GIAC Exam Challenge is for subject matter experts to achieve GIAC Certification status without any of the associated SANS training packages. When you register for a Challenge Certification, you will receive access to two practice tests and the certification exam only. Registrations for STAR challenges do not include practice tests.
You can currently challenge a number of Certifications and STARs. Below is a complete listing.
GIAC Challenge Certification applications are subject to approval and this may cause a slight delay in availability of the product. You will be asked to summarize your security related work experience and network security training when you register.
Not all GIAC certifications are available to take via the Challenge program. Once our quality assurance process is complete, the certification may be made available for open registration to anyone who wishes to attempt it as a Challenge Certification. If you are looking to challenge a certification and it's not listed on this page, please check back in the future for new additions to the Challenge program.
Registering for Challenge Certification
To register for a Challenge attempt, complete the online registration form. The Challenge registration fee for GIAC Certifications is $899 USD, and the fee for GIAC STARs assessments is $125 USD. There is a SANS alumni rate for anyone who has previously taken the specific SANS training course associated with the certification or STAR they want to challenge. For example, if you previously took SANS Security Essentials through any of the SANS training venues, you would be eligible for the discounted fee for the GSEC Challenge. The alumni rate for full certifications is $749 USD. The alumni rate for STAR is $75 USD.
Please email info@giac.org to receive the appropriate discount code.
Thanks again to SANS. You have helped me fast track my career with all the knowledge and experience I have gained from training and GIAC certifications. After four years of hounding students to develop secure environments, I can now get to work on some major security projects myself. As always, keep up the great work. I look forward to continuing my training, and continuing to be a part of the SANS organization, through LMP, conference attendance and volunteering, and many other ways!
- Christopher Rowe