Information security has become a key priority for organizations of all sizes as they become more and more reliant on technology. For businesses all over the world, protecting sensitive data against hackers and breaches is essential. There is a significant demand for qualified experts to identify such threats and respond accordingly.
If you are hunting around different certifications to master the skills, the GIAC GCIA certification would be more appropriate. In this article, I'll discuss how GCIA certification can help you grow your career, what job paths may take, and why you should consider it.
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. The time you will get to complete the exam is only four hours. And 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
Who can take the GCIA certification?
- Practitioners responsible for intrusion detection
- System analysts
- Security analysts
- Network engineers
- Network administrators
- Hands-on security managers
How can GCIA certification help your career?
Increased job opportunities
After earning the job, one of the most important things is getting the desired job. And with the GIAC GCIA certification, it's obvious that you will get lucrative job opportunities within the industry. In fact, many of the big enterprises always seek well-versed professionals or have a certification in their hands. If we look into a report published by GIAC itself, it says that around 74% of human resourcing managers consider candidates with certification when making the hiring.
High salary potential
Another important thing to notice is how much you can make after earning the GIAC GCIA certification —because everyone works for money. PayScale says the average salary for a GCIA-certified professional in the United States is $102,000 per year. This number is significantly higher than the average salary for an information security analyst without certification.
Recognition and credibility
The GIAC GCIA certification is a globally-recognized and highly-regarded credential —and for a good reason. This certification shows that you have been through a challenging exam and invested a lot of time and effort to earn it. When it comes to potential employers and colleagues, the GCIA certification sets you apart from other candidates.
Career advancement
The GIAC GCIA certification helps you advance your career to a whole new level. The GCIA certification demonstrates your expertise in intrusion detection and incident response, critical skills in today's cybersecurity sphere. By earning your GCIA certification, you will be able to take on roles and responsibilities that are more complex and challenging at the same time.
Why should you consider GCIA certification?
Professionals needed in security
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand at the moment, and demand is expected to continue to grow in the coming years as well. Statistically, information security analysts will have a 33% increase in jobs from 2020 to 2030, which is a much faster rate of growth than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Be a step ahead
It is no secret that the field of information security is constantly evolving; cyberattacks and vulnerability threats are emerging on a daily basis. The GCIA certification teaches you the skills and knowledge you'll need in your job to conquer such threats.
Growth on both sides
There is nothing better than personal satisfaction. A GCIA certification is beneficial for your career and helps you expand your knowledge and skills personally and professionally. Having the GCIA certification shows that you have the in-demand knowledge and skills to excel in your field.
The bottom line
Being familiar with cybersecurity industry updates is very important for someone who has been in the field for some time. There is no doubt that GIAC GCIA certification can contribute significantly to your career development. The GIAC GCIA certification might be the key to unlocking new career opportunities if you want to enter the industry.
Moreover, if you want to take the GCIA certification exam, CBT Proxy can help you pass the exam on your very first attempt. To learn more about the exam and how to get started, click the chat button below, and one of our consultants will contact you accordingly.
