GIAC Information Security Professional Certification (GISP)
Offer a pragmatic alternative to CISSP, signaling broad security domain fluency validated by a respected provider.
The GIAC Information Security Professional (GISP) certification validates a practitioner's understanding of the eight domains of cybersecurity knowledge, as determined by ISC2, that form a critical part of the CISSP® exam. GISP certification holders have demonstrated expertise in security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management (IAM), security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.
Areas Covered
- Security and Risk Management
- Asset Security
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Communication and Network Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Assessment and Testing
- Security Operations
- Software Development Security
Who is GISP for?
- Security professionals who want to understand the concepts covered in the CISSP® exam as determined by ISC2
- System administrators
- Security administrators
- Network administrators
- Security managers
Exam Format
- 1 proctored exam
- 4 hours
- Minimum passing score of 70%
- 150 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 GISP exam at 70% for all candidates who receive the exam version released on or after August 1, 2006.
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
- Asset SecurityThe candidate will demonstrate an understanding of asset management and classification, including access controls, handling and retention requirements.
- Communication and Network SecurityThe candidate will demonstrate an understanding of network security, including secure architecture, network protocols, security controls and devices, and common network attacks.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of identity management concepts and controls including AAA, passwords, tokens, biometrics, federation, and common threats.
- Security and Risk ManagementThe candidate will demonstrate and understanding of security risk management and business continuity practices, including legal and regulatory compliance, security policies, and governance principles.
- Security Architecture and EngineeringThe candidate will demonstrate an understanding of secure engineering architecture and implementation for systems in networked, web based, and mobile environments and mitigating common vulnerabilities.
- Security Assessment and TestingThe candidate will demonstrate the ability to design, perform, and analyze security tests
- Security OperationsThe candidate will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the managerial, administrative, operational aspects of information security.
- Software Development SecurityThe candidate will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key security principles related to secure application development.
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 can serve as a gauge to determine if your preparation methods are sufficient
- The bank of practice questions is limited, so you may encounter the same question on multiple practice tests
- Practice exams never include actual exam questions
- Purchase a GISP practice test here
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 other programs or materials may meet the needs for mastery
- Understand the procedure to contest exam results