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Certification Profile: GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator

October 27, 2015

In a recent meeting for our professional development association, Think IT, our Chicago Opportunity Management group members discussed the topic, Are You Staying Current in a Changing Industry? One of the takeaways from that meeting was that obtaining certifications to increase your skillset and differentiate yourself from others in the industry is a good way to do so. In that vein, IT security is an area where staying current is incredibly important in order to protect your organizations from those data breaches thatseem to be occurring everywhere.

This leads us into the GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN) credential. If you are a security professional responsible for installing, managing, and securing Microsoft Windows operating systems and applications, then this certification is just for you! Keep reading to understand more about this certification, and the doors this certification may open.

The GCWN certification provides the foundation, skills, and abilities to secure Microsoft Windows clients and servers. Technologies for this include:

  • Dynamic Access Control
  • Group Policy
  • IPSec
  • RADIUS
  • BitLocker
  • PowerShell

Pesky malware and other intrusive software can cause havoc for any organization, and having the ability to put security measurements into place can help prevent hacks.  While there isn’t any specific training required for the certification, there is a proctored exam that requires a minimum passing score of 66%. There are various training resources available, and experience is beneficial. Candidates should be familiar with Windows 7, Server 2008-R2, Windows 8.1, and Server 2012-R.

CIO.com compiled a “hot list” of 10 IT Certifications that Deliver Higher Pay and GCWN ranked among the list leaders. “This is a broad and complex certification that a successful Windows engineer should have. It is in no way an easy exam and truly validates a strong engineer skill set across all aspects of Windows security. Our own engineers have tried for this exam several times. It is challenging and a high bar to meet.”  Being up-to date on security protocol and equipped with the knowledge to safely secure technologies is a critical skillset organizations are seeking.

Check out our other certification profiles here! 

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Posted By: Anastasia Hoosman

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