RE: GIAC Dilution

["Joshua Berry" <jberry () PENSON COM>]

I am glad that I am not the only one feeling a little shafted with the
announcement that the practical requirement of the GIAC is going away?
My opinion was that the practical on top of the tests is what gave this
certification a lot of value.  I think it takes away from the people
already certified to remove that requirement and also takes away from
organizations looking to hire security staff because now it is just
another paper cert.  Most of the other people that took that
certification work full-time and found the time to do it (obviously
everyone can't but there has to be some sort of compromise).

I think it would be better to divide the certifications into two levels,
one where you just pass the tests, and the other where you take a
practical.  So you could be a L1 GIAC Intrusion Analyst after taking the
tests), and become an L2 GIAC Intrusion Analyst after passing the
practical.

I feel like I wasted several months writing a paper for a certification
that now means little more than the CISSP and MCSE as far as technical
knowledge and skill are concerned.



-----Original Message-----
From: Aman Raheja [mailto:araheja () techquotes com] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 11:33 AM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: GIAC Dilution

I would really like this topic to be more flooded with opinions.
It is indeed sad that this exam organizer (corp) has decided to make 
more money rather than give certification to people who really deserve.
I was planning to take this exam as well. I am not sure, if this is 
going to be equivalent to a Securoty+ now, which is cheaper and probably

would have the same market value - both being only exam based certs.
My next step would be CISSP but that's a way to go, though I already 
have enough experience to take that exam.
Nevertheless, some one mentioned that GIAC is going to drop pricing. Any

pointers to that ?
Thanks
Aman Raheja
http://www.techquotes.com


adeel hussain wrote:

> Hello Everyone,
>
> I agree with you all in regards to the certification loosing it's
> prestige and meaning.  I do think that the certification will still
> have some meaning as a representation of security knowledge just not
> waht it once was.
>
> As I understand it there will no longer be a option to complete the
> practical so all certs from this point on will be exam only.  The
> distinction between the exam only and practical versions will be
> unknown to the general masses and will even blur over time with those
> that currently know the difference.
>
> I think GIAC, and possibly SANS, will have to drop there prices a bit
> to reflect the reduced value of the cert.  I for one was working on a
> practical prior to signing up for the certification attempt.  That
> practical will no longer be required and the work will go to waste. 
> Perhaps I will publish it anyway in addition to applying it's message
> to my organization.
>
> Having said that I do plan on attaining the GSEC.  If they drop the
> prices I may go for more certs before people catch on that the value
> has depreciated.  As was stated previously "ride the wave".
>
> The time of the seasoned proffesional is now behind us..... roll on
> the paper GIAC certs
>
> Adeel
>
>
>