Demonstrate advanced detection and analysis experience, armed with the skills to unravel complex attack patterns and reduce mean time to detect.
The GIAC Experienced Intrusion Analyst (GX-IA) certification validates that a practitioner is qualified to solve the complex and unique challenges that Intrusion Analysts encounter. GX-IA certification holders are prepared to solve multi-step problems by leveraging an extensive array of concepts and methodologies to identify malicious activity.
Areas Covered
- Protocol analysis, evaluation of network capture files and application traffic
- Network forensics, analysis of artifacts and network traffic
- Intrusion analysis, use of core tools such as Wireshark, Scapy, and IDS-related tools
Who is GX-IA for?
- Intrusion detection and analysis experts
- Practitioners with a strong desire to demonstrate superior hands-on capabilities and expand their professional portfolios
- GCIA 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
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
- Advanced Analysis TechniquesThe candidate will demonstrate proficiency with core tools and programs e.g. decrypting TLS traffic with Wireshark, building and sending a packet with Scapy.
- Application Traffic AnalysisThe candidate will inspect common Application Layer protocols to demonstrate skill in analysis and correct conclusions.
- IDS Application and AnalysisThe candidate will use common IDS-related tools to analyze artifacts.
- Malicious Traffic AnalysisThe candidate will analyze malicious or suspicious network traffic using a variety of tools and approaches.
- Network ForensicsThe candidate will analyze artifacts and show skill in determining what took place within a certain incident or time-frame.
- Network Traffic AnalysisThe candidate will analyze typical and abnormal stimulus and response network traffic using a variety of tools and approaches.
- Protocol AnalysisThe candidate will evaluate network capture files to show proficiency in detail analysis with a focus on topics such as protocols, connections, ports, and sessions.
Demo Questions
- These 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-IA demo questions here.
Other Resources
- Affiliate Training - SEC503 (Primary fit course*), FOR572, SEC530, SEC450, SEC511 , SEC573
- 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.