Marine Corps COOL Snapshot - GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), Security Essentials (GSEC) is an intermediate level certification that verifies a practitioner's knowledge of information security beyond basic terminology and concepts. GSECs are qualified to perform security-related hands-on IT systems roles. There are no prerequisites for the GSEC certification. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

The following Marine Corps Enlisted MOSs provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:

Enlisted Occupation	Occupation Type	Related As	COOL$
0621 Transmissions System Operators	MOS	Other
0627 Satellite Transmissions System Operator	MOS	Other
0629 Transmissions Chief	MOS	Other
0631 Network Administrator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0639 Network Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0671 Data Systems Administrator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0679 Data Systems Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0681 Information Security Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
1711 Offensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
1721 Defensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
1799 Cyberspace Chief	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
2611 Cryptologic Cyberspace Analyst	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2621 Communications Intelligence / Electronic Warfare Operator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2629 Signals Intelligence/ Electronic Warfare/Cyberspace Operations Technician	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
2651 Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
2659 Intelligence Technology & Data Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
6694 Aviation Logistics Information Management System (ALIMS) Specialist	MOS	Most	COOL Bucks
Cyber IT/CSWF Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support	Collateral Duty/Out of Billet MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
Cyber IT/CSWF Incident Response	Collateral Duty/Out of Billet MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
Cyber IT/CSWF Vulnerability Assessment and Management	Collateral Duty/Out of Billet MOS	Some	COOL Bucks

The following civilian occupations are related to this credential:

	Civilian Job	Job Family	Bright Outlook	Registered Apprenticeship	Local Salary Info
	Information Security Analysts	Computer and Mathematical	Bright Outlook	Apprenticeship	find local salary

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

Credential Prerequisite
Experience
Education
Training
Membership
Other
Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

Exam
Written Exam
Oral Exam
Practical Exam
Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

In-person exam
Remote proctored on-line exam
Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 4 years

Continuing Education
Exam
Continuing Education OR Exam
Fee
Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

11200 Rockville Pike
Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852

Phone: (301) 654-7267

Fax: (301) 951-0140
Email: info@giac.org

Other REQUIREMENTS

The GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) credential has the following other requirements:

All GIAC certification holders agree to abide by the GIAC Code of Ethics.

Written Exam

Access Control and Password Management
Active Defense
Contingency Plans
Critical Controls
Cryptography
Crptography Algorithms and Deployment
Cryptography Application
Defense in Depth
Defensible Network Architecture
Endpoint Security
Enforcing Windows Security Policy
Incident Handling and Response
IT Risk Management
Linux Security: Structure, Permissions and Access
Linux Services: Hardening and Securing
Linux: Monitoring and Attack Detection
Linux: Security Utilities
Virtualization and Cloud Security
Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing
Web Communication Security
Windows Access Controls
Windows as a Service
Windows Automation, Auditing, and Forensics
Windows Security Infrastructure
Wireless Network Security

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) examination:

Best Sources

General References

Related Courses
- GIAC SANS Security Essentials Bootcamp Style

Related Training
- SANS Institute Self-Study Program

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor

For more information on the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) testing process, visit the agency website.

Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:

Pearson VUE

The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.

To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:

RECERTIFICATION

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) credential has the following recertification information:

GIAC certifications are valid for four years. Certification holders are required to submit a total of 36 CPEs for each GIAC certification renewal or may take the current exam. Additional information can be found in the GIAC Certification Renewal How-To Guide.

Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).