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Software SecurityGIAC Certified Forensic Analyst
GCFA
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Target
The GCFA certification is for professionals working in the information security, computer forensics, and incident response fields. The certification focuses on core skills required to collect and analyze data from Windows and Linux computer systems.
The GCFA certifies that candidates have the knowledge, skills, and ability to conduct formal incident investigations and handle advanced incident handling scenarios, including internal and external data breach intrusions, advanced persistent threats, anti-forensic techniques used by attackers, and complex digital forensic cases.
Course
FOR508: Advanced Computer Forensic Analysis and Incident Response
*No Specific training is required for any GIAC certification. If candidates need help in mastering the objectives for this certification, there are many sources of information available. Practical experience is one option; there are also numerous books on the market covering Computer Information Security. Another option is SANS training, or any relevant courses from other training providers.*
Requirements
- 1 proctored exam
- 150 questions
- Time limit of 4 hours
- Minimum Passing Score of 69.3% (104 out of 150 questions)
NOTE:
GIAC reserves the right to change the specifications for each certification without notice. Based on a scientific passing point study, the passing point for the passing point for the GCFA exam has been determined to be 69.3% for all candidates receiving access to their certification attempts on or after 06/25/2009. To verify the format of your current certification attempt, please read the Certification Information found in your portal account at https://exams.giac.org/pages/attempts.
Renew
Every 4 years
Delivery
NOTE: GIAC exams are NOT given the day after the conference ends.
Exams are delivered online through a standard web browser. For exams purchased with SANS training, access to the exam will be available 7-10 days following the end of the conference. Standalone challenge exams are issued within 24 hours upon receipt of payment. You will receive an email from GIAC when your exam has been issued to your portal account. You have 120 days to complete the exam from the time we send notice that it is available. The exams are proctored and should be scheduled using our proctored exam procedure.
Links
- SANS Information Security Reading Room
- Certified Professionals (GCFA)
- Recertification
- Exam Feedback Procedure
- Grievance Procedure
Bulletin (Part 2 of Candidate Handbook)
The topic areas for each exam part follow:
| Exam Certification Objectives | Certification Objective Outcome Statement |
|---|---|
| Evidence Acquisition | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how to acquire, validate and mount evidence from physical media. |
| File System and Data Layer Examination | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how to analyze and recover evidence from the file system and data layer on major file systems. |
| File System Essentials | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the essential forensic concepts for file systems, including common metadata. |
| Forensic Documents | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of forensic documents and reports. |
| Forensic Investigation Methodology | The candidate will demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the forensic process and methodology. |
| Legal Fundamentals for Forensic Analysts | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental legal issues surrounding investigations and evidence. |
| Metadata and Filename Layer Examinations | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how to analyze and recover evidence from the metadata and file name layers on major file systems. |
| OS Filesystem Structure | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of OS specific filesystem structures |
| Other Forensic Methods | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of other common forensic techniques including file sorting, hash comparison, file headers and footers, string searches etc. |
| Timeline Analysis | The candidate will demonstrate and understanding of creating and analyzing a timeline using the file system, registry, metadata or other available means. |
| Volatile Evidence Acquisition and Analysis | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding what information is in memory as well as how to extract and analyze memory. |
| Windows Application Footprinting | The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how to analyze evidence of user activity as related to Windows operating system and application usage. |
Where to Get Help
Training is available from a variety of resources including on line, course attendance at a live conference, and self study.
Practical experience is another way to ensure that you have mastered the skills necessary for certification. Many professionals have the experience to meet the certification objectives identified.
Finally, college level courses or study through another program may meet the needs for mastery.
The procedure to contest exam results can be found at http://www.giac.org/about/procedures/grievance.
