Cybersecurity has come a long way—and for some good reason—it is now one of the most in-demand career paths in the world. As a result, more and more professionals consider cybersecurity certifications to advance their careers.
The GIAC GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) certification is one of the leading network security certifications focusing on intrusion detection, network traffic analysis, and incident response. The certification also shows that you possess the knowledge and skills to detect and respond to security breaches, making you an in-demand information security professional.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll look at potential career paths for GCIA-certified professionals. Continue reading to find out more!
What is the GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) certification?
The GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) certification is a vendor-neutral credential that validates a practitioner's knowledge and skills in intrusion detection and analysis. The GIAC GCIA certification holders possess the skills to configure and monitor intrusion detection systems and read, interpret, and analyze network traffic and log files.
To earn the GIAC GCIA certification, you must pass a proctored exam covering various exam objectives such as network traffic analysis, signature creation, log analysis, and incident handling. The GIAC GCIA exam has 106 multiple-choice questions. There is a four-hour time limit for the GCIA certification exam. To pass the GCIA exam, you must score 67% or higher.
Here are the areas covered in the GCIA exam:
- Fundamentals of traffic analysis and application protocols
- Open-source IDS: Snort and Zeek
- Network traffic forensics and monitoring
Potential career paths with GCIA certification
System analysts
System analysts analyze, design, and implement computer systems to meet an organization's needs. Additionally, they secure systems and protect them from threats.
Security analysts
Security analysts monitor, detect, and respond to security incidents within an organization's network. Their job involves analyzing network traffic, identifying potential threats, and recommending appropriate security measures.
Network engineers
Network engineers design and implement computer networks for organizations. In addition, they ensure that networks are secure and protected from potential security threats.
Network administrators
Network administrators maintain and manage computer networks within an organization. As a result, they ensure reliability, security, and efficiency.
Security managers
Security managers manage the day-to-day operations of a cybersecurity program within an organization. Security analysts also oversee other cybersecurity professionals to ensure the organization's security posture remains strong.
SANS/GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) salary
According to PayScale, here is the earning potential of a GCIA-certified professional. Take a look:
Cybersecurity analyst - $90,137 Cybersecurity engineer - $125,167 Security engineer - $111,391 Security analyst - $76,211 Information security manager - $113,938 Information security analyst - $74,103 Information security engineer - $93,000
Conclusion
You can see from the above list that there are many possible career paths for professionals with the GIAC GCIA certification. There is a high demand for these roles in the current global market, which offers excellent career growth opportunities.
If you're interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career—especially in network and host monitoring, traffic analysis, and intrusion detection—earning the GIAC GCIA is an excellent first step.
If you want to take the GCIA certification and are looking for a proxy exam center, look no further! CBT Proxy is here to help you pass the exam on your first attempt. To learn more about the exam, click the chat button below, and one of our consultants will contact you.
