Key Takeaway:

GPEN Certification: Elevate your cybersecurity career with advanced penetration testing skills, remote work options, and salaries exceeding 100K USD.

Introduction:

Discover the impact of GPEN Certification—an elite credential propelling cybersecurity professionals into high-paying roles with sought-after expertise.

The GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) Certification, offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) entity, validates practitioners’ ability to conduct penetration tests using best practices. The exam covers comprehensive penetration test planning, scoping, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation, pivoting, and in-depth password attacks.

Passed by those adhering to the GIAC code of ethics, GPEN certifiers demonstrate skills in penetration testing, web application security, vulnerability assessment, social engineering, and more. The proctored exam, administered through Pearson Vue or computerized testing services, costs $1,699 and may change per GIAC’s discretion.

Job opportunities for GPEN-certified individuals include roles like security penetration testing engineer, operational technology cybersecurity technologist, senior penetration tester, and others. Job listings indicate over 100K USD salaries, with remote work possibilities. In the U.S., there were 817 job openings in GPEN-related roles, with top employers like Jacobs, CITI, Blackbaud, VMWare, and Guide house.

In conclusion, the GPEN Certification is valuable for showcasing high-level penetration testing skills, leading to lucrative careers and potential remote work opportunities, making it a worthwhile investment in your cybersecurity career.

Introduction Of GIAC GPEN

Why should you pursue GIAC GPEN Certification? GIAC offers practical tests that confirm its knowledge and skills. GIAC GPEN is specifically designed for security professionals who are responsible for networks and systems. Analysis to identify and correct vulnerabilities, including penetration testers, pattern runners, red and blue teams, defenders, researchers, and researchers. The GPEN tests a security officer’s understanding of an intrusive cyber attack. To pass the exam successfully, candidates must ensure that they have a minimum of intermediate skills. Practical knowledge in conducting and performing the examination, including comprehension.

Who Should Obtain The GIAC GPEN Certificate?

As a certification that demonstrates a practitioner’s knowledge of research-based processes and reporting, the GPEN certification is ideal for the following professionals:

• Penetration testers (or ethical hackers) are cybersecurity professionals responsible for testing an organization’s networks and systems to find vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious attackers.
• The members of the Red Team are cybersecurity experts who test the actions of a real attacker to test the team’s defenses.
• Blue-Team members are cybersecurity professionals who work to protect an organization’s networks and systems from real-world attacks.
• Defenders, auditors, and security experts are also cybersecurity professionals who work to protect corporate networks and systems.

The GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification) GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester) exam is designed to assess the skills and knowledge of professionals who specialize in penetration testing and ethical hacking. Achieving the GPEN certification offers several benefits:

1. Recognition of Expertise:
   • GPEN certification is widely recognized in the cybersecurity industry as a validation of an individual’s expertise in penetration testing.
2. Industry Credibility:
   • GIAC certifications, including GPEN, are well-regarded for their rigorous examination process, ensuring that certified professionals meet high standards of competency.
3. Advanced Penetration Testing Skills:
   • GPEN focuses on advanced penetration testing techniques, providing certified individuals with in-depth knowledge of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems.
4. Real-World Application:
   • The GPEN exam emphasizes practical, hands-on skills, ensuring that certified professionals can apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios commonly encountered in the field.
5. Ethical Hacking Proficiency:
   • GPEN certification demonstrates proficiency in ethical hacking practices, including the ability to conduct penetration tests ethically and responsibly.
6. Enhanced Security Posture:
   • Certified GPEN professionals contribute to enhancing the overall security posture of organizations by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
7. Career Advancement:
   • GPEN is recognized by employers as a valuable credential for roles such as penetration tester, ethical hacker, security consultant, and other positions within the cybersecurity field.
8. Global Recognition:
   • GIAC certifications are globally recognized, providing certified professionals with opportunities for career growth and mobility on an international scale.
9. Continuous Learning and Updates:
   • Maintaining GPEN certification requires ongoing professional development, ensuring that certified individuals stay current with the latest tools, techniques, and trends in penetration testing.
10. Access to GIAC Community:
    • Certified GPEN professionals gain access to the GIAC community, where they can engage with other cybersecurity experts, share insights, and stay informed about industry developments.
11. Demonstrated Commitment to Excellence:
    • Achieving GPEN certification demonstrates an individual’s commitment to excellence and a dedication to mastering the skills necessary for effective penetration testing.
12. Validation of Skills for Employers:
    • For employers, GPEN certification serves as a reliable indicator of a candidate’s ability to perform penetration testing tasks and contribute to an organization’s cybersecurity efforts.

