Areas Covered
- Open Source Intelligence Methodologies
- OSINT Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
- Harvesting Data from the Dark Web
- Operational Security Fundamentals and Considerations
Who is GOSI for?
- Cyber Incident Responders
- Digital Forensics (DFIR) Analysts
- Security Analysts
- Penetration Testers
- Social Engineers
- Law Enforcement
- Intelligence Personnel
- Recruiters
- Private Investigators
- Insurance Investigators
- Human Resources Personnel
- Researchers
Exam Format
- 1 proctored exam
- 75 questions
- 2 hours
- Minimum passing score of 69%
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 GOSI exam has been determined to be 69% for all candidates receiving access to their certification attempts on or after June 17, 2023. To verify the format and passing point of your specific certification attempt, read the Certification Information found in your account at https://exams.giac.org/pages/attempts.
Delivery
NOTE: All GIAC Certification exams are web-based and required to be proctored. There are two proctoring options: remote proctoring through ProctorU, and onsite proctoring through PearsonVUE. Click here for more information.
GIAC certification attempts will be activated in your GIAC account after your application has been approved and according to the terms of your purchase. Details on delivery will be provided along with your registration confirmation upon payment. You will receive an email notification when your certification attempt has been activated in your account. You will have 120 days from the date of activation to complete your certification attempt.
Exam Certification Objectives & Outcome Statements
- Investigating Businesses The candidate will be able to collect, analyze, and report on information specific to a chosen organization using publicly available data and breach data to identify and mitigate risk to the organization.
- Investigating People The candidate will be able to collect, analyze, and report on personally identifiable information of individuals using publicly available data and social media platforms.
- Network Data and Infrastructure Analysis The candidate will be able to discover and analyze publicly available information about domains, IP addresses, certificates, and networks.
- OSINT Methodology The candidate will demonstrate a familiarity with the common goals and application of Open Source Intelligence and display an understanding of the requirements to execute a fact-based investigation process supported by detailed documentation.
- Privacy and Operational Security Fundamentals The candidate will demonstrate an ability to identify confidentiality and integrity risks while performing OSINT investigations and implement operational security best practices to minimize exposure and vulnerability.
- Searching, Collecting, and Processing Data The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how to use search engines and simple automation to collect, process, and analyze data and metadata of varying sizes and formats.
Other Resources
- Training is available in a variety of modalities including live training and OnDemand
- Practical work experience can help ensure that you have mastered the skills necessary for certification.
- College level courses or self paced study through another program or materials may meet the needs for mastery.
- Get information about the procedure to contest exam results.
Practice Tests
- These tests are a simulation of the real exam allowing you to become familiar with the test engine and style of questions.
- Practice exams are a gauge to determine if your preparation methods are sufficient.
- The practice bank questions are limited so you may encounter the same question on practice tests when multiple practice tests are purchased.
- Practice exams never include actual exam questions.
- Purchase a GOSI practice test here.
- GIAC recommends leveraging additional study methods for test preparation.
