Certification
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
GIAC
Median earnings
—
Cost
—
Duration
—
Completion
—
The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification validates a practitioner's knowledge of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts. GSEC certification holders are demonstrating that they are qualified for hands-on IT systems roles with respect to security tasks.
hybridProgram details →
Skills taught
Understand the fundamental theory of access control and the role of passwords in access control managementUnderstand how to secure containers and security features provided in MacOSUnderstand the concepts of cryptography including major types of cryptosystems, mathematical concepts, and commonly used symmetric, asymmetric, and hashing cryptosystemsUnderstand the use, functionality, and operation of VPNs, GPG, and PKIUnderstand the risks and impacts of data loss, how to prevent it, and security considerations of mobile devicesUnderstand defense in depth, identify key areas of security, and implement effective security strategies within an organizationArchitect a network to be monitored and controlled to resist intrusionUnderstand the function and uses of endpoint security devices such as endpoint firewalls, HIDS, and HIPSUnderstand the features of Group Policy and working with INF security templatesUnderstand the concepts and processes associated with incident handlingUnderstand the Linux operating system structure, vulnerabilities, and permissionsGain visibility into a Linux system to secure, audit, and harden the systemUnderstand logging importance, configuration, and SIEM-assisted analysisUnderstand attack methods and basic defensive strategies to mitigate malicious software threats and exploitationsUnderstand the function and uses of network security devices such as firewalls, NIDS, and NIPSUnderstand the properties and functions of network protocols and network protocol stacksUnderstand the purpose, implementation, and background of CIS Critical Controls, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and MITRE ATT&CKUnderstand concepts of virtualization, cloud architectures, and AI fundamentalsUnderstand the concepts and relationships of reconnaissance, resource protection, risks, threats, vulnerabilities, network mapping, and penetration testing techniquesUnderstand web application security and common vulnerabilities including cookies, SSL, and access controlUnderstand how permissions are applied in Windows NT File System, Shared Folders, Printers, Registry Keys, and Active Directory and how privileges are appliedUnderstand how to manage updates for a network of Windows hostsUnderstand techniques and technologies used to audit Windows hosts and perform simple PowerShell scriptingIdentify differences between types of Windows operating systems and how Windows manages groups and accounts locally and with Active Directory and Group PolicyUnderstand how to secure Windows network services such as IPsec, IIS, and Remote Desktop Services and Microsoft Azure security featuresUnderstand the configuration and risks of wireless networks and how to secure them