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GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)
Description
GIAC Systems and Network Auditors (GSNAs) have the knowledge, skills and abilities to apply basic risk analysis techniques and to conduct a technical audit of essential information systems.
Target
Technical staff responsible for securing and auditing information systems; auditors who wish to demonstrate technical knowledge of the systems they are responsible for auditing.
Course
Preparing for the GSNA Exam: Candidates may choose to prepare for the GSNA exam by taking the SANS Training Course: AUD507: Auditing Networks, Perimeters, and Systems
*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
- 115 questions
- Time limit of 3 hours
- Minimum Passing Score of 70%
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 GSNA exam has been determined to be 70% for all candidates receiving access to their certification attempts on or after December 20th, 2012. 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
Certifications must be renewed every 4 years. Click here for details.
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. Certification attempt 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
- Certified Professionals (GSNA)
- Recertification
- Exam Feedback Procedure
- Grievance Procedure
- Proctored exam procedure
- SANS Information Security Reading Room
Bulletin (Part 2 of Candidate Handbook)
Exam Certification Objectives & Outcome Statements
The topic areas for each exam part follow:
- Audit Methodology and Risk Management
- The candidate will demonstrate familiarity with the audit process, baselines, time based security concepts, and how risk assessment are used to identify and specify controls.
- Auditing Concepts
- The candidate will demonstrate knowledge of basic auditing terms and concepts.
- Auditing Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit Firewall, Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention systems, including architecture reviews, configurations, and testing ACLs and rulesets.
- Auditing Network Services and Critical Systems
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit common network services including: Wireless infrastructure, Virtualized services, VoIP, Mail systems, DNS, and remote access services
- Auditing Networking Devices
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit network device configurations and access controls, including routers and switches.
- Auditing Unix Access and Permissions
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit Unix access controls, including user accounts, groups, passwords, log files, and permissions.
- Auditing Unix Services and System Information
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit Unix systems using common techniques, tools and scripting commands to determine process information and system configurations.
- Auditing Web Applications
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit web application authentication, session management, in transit data security, and data at rest controls for vulnerabilities to common attacks (including SQL injection, XSS, CSRF).
- Auditing Windows Access and Permissions
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit Windows access controls, including user accounts, groups, passwords, log files, and permissions.
- Auditing Windows Services and System Information
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to audit Windows systems using common techniques, tools and scripting commands to determine process information and system configurations.
- Vulnerability Assessment
- The candidate will demonstrate the ability to conduct a vulnerability assessment using common tools and methods.
- Web Application Overview and Web Server Security
- The candidate will demonstrate understanding of web application protocols (including HTTP and HTML) as well as the ability to audit web server configurations using manual and tool-based techniques
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.
