GIAC Proctor Policy

Effective December 1, 2007, all GIAC exams corresponding to new certification attempts and new recertification attempts are required to be proctored. The cost of new GIAC certification attempts associated with SANS training is $499. Challenge certification pricing remains at $899, and recertification attempts at $325. For full details please click here.

With the move to full proctoring there have been some changes to the exam format and open book policy as set forth below.

One exam format – All GIAC certification attempts purchased after December 1st, 2007 will be comprised of a single exam that will cover all the certification objectives. This new exam format is four or five hours in length, depending on the specific certification.

Open book policy – GIAC certification exams are open book format, but not open internet or open computer. Candidates will be allowed to bring one back pack or briefcase of course books, reference material, printed notes, printed spreadsheets, etc., but no electronic devices such as extra computers, CD-ROM or USB flash drives. Candidates will not be able to access anything stored electronically during the exam. We recommend that you print any study guide materials and bring them as hard, paper copies. Proctored exam locations do have some space limitations, requiring the need to limit the volume of reference material allowed to a reasonable level.

The primary method for taking a proctored exam is through our testing partner KRYTERION. KRYTERION has nearly complete coverage in the USA and many testing centers throughout the world, and it is expected that any candidate within a reasonable driving distance from a KRYTERION center utilize this option. KRYTERION is also adding GIAC testing sites as coverage gaps are identified. Please click here to find a KRYTERION testing center near you. The list of KRYTERION sites is updated frequently.

Once you have registered for and gained access to your GIAC certification, GIAC offers a number of different proctor options, including:

GIAC Proctored Exams through KRYTERION Test Sites (PREFERRED)
Take the exam at a SANS event which offers proctoring services. Please note that you cannot sit for a GIAC exam immediately following the corresponding SANS training course. Only pre-existing GIAC exam attempts are eligible to be taken at a SANS event.
Take the exam using your organization's Human Resources representative
Take the exam at a local accredited college or university
Take the exam with a GIAC Advisory Board member serving as your proctor
A GIAC or SANS staff member, Instructor or Local Mentor may act as a proctor
Department of Defense employees may be able to use their local Education and Training Office personnel as proctors.

For full details on each of these options, please visit the GIAC Proctor Program page.

Proctor Responsibilities

Potential proctor candidates must first sign up for a free SANS portal account, as all GIAC proctor roles are administered through the portal. To sign up for a portal account go to portal.sans.org/register.php. The potential proctor must then fill out and agree to comply with the GIAC Proctor Code of Ethics agreement, provide proof of identity (through public notarization services) and fax the form to GIAC, at the number provided on the form. Once the proctor has been approved, the new proctor will be contacted with instructions on creating a unique proctor password through the SANS portal. This proctor password is what will be used to unlock a student's exam.

The responsibilities of a GIAC proctor include verifying the student's identity by checking the student's valid picture ID and enforcing the guidelines described below in a controlled testing environment.

Click here for a copy of the GIAC Proctor Code of Ethics agreement form.

The proctor will abide by the GIAC code of ethics posted at www.giac.org/overview/ethics.php.
The proctor will verify two valid forms of identification (at least one with a photo) for every candidate.
The proctor will ensure the candidate does not use a cell phone, telephone, calculator, camera, or any electronic devices as reference material during the exam.
The proctor will ensure that the computer used to administer the online exam is only used to access the GIAC exam engine.
The proctor will verify that the candidate has only one web browser open during the exam, and that browser is exclusively pointed at the GIAC exam engine.
The proctor will verify that the candidate does not perform prohibited activities during the exam including: tabbed browsing, internet searches, copying exam questions to a local computer, instant messaging, and no use of other electronic reference materials (including PDFs).
The proctor will allow the candidate to use no more than one standard size book bag of reference books during the exam. These references can include SANS course material, personal notes (including courseware indexes), other books and magazines.
The proctor will report any attempt by the candidate to circumvent these guidelines to GIAC immediately.