How Does The GIAC GPEN Certification Work?

To obtain GPEN certification, users must pass the GIAC GPEN exam. The test provided contains the following details:

1. Duration of 3 hours.
2. 115 multiple-choice questions.
3. A minimum pass score of 74%.

The GIAC GPEN exam tests a candidate’s ability to complete acceptance testing by applying techniques and understanding both the non-technical and technical aspects of acceptance testing. To stay ahead of the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape, GPEN certification requires holders to renew their certification after four years.

What Is The Purpose Of The GIAC GPEN?

The GPEN Candidate Handbook contains 16 Outcome Statements, which contain the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) that GIAC deems necessary for a certified GPEN practitioner.

Here are the 16 results:

Advanced Password Attacks:

The attacker can use other methods to attack and determine password hashes.

Password Hash Attack:

The attacker can obtain and crack password hashes.

Azure Applications and Attack Strategies:

The candidate must have an understanding of Azure applications and attacks against them, ie. sign-in environments and single sign-on and Azure AD authentication systems.

Azure Monitoring, AD Attacks, and Integration:

The candidate will provide insights into Azure Active Directory (AD) personnel, Azure AD attacks, and Azure audit processes.

Domain Attacks and Assertion:

The candidate demonstrates an understanding of Windows escalation attacks and Kerberos attack techniques designed to support and manage administrative access to AD.

Development and Operation:

The candidate should be able to demonstrate basic concepts of operation, retrieve data on compromised hosts, and operate other hosts within the target network.

Fundamentals of Exploitation:

Candidate must be able to demonstrate key concepts related to the pertest exploitation process.

Kerberos Attacks:

Candidate must have an understanding of AD attacks, including Kerberos attacks.

Metasploit:

The candidate can use and configure the Metasploit Framework at an intermediate level.

Move Files By Brute Force:

An attacker can use brute force to move files between remote systems.

Password Attacks:

The candidate should understand the types of password attacks, techniques, security and situations in which each type of password attack should be used. The candidate must be able to guess the password.

Password Types and Hashes:

The candidate must demonstrate an understanding of password hashes and password data storage techniques.

Penetration Testing Strategy:

Candidate can demonstrate basic concepts of penetration testing and use a testing and reporting-based approach.

PowerShell and Windows Command-Line Testing:

The candidate should have an understanding of using advanced Windows command-line skills during installation testing and an understanding of using advanced Windows PowerShell skills during placement testing.

Research:

The candidate understands basic research concepts and how to obtain advanced information about organizations and target networks, often considered information leaks, including but not limited to technical and non-technical social contact, IP address level, document type, and support. system.

Audit and Compliance Investigations:

Candidate can use appropriate methods to analyze the network for potential targets, perform port, operating system, and service type analysis, and analyze the results.

Vulnerability Analysis:

The candidate can perform vulnerability analyses and analyze their results.

How Good Is GIAC GPEN As An Acceptance Testing Certificate?

The GPEN certification is considered a high-level certification and is one of the most respected compliance testing certifications in the industry. This certificate is recognized for its extensive knowledge that enables holders to assist with professional acceptance testing services from day one.

What Are The Requirements To Maintain GIAC GPEN Certification?

GIAC certification as a GPEN is valid for four years. Thereafter, GPEN-accredited professionals must recertify or complete a minimum of 36 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses within four years to maintain their GPEN certification. GPEN holders must submit their information and documents to the CPE before the expiration date and allow for a processing time of 30 days.

What Is The Best Way To Prepare For GIAC GPEN Certification?

There are several ways to prepare for the GPEN certification exam, including the following:

• Completion of InfoSec Institute’s GPEN certification course boot camp.
• Self-study on GPEN topics using books, exam reviews, and more.
• Use websites like Dumpsarena to test your test readiness.
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Conclusion

The GIAC Penetration Tester certification requires a hands-on process and is one of the most sought-after cybersecurity certifications. Applicants will have access to those who demonstrate their ability to conduct pen testing on a variety of resources.

Obtaining and maintaining a GPEN or other pertest certification will help you demonstrate your technical skills and demonstrate your use of cutting-edge technology.