexity in the environment used during the certification exam.
- Demo questions are never included in the actual certification exam.
- The demo question set includes 3 questions, and the student has 45 minutes to complete. Note that the average time per question is not as fast paced as the actual exam attempt.
- Limited demo questions per exam are available so you will receive repetitive questions if multiple Demo Questions are purchased.
- Demo questions are nontransferable.
- Purchase GX-FA demo questions here.
Other Resources
- Affiliate Training - FOR508 (Primary fit course*), OR500, FOR509, FOR498, FOR572, FOR608, FOR610, SEC503, SEC504, SEC501
- Practical work experience can help ensure that you have mastered the skills necessary for certification.
- Get information about the procedure to contest exam results.
*Courses that include a "primary fit course" designation have the most closely aligned content but do not include all of the content, tools, and platforms that could be included in testing on the Applied Knowledge exam.