As an information security professional, you must know that the field is constantly evolving. This means you need to stay ahead of the curve to succeed. The GIAC GCIA certification is a great place to start.
In this post, we are going to take a look at the top 10 reasons why the GCIA certification can help you build a successful career.
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 duration for the GCIA certification exam is four hours. 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
Why should you earn the GCIA certification?
Earning the GIAC GCIA certification is one of the most important choices you can make in your cybersecurity career. The GCIA certification demonstrates that you have a deep understanding of intrusion detection and analysis, which is essential for many cybersecurity roles.
Take a quick look at the best reasons to earn the GIAC GCIA certification:
Reason #1: Demonstrates your intrusion analysis expertise
Earning the GCIA certification demonstrates a deep understanding of intrusion detection and analysis. This expertise is important in various cybersecurity roles, from threat intelligence analyst to incident responder.
Reason #2: Improves your career opportunities
The GCIA certification can help you bring yourself to the first spot when applying for cybersecurity job positions. Many organizations around the world prefer candidates with the GCIA certification.
Reason #3: Increases your earning potential
According to Payscale, the average salary for a cybersecurity analyst with the GIAC GCIA certification is $88,000 annually. This number can be different if you're applying to a well-known company. However, earning the GCIA certification increases your earning potential.
Reason #4: Provides hands-on experience
Applicants must demonstrate their skills in real-world scenarios to earn the GCIA certification. The skills and knowledge you will learn through the training program can help you land a high-paying job.
Reason #5: Helps you stay familiar
The GCIA certification requires candidates to stay familiar with new developments in the industry, helping them keep their knowledge updated. You can be the smartest and most confident candidate in the room with the latest updates.
Reason #6: Builds your network
Getting the GCIA certification can help you grow your circle of professional contacts by introducing you to other tech-savvy professionals who hold the same certification. This can be really helpful in finding reference-based jobs and seeking guidance if you get stuck.
Reason #7: Shows your dedication
The GCIA certification shows you're serious about your role and have been through a challenging training program. Also, it shows that you have invested a lot of time and money to obtain the certification, increasing your credibility.
Reason #8: Enhances your professional reputation
There's no doubt that holding the GIAC GCIA certification can boost your career. It shows that you can handle complex cybersecurity challenges with your deep understanding of intrusion detection and analysis.
Reason #9: Provides a clear path for career advancement
With the GCIA certification, you'll have a clear path to career advancement. By taking it, you can develop the skills and knowledge you need to advance.
Reason #10: Boosts your confidence
Achieving GCIA certification can be a considerable accomplishment and boost your confidence. Having a sense of pride and accomplishment can make you feel more confident.
What are the career opportunities with GCIA certification?
With a GCIA certification, you can pursue a variety of cybersecurity careers. The following are some of the roles you may qualify for:
- Practitioners responsible for intrusion detection
- System analysts
- Security analysts
- Network engineers
- Network administrators
- Hands-on security managers
How much do they earn?
The GCIA certification can also improve your salary potential. According to Payscale, the average salary for a cybersecurity analyst with a GCIA certification is $88,000 per year.
Here's the average salary breakdown:
- System analysts - $80468 per year (according to Indeed)
- Security analysts - $92478 per year (according to Indeed)
- Network engineers - $81,816 per year (according to Glassdoor)
- Network Administrators - $74278 per year (according to Indeed)
- Security managers - $131,224 and $161,396 per year (according to Salary dot com)
Conclusion
Earning the GIAC GCIA certification is a worthwhile decision you will make. The GCIA certification can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your earning potential.
If you're interested in cybersecurity, consider earning the GCIA certification, for sure. If you need help passing the GCIA exam on your first attempt, contact us by clicking the WhatsApp or Telegram chat button below.
