Overview
GIAC Gold status is designed for the GIAC-certified professional that wants to stand out from the pack. It assures that a certified professional understands and can communicate the knowledge and skills necessary in key areas of information security. The most important characteristic a manager looks for from an employee after technical ability to do the job is the ability to communicate well. GIAC Gold is your chance to shine and demonstrate not only your technical knowledge, but also your ability to write clearly. Successfully completing a Gold paper results in the author being published in the SANS Reading Room.
The GIAC Gold program is distinguished from the baseline GIAC certification by requiring candidates to complete a technical report covering an important area of security related to the certification the student is seeking. Only after completing the GIAC certification requirement will the option to pursue GIAC Gold status become available. Those pursuing GIAC Gold status will work closely with an advisor through the process of developing their technical report. Once complete, the technical report will be approved by the advisor for acceptance into the SANS Reading Room.
Applying
Once GIAC certification status has been earned, an option to apply for GIAC Gold will appear in the Certification History section of your GIAC Exam Engine. Maintenance of the GIAC certification status is required while working on the paper, so if your certification status is up for recertification while you are working on earning GIAC Gold status, you must complete the recertification attempt before your Gold paper can be accepted. The cost of GIAC Gold is $299US.
To apply, please log into the portal account in which you completed your GIAC certification. Click on the "Certification History" link. Click on the "Go Gold" link for the respective certification. The application form in the Portal account must be completed. The more initial information that is provided on the proposed topic of your Gold paper, the more likely it is that it will be accepted right away. Your certification will be reviewed in 1-2 weeks, at which point you will be assigned an advisor. You will have to pay the $299 fee once the application has been approved. Once that has been completed, you will be contacted by a GIAC Gold Adviser within 5 business days to begin setting the path to completion. In case your application is rejected, you will be able to submit a revised application.
Process
GIAC Gold papers must be completed within 6 months of acceptance of the concept and receipt of payment. An advisor will be assigned to you, and will be available to help you throughout the entire process. Plan to start with a detailed outline and abstract within the first few days of the process. A final concept, which should include a title, abstract and high level outline should be submitted within 10 days after the initial concept was accepted. A final draft of the paper should be submitted no later than 5 month into the process.
By the end of the 6 months,the final draft of the Gold paper must be submitted to the advisor for official GIAC review. The paper must also be reviewed and endorsed by a second advisor before Gold status can be granted. Once the paper has been endorsed, it will be published in the SANS Reading Room with the author's name as well as the advisor's name.
A one time only, 3 month extension can be granted if it is supported by your advisor. The cost for this extension is $199. Failure occurs if the paper does not reach an appropriate level of quality within the time allotted.
Advisors
GIAC Gold Advisors are drawn from experts in the field and the top performing certified individuals for a given certification. Each advisor has a proven track record in ability, interest, and participation in the security community.
Why would anyone want to serve as a Gold program advisor? Well, there are several reasons:
- Advisors do get paid for their work as their time and input is invaluable to GIAC, the GIAC Gold candidate, and the security community.
- Advisors play a significant role in the direction of continued research in their field.
- Being an adviser is a great way to stay up on the latest changes in your field.
- GIAC is the prominent worldwide information security certification and the GIAC Gold program advisors help us to maintain that path. They are the backbone to the program and a huge pillar supporting the defensive information community.
If you're interested in becoming a GIAC Gold Adviser, you may apply to be an adviser here.
Grievance Procedures
If a Gold program applicant or advisor would like to report a problem with a process or person, the following procedures should be followed.
- Send an email to ombudsman@giac.org with as much information and documentation of the situation as possible. Applicants should include their full name, registered email address, Portal ID, advisor's name, and any other contact information appropriate.
- The GIAC Ombudsman will contact the plaintiff to confirm the complaint has been received within five days.
- The GIAC ombudsman will then review the situation as documented, and contact all applicable parties to discuss the problem.
- Within 15 days, the GIAC ombudsman will compile the information and present it by e-mail to the SANS Chief Research Officer along with recommendations on how to remedy the situation in a fair manner.
- The Chief Research Officer will send the student or advisor an e-mail response within 15 days with an explanation of the reasons for his decision. The decision of the Chief Research Officer will stand as final.
- In the event that the Ombudsman or Chief Research Officer are not reasonably available to make a decision within the above timelines, then the Deputy Director shall perform the function of the Ombudsman or Chief Research Officer as applicable.
