The GCFA (GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst) is a security certification that proves that the owner can competently carry out forensic and incident investigations in organizations.
GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst certification is maintained by the SANS Institute (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security).
The GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) is an advanced-level certification designed for professionals working in information security, incident response, and computer forensics fields. It certifies that applicants have the skills needed to gather and analyze data from Windows and Linux computer systems. And, it proves their expertise to perform formal incident investigations and deal with advanced incident handling scenarios, comprising internal and external data breach intrusions, high-level persistent threats, anti-forensic techniques employed by attackers, and complicated digital forensic cases. There are no prerequisites for this GIAC certification. Candidates must pass a written exam.
GIAC Forensic Analysts are top-notch investigators at the time of computer intrusion breaches throughout the enterprise. They can help determine and secure affected systems even if the opponent utilizes anti-forensic techniques. Using advanced technologies such as registry analysis, file system timeline analysis, and memory inspection, GCFAs are experts at seeking unknown malware, rootkits, and data that the attackers thought had removed from the system.
This certification will guarantee you have a solid understanding of well-developed incident response and computer forensics tools and methods to examine data breach intrusions, tech-savvy fraud employees, leading-edge persistent threats, and complicated digital forensic cases.
GCFA certification evaluates knowledge that is not targeting only law enforcement professionals, but for organizational and corporate incident response and investigation teams that have diverse legal or statutory requirements contrary to a standard law enforcement forensic investigation.
Why Choose the GCFA – GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst Certification Over Other Forensic Certifications?
- SANS and GIAC regularly upgrade the Computer Forensic course and certification information to put you on top of advanced techniques, legal precedents, and methodologies employed to solve the crime.
- GIAC Forensic Analyst uses hands-on, real-world incident, and forensic scenarios to gauge your forensic analysis skills.
- The GCFA certification measures not only law enforcement legal information but also a profound understanding of civilian legal statutes and regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB), the Health Insurance Portability, Accountability Act (HIPAA), and many more.
- SANS Certified analysts have a solid grasp of Electronic Evidence Discovery (EED) and how to practice their skills in responding to EED requests.
How to Prepare for GCFA Exam
Create a Study Plan
Before sitting down to pick up a book and start studying for the GCFA certification exam, create a study plan. It will not only help you keep a proper study schedule but also get a more distinct scene of what requires to be done and when. List down topics you need to study, sort out the high-priorities of studying each subject, plan out several days before the exam and commit to each topic with a strategic perspective, plan the study hours per day, plan out group study time and breaks, etc. that will be useful. Following a study plan will inevitably guide one saving a substantial amount of time and effort that would have instead been consumed unwittingly worrying and freaking out.
Understand the GCFA Exam Syllabus
First, be sure you thoroughly understand the GCFA exam syllabus. If it’s in the course books, it’s entitled to be in the exam.
Bear in mind that even if you have many years of experience, you require to study the material as the course refers to the theory and models behind behavior change.
Index Your Course Books
All GIAC certification exams are an open book. That is why we advise that you underline, mark, and make notes in your books during the course. Even better, it is advised to index your books so you can quickly find and reference critical points, such as models and frameworks included in the materials.
Take Practice Test
From time-to-time during the revision process, you must measure your learning. To figure out how effective your preparation is, you require to take GCFA practice tests. Doing so allows you to evaluate what you have learned. It will help you determine strengths and weaknesses so that you study accordingly.
Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask or help from GCFA certified professionals – they’ll be happy to help.
If you need clarification on a topic you’re facing difficulty, then ask them to explain it to you and make you understand. Don’t panic in silence when there’s a lot of online communities and forums just a click away.
On the day of the exam, be focused, take your time, and read the questions carefully. Preparedness is the key to passing the GIAC GCFA certification exam.
