The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is setting a new benchmark in the cybersecurity industry with the introduction of the GIAC Experienced Penetration Tester (GX-PT) Certification.
BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 20, 2023 - The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is setting a new benchmark in the cybersecurity industry with the introduction of the GIAC Experienced Penetration Tester (GX-PT) Certification. This certification is designed for security professionals who are ready to prove their advanced skills in red and purple team operations. It validates their profound expertise in conducting comprehensive penetration tests across diverse environments under stringent conditions.
"This certification is a rigorous gauntlet that tests a professional's capacity to operate effectively in high-stakes environments," said Ed Skoudis, founder of the SANS Penetration Testing Curriculum and SANS Technology Institute President. "It's designed not only to challenge but also to reflect the evolving complexity of cyber threats and the innovative tactics needed to combat them."
"This certification is a rigorous gauntlet that tests a professional's capacity to operate effectively in high-stakes environments," said Ed Skoudis, founder of the SANS Penetration Testing Curriculum and SANS Technology Institute President.
The GX-PT Certification encompasses a wide array of competencies including environment reconnaissance, network and vulnerability scanning, password attacks, and exploitation techniques. Candidates will demonstrate their proficiency in privilege escalation, command and control (C2) strategies, and orchestrating Active Directory attacks. Mastery of both Linux and Windows penetration testing tools is also a critical component of the certification, ensuring that practitioners are well-versed in the latest methodologies and technologies.
The GX-PT stands out with its unique focus on practical, real-world challenges. It features a rigorous exam format with 100% CyberLive questions, pushing candidates to apply their expertise in complex scenarios akin to real-world cybersecurity threats. As described by Andy Patrick, Information Security Engineer at GIAC, "The GX-PT exam is the most challenging hands-on cybersecurity certification exam I've ever seen. It's akin to the best Capture the Flag challenges, offering a rare sense of accomplishment and mastery."
In addition, GPEN-certified individuals who have honed their penetration testing abilities through practical experience will find the GX-PT a natural progression in their certification journey. This certification is also tailored for offensive operations professionals who aspire to solidify their status as experts in the field.
The introduction of the GX-PT Certification marks a significant milestone for GIAC and the SANS Institute, reinforcing their dedication to the advancement of cybersecurity expertise. With its comprehensive coverage of critical cybersecurity domains and its demanding, real-world-oriented examination, the GX-PT sets a new standard for what it means to be an elite penetration tester. It is an essential credential for professionals seeking to validate their skills, enhance their career prospects, and gain recognition for their ability to tackle the most challenging cybersecurity issues of our time. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the GX-PT stands as a symbol of excellence and a testament to the commitment of GIAC and the SANS Institute to foster a generation of security professionals equipped to protect and secure our digital world against emerging threats.
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About the SANS Institute
The SANS Institute was founded in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. SANS is the most trusted and largest provider of cybersecurity training and certification for professionals in government and commercial organizations worldwide. SANS' renowned instructors teach over 60 different courses in the classroom and virtually during live cybersecurity training events. They are also all available anytime via the OnDemand platform. GIAC, a subsidiary of the SANS Institute, validates credentials with more than 35 hands-on, technical certifications in cybersecurity. SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited, independent affiliate, offers master's degrees in cybersecurity. SANSSecurity Awareness, a division of the SANS Institute, provides organizations with a complete and comprehensive security awareness solution that enables them to easily and effectively manage their "human" cyber security risk. SANS provides a variety of free resources to the InfoSec community, including consensus projects, research reports and newsletters; it also operates the Internet Early Warning System, the Internet Storm Center. At the heart of SANS are the many security experts, representing diverse global organizations from corporations to universities, working together to help the entire information security community: https://www.sans.